Were you aware that near the end of summer is the most likely time for an air conditioner to break down in your Georgia home? This is especially true if you skipped maintenance this year, and/or if your system is aging. That is, your system is 10-15 years old. Let’s face it, no air conditioner lasts forever!
If your system is on the newer side though, that doesn’t mean it’s immune to problems. Natural wear and tear can create problems, as can weather events when it comes to your outdoor unit. It’s essential that you be aware of the signs of a problem so that you know when to call us! One issue that may occur with your air conditioner is a problem with one of the fans. Your central air conditioning system has two–the blower fan and the exhaust fan. Below are some FAQ’s about these fans. Read on, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!
FAQ #1: What causes an AC fan to stop working?
Have you heard of a capacitor? Your air conditioner has two types of this electrical component. One is called a start capacitor, and the other is called a run capacitor. The start capacitor is tasked with signaling your air conditioner’s fan motors to start up, while the run capacitor keeps them going.
When a capacitor fails–which is a natural part of wear and tear–your blower or exhaust fan may stop functioning. Fortunately, this is a relatively simple repair need for our team, and if you give us a call we can take care of it right away for you!
Another thing that can stop one of your AC fans from working is if the lubrication has worn out on the motor bearings, causing the motor to overheat and shut down. You’d likely know this was happening already though, because of the symptoms your air conditioner would have, which we’ll get to in the next FAQ!
FAQ #2: How do I know if my AC motor fan is bad?
You can typically tell that the motor to one of your AC fans is going bad a couple of ways. One way is that you may hear a sound that resembles screeching or squealing. This probably means that the lubrication is wearing out on the motor, and that the motor bearings need to be replaced.
The other way to potentially tell if your AC fan motor is going bad is if you smell an acrid odor. This can mean your motor is actually overheating due to the increased friction. Please shut your air conditioner off right away and give our team a call if you notice this problem!
FAQ #3: How long does an AC fan motor last?
The average lifespan for a well-maintained air conditioner is about 10-15 years. Similarly, that’s the average lifespan for an AC motor fan. You’ll want to stay on top of your annual AC maintenance appointments to ensure this is the case. We will make sure that your fan motors are kept as clean and cooled as possible so that they can last this long!
FAQ #4: Will the AC fan run if the compressor is bad?
It can! Your compressor is where the refrigerant goes to be compressed in order to deliver chilled air into your home. If the compressor fails, the rest of the air conditioner, including the fans, might still run if none of the other components are impacted, but you won’t feel the cool air. You’ll probably feel lukewarm or even hot air coming through your vents.
FAQ #5: Why is my AC fan making noises?
As we mentioned above, you might hear a screeching or squealing sound if the lubrication is wearing off the AC fan motor. You’ll want to have this taken care of right away! Your AC fans may also make clicking or rattling noises if they become loose or damaged. If you ever hear your air conditioner making unfamiliar noises, it’s never a bad idea to call us for an inspection!
For quality air conditioning repair in Canton, GA, look no further than Dayco Systems. Contact us today!
