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Home /  Appliance Maintenance / 6 Signs That Your Air Conditioning System Is Not Working
last_updated_date Last updated: September 25, 2023

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6 Signs That Your Air Conditioning System Is Not Working

It’s actually not difficult to tell if your air conditioning system is in need of repairs. But sometimes inexperienced homeowners might wonder whether the air conditioner is not working. At other times, homeowners might feel that when their system is showing signs that it needs repairs. If your ac is not working properly, it is better to look after the problem before it gets worse.

6 Signs That Your Air Conditioning System Is In Need Of Repairs

When summer heat strikes, the best way to fight back is to turn on your air conditioner. Air conditioning keeps you cool over the summer, and with usual maintenance, your air conditioner ought to perform efficiently even during the hottest months. In case your air conditioner is not functioning as it should, it may be in need of expert attention. You should always call a qualified repair professional as soon as you decide that your air conditioner is not working properly. You need to determine whether you should repair or replace your air-conditioner based on the age, type and the amount of usage. To know more about home appliances check out our Home Appliance Warranty section.

An Expert Diagnostic Air Conditioning Repair includes:

  1. Visual inspection of all A/C components
  2. Full system performance test
  3. State of charge and system control tests
  4. Leak test, using an approved-leak detector
  5. Dye detection test (if a slow leak is difficult to detect)

In case the AC is not working, you should schedule an air conditioning repair to ensure your AC system is working at maximum efficiency is always a good idea when facing the hot final weeks of summer.

6 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repairs

Some of the signs are fairly obvious, while others are more subtle. Knowing the warning signs will help you search for professional service before the problems with air conditoner get out of control.

1. No Cool Air

No Cool Air

At some point, you may find that your air conditioning system simply isn’t doing its job. Even at full blast, the air coming from your vents just isn’t as cold as it used to be – or isn’t cold at all. This could be a sign that your system is need of serious repair as its blowing hot air. So, how to tell if home ac compressor is bad? 

For instance, the lack of cool air could mean that your system’s compressor has failed. It could also mean that you’re your system’s Freon levels are too low. When that time comes, you might have to replace the unit. You should know a thing or two about replacing the ac compressor.

2. Poor Air Flow

If you are noticing weak or little airflow through your AC vents, the unit’s compressor may be failing. In case certain areas or rooms in your home are getting cold air while others are not, then the trouble might be with your ductwork and it’s a sign that your AC system needs urgent repair.

Over time, debris can get stuck in your air conditioning vents. Not only does this obstructs airflow, but it also presents a health risk to you and your family. Having your air conditioner’s ducts cleaned is a great way to restore airflow and ensure that your AC system is working well when you need it the most.

3. Thermostat Problems

At times the trouble is not with the air conditioning unit, but with the thermostat itself. One way to tell if your thermostat is a problem is if one part of your house is very cold while another part remains at the same temperature. Another sign is when your HVAC is set for 70, but the temperature is off by around 10 degrees.

4. Moisture Where It Shouldn’t Be

Moisture Where It Shouldn't Be

Moisture or leakage around or near your system can be an indication of problems. When you see leaks from your air conditioning system, it can mainly because of two reasons.

In the most serious cases, the leak could be refrigerant. Refrigerant leaks can cause serious health risks to you and your family and need to be repaired at once. You must call an air conditioning repair expert right away.

So, you have a broken air conditioner?

Water pools adjacent to your air conditioner might show that the drain tube which disposes of the air conditioner condensation is either blocked or broken. This is not as serious an issue but should be tackled quickly to avoid other less important problems like mold growth and rust.

5. Strange Sounds

Squealing, grating, grinding sounds from your air conditioner might be a sign that you need a replacement unit. These noises imply that something is wrong inside the unit. Failure to service the unit could result in a pricy breakdown.

A squealing noise means that the belt has slipped out of place. It may also indicate that a metal component in your air conditioner requires more lubrication. A grinding sound may mean that your motor’s bearings are broken.

6. Strange Odors

Pungent or foul smells from your air conditioning vents normally mean that your conditioner’s wire insulation has burned out. Musty smells generally indicate that there is mold inside your unit or ductwork which must be taken care of without delay.

Apart from these 6 signs that are directly related to your HVAC unit, there is one other red light that you’re missing. Additionally, you can learn about these 10 air-conditioning maintenance issues.

High Electricity Bills

Your HVAC consumes the largest amount of electricity in your home. If your electricity bills have spiked since last season, there’s a high chance that your air conditioning unit needs to be checked up.

In order to keep away from these issues, it is important to maintain your air conditioning system on a regular basis. It is a costly appliance and must be cared for to add to its lifespan and lessen the need for pricey repairs.

Even if your unit doesn’t need replacement, getting it repaired or serviced can boost up its efficiency and save you money.

Most repairs on air conditioners are quite simple, like an air filter replacement. But homeowners frequently avoid calling a technician as they fear a large bill. In case your AC unit is new, you may find that the repair is covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. Even if it is not, it is good to fix a small problem quickly than to delay and let it grow into a larger problem. Similarly, you should learn about appliances that can break down in summer and cost you.

How to Avoid Huge Repair Bills?

You can avoid huge repair bills by maintaining your unit and calling a professional to look at your air conditioning unit as soon as you suspect there to be a problem. If you wait for longer and hope for the problem to go away, it won’t. In fact, it could get worse. However, we all know that despite regular maintenance, most air conditioners conk in summer. This is when they are run for long hours without a break.

There is a second option that can help you avoid huge repair bills even if the first option doesn’t work. It involves paying only a service charge that costs less than $100, it’s called a home warranty policy. Home Warranty policies cover the repairs and replacements of major home systems and a list of appliances that are used on a daily basis. It only covers those costs that are caused by regular wear and tear. It does not cover repair costs that occur due to lack of maintenance. Home Warranty policies start at $239 and sometimes even lesser. But it is important to make sure that the company that you plan to select not only has a cost-efficient premium but also good reviews from its customers.

 It’s vital that you also know lots more about home warranty coverage before opting for a company of your choice. You can also leave a comment and we will be more than happy to clarify your queries. How Do Air Conditioners Work?

Air Conditioners use chemicals which convert from gas to liquid and back again. These chemicals transfer the heat from the air inside your property to the outside air. There are three key parts which include the compressor, evaporator, and condenser.

Why is Central Air Not Working?

If the Central AC is not working at all, then you should turn the circuit breaker all the way off then switch it on. If there is still a problem then reset the breaker by turning it off and then on or replace the fuse. Usually, a central air conditioner connects to its own 240-volt circuit.

Should You Replace Air Conditioning Compressor?

The compressor would need to be replaced in a home air-conditioning unit if it is used often. If you have issues with your air conditioning unit then you might have diagnosed that its a problem with the compressor which needs a replacement air conditioner compressor in place.

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