Several weeks back, we mentioned how important it was for you to schedule your next AC maintenance appointment. This is the best way to ensure that it is ready to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible throughout the summer. The official start of summer may be right around the corner, but unless your AC has completely broken down, it’s not too late to schedule that tune-up.
Regardless of whether you have scheduled this or not, however, old age can play a factor in repair needs, and it’s always a good idea to know how to spot the need for repairs in your system. One of the biggest signs failing air conditioners make is noisy operation. But what noises are we referring to, and why should you care? Read on!
Your AC Is Hissing or Gurgling
Depending on where in the system this problem is occurring, it can resemble the sound of hissing or gurgling. What is this “it” we’re referring to? A refrigerant leak. What happens when refrigerant is leaving your system is that air bubbles form within the line, and whether it’s in liquid form or gas form at the time, it will create a gurgling or hissing noise.
There’s a fairly common misconception among homeowners that refrigerant is something that’s consumed by an air conditioner like gasoline is consumed by a car. This simply isn’t the case, however. Upon manufacturing, your air conditioner is supplied with enough refrigerant to ideally last its entire lifespan. So if the system is losing refrigerant, it means you have a leak.
Leaks are a lot more problematic than you may realize, leading first to low cooling power and then many other subsequent problems. If you suspect you have this problem, it’s time to give us a call!
Your AC Is Making a Grinding Noise
There is a component of your air conditioner called the air handler, which is responsible for circulating air throughout your home while the system is running. The air handler motor is put under a lot of stress, and to help it cope, your system has a number of oiled bearings.
But over time, these bearings will wear down, and the friction on the air handler motor will increase. This can cause that grinding noise you hear coming from the motor. If you do detect this noise, it’s time to call us for repairs. The bearings will need to be replaced before your cooling system has a chance to overheat and burn out.
Your Air Conditioner Is Rapidly Cycling On and Off
This process is called short-cycling and is not only the symptom of a problem, but the cause of problems with your air conditioner. Short-cycling doesn’t allow your air conditioner to complete a full cooling cycle, meaning it operates very inefficiently, and the rate at which your air conditioner will wear down is increased.
If short-cycling is allowed to go on for too long, the cooling system will be more and more likely to experience other problems like shortened lifespan, increased repair needs, and overall inefficient performance.
Short-cycling and the above-mentioned noises are just some of the sounds to be aware of. A good rule of thumb is that if your air conditioner starts making any noise you’re not used to hearing from it, it’s probably time to call a pro!
Reach out to Dayco Systems today for quality air conditioning services.
