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Air conditioning units are one of the most critical appliances most especially in summer. Whenever your cooling system suddenly stops working in the middle of a hot summer day, your comfort will surely be interrupted.
We all know air conditioning repair jobs can be pretty expensive at times. Not to mention the discomfort that it could cause if you have chosen the wrong HVAC company to do the job. These repairs undoubtedly could cost you a considerable amount of money.
If you want to skip the lines and want to save on the cost, you may do some troubleshooting on your system before for professional help. Some minor A/C inspection and repairs can be done with precaution. Check out what those are below:
What Can I Do?
Sometimes, a malfunctioning air conditioner could root from the simplest issue to the most complicated cooling problem. Here’s what you can do if your A/C suddenly stopped working:
Inspect Your Switchboard
If your A/C unit does not work, one significant reason could be a malfunctioning switchboard. Most of the time, when this problem occurs, you will have to get your switchboard replaced. This is a simple task that you can do by purchasing the needed part and replacing it yourself.
Clean Your Filter
Over time, your A/C unit will gradually blow less air than it used to for the reason of filter problems. Air filters tend to have dust build-up that hinders your unit from producing the intended airflow.
Most of the time, your A/C unit has two sets of filters, the internal filter located at the front, and the cooling filters located at the outdoor part. If you open the front grill, you will see a filter that you can quickly remove. After that, you will now be able to clean the filter by washing it off and putting it back once done.
Poor airflow can lead to a lack of cooling efficiency that can lead to further cause of high energy consumption.
Check Your Ducts
Always check the inner and outer parts of your unit for dust build-up. Ensure that inside and outside of your unit’s coils are clean. You can clean them up by spraying pressurized water, but if it needs a more gentle approach, you can use a soft brush to remove the dirt on the coils by gently rubbing it.
Check For Ice Formation
Check your ducts to ensure that your A/C unit does not have any ice formation. You can do so by opening the front grill. If you can see signs of icing on the grill, it will be evident through the leakage in the cooling coils of your unit. This problem is best left to be addressed by your local A/C repair and maintenance in Winston-Salem, NC, as this requires complex fixes.
Signs That Show Your AC Needs Emergency Repair ASAP
1. Poor cooling of air
This is likely the most obvious sign that your air conditioner needs an emergency repair. The primary job of your AC is to maintain a cool indoor air temperature. If it’s not happening, it only means there could be one or several underlying issues that must be repaired ASAP before the whole unit breaks down and completely stops working.
Thus, if your air conditioner provides poor air cooling, don’t hesitate to contact the technicians immediately. For instance, if you’re in Texas, U.S., you can find an A/C repair West University Place, TX service or other AC repair companies based near your home. They will thoroughly inspect your unit to detect the root cause of the problem and do the necessary repairs as soon as possible.
2. Insufficient or weak airflow from your AC unit
Do you feel the cool temperature but notice that the strength of the airflow is too weak despite running the AC for long periods? You may be experiencing insufficient airflow from your unit. Poor airflow can happen for several reasons, such as:
- Leaky or blocked air ducts
- Clogged air filter
- Problems with the AC blower
- Frozen evaporator coils
Whatever the case, ensure to call for emergency repair immediately. Leaving this issue unfixed will result in higher electricity bills, forcing you to run your AC for even longer periods. It’s also recommended to schedule regular AC maintenance to avoid reoccurring issues, especially if the hotter months are coming. Watch the video below and learn the benefits and importance of a regular AC tune-up.
3. Loud and bizarre sounds
All air conditioning units are designed to operate quietly. They may make noise, but most of the time, it’s almost unnoticeable. However, if you’re starting to hear loud and bizarre sounds of squealing, grinding, hard growls, and rattling, it’s a warning sign that your unit calls for emergency repair.
Those strange sounds are produced when there are issues inside the unit, such as broken components, electrical malfunctioning, a damaged compressor, or loose belts. These problems must be repaired as soon as possible before the entire air conditioning system breaks down, which might lead to costly replacements.
4. Funky or unusual smell from the unit
A well-functioning AC isn’t supposed to stink or produce any smell. If it does, it only means something’s wrong, and your unit needs an emergency repair ASAP. A funky or pungent smell can indicate different problems, such as pest infiltration, burned-out wire insulation, or a possible mold growth somewhere in the unit or the ductwork.
The professionals must diagnose and repair this problem ASAP, as a stinky AC unit is a health hazard and can make you and the household members sick. So, never delay contacting the pros when this happens.
5. Thermostat issues
Sometimes, the problem isn’t in your AC unit but your thermostat. The thermostat is essential to your AC unit as it determines how much cool air should be generated. It measures the room’s current temperature and lets you set the temperature you need for the room.
However, if the displayed temperature doesn’t match the room’s actual temperature, the thermostat must be broken and requires immediate repair or replacement. Another thermostat issue is if your unit won’t turn on or runs for only short periods before turning itself off. In that case, you’ll need to call your AC technician for an emergency repair.
6. High electricity bills
Air conditioners take up about 6% of the electricity in the U.S., and they’re considered the largest energy consumer in the house. If you’re running your air conditioner regularly, it will likely take the same amount of electricity no matter what. However, if you notice that your energy bills suddenly spike one month compared to others when this wasn’t always true—your AC needs emergency repair.
Higher utility bills usually indicate that your AC wastes energy since its components work double as hard to satisfy the demand. The technicians must review your system to diagnose the issue that might have caused your unit to work harder and run longer.
Reasons Why A/C Repair Can’t Wait
You may not think of getting a service for your A/C as long as it provides you cool air. Remember, some costly issues start from being minor and tend to grow because of a lack of attention.
Here are the reasons why you should not delay A/C repair:
1. You’re Just Waiting for Future Problems
The fact here is that all HVAC problems can quickly start from being small. However, it’s understandable that there are several air conditioning problems, and each one varies in terms of its severity. These minor problems will eventually lead to actual damage to any air conditioning system if not appropriately addressed.
The longer you delay the air conditioning repair, the more likely it is for you to experience a much severe problem in the future. In the end, you are going to be dealing with a potential complete system failure. Getting an immediate A/C repair in Longview, TX, will help address and resolve any underlying problems.
2. You’re Just Wasting Money
If your air conditioning unit is not in its tip-top shape and not operating in its peak condition, chances are it is not running its peak efficiency. By overlooking early signs of HVAC problems, you may wind up paying more money for reduced cooling comfort. And that deal is one that you will lose.
Furthermore, you may think you are saving money for air conditioning repairs, but you are not. When things get out of hand, you will only take prompt action to address the issue. Wrong. Most probably, you’ll only be paying inflated energy bills and costly HVAC repairs. In the end, you’re just setting yourself up for a big financial problem.
3. You’re Only Decreasing Your System’s Lifespan
Several air conditioning problems share the same early stages warning signs. For example, refrigerant leaks and a dirty air filter could cause increased energy bills and could also ice up your system’s evaporator coil. But these two problems can pose different risks to your cooling system.
A filthy air filter can cause damage due to wear and tear and may cause it to short cycle. Meanwhile, if you keep your air conditioning unit operating on low refrigerant, it could cause you compressor failure. And when all things are said and done, you would eventually find yourself looking for a pricey A/C replacement. That is why it is best to get an A/C repair company, to have it checked and repaired as soon as possible.
When to Call For Professional A/C repair and maintenance in Winston-Salem, NC
No one does better than the experts. So in case you can’t managed to do these troubleshooting tips on your own, be sure to call your trusted HVAC pros in your local area. After all, they know better than you do.
If you need further assistance with your A/C unit, please feel free to call All About Care Heating & Air, Inc. The company is a team of HVAC specialists who work to keep their customers comfortable all year round.
Feel free to call them at (336) 771 – 9000 or visit WWW.allaboutcarehvac.com their website to schedule your appointment. Their trained and experienced technicians are available at any time of the day to serve your cooling needs.
