When our average summer temperatures hover in the 90s, your AC might be your best friend. So when something seems off about it, you don’t want to ignore it and hope for the best. But how do you know for sure when you need to call for repair?
Some common signs indicate something is wrong with your AC — knowing what to look and listen for can give you a head’s-up that something’s wrong. Calling in an expert when you first notice a problem might just save it from turning into a more serious and costlier problem.
Decreased Airflow
If your AC is turning out nice, cool air, but the air doesn’t seem to be flowing as powerfully, there could be one of several causes. Check your filter first – dust and debris can clog a filter. If it hasn’t been changed in the past few months or is visibly dirty, it could slow your airflow.
If changing your filter doesn’t work, you may have a problem that’s not as easy to fix yourself. Decreased airflow can also be caused by blower problems, blocked or leaking air ducts, or frozen evaporator coils.
No Cooling Power
Check your thermostat first if the air is flowing but you’re not cooling down. Sometimes the simplest solution is also the right solution. If that’s good, take a look at the filter. A clogged filter can cause several problems. If your filter is clean, the problem may need an expert. The problem could be a clogged or frozen condenser coil, leaky ducts, or a refrigerant leak.
Cycling On and Off
When your AC keeps turning on and off rapidly throughout the day, it’s called short-cycling. It’s inefficient and causes unnecessary wear and tear on your system. Short-cycling could mean the system may have low refrigerant, a dirty compressor unit, miscalibrated thermostats, or other mechanical problems. It could also mean your AC unit is the wrong size for your home. An expert HVAC technician can diagnose the exact cause of your problem.
Unexpected Noises
The only sound you want to hear from your AC is the soothing whoosh of cool air moving through your air ducts. If you hear a grinding, hissing, rattling, or other unpleasant and unusual sounds, your unit could have a refrigerant leak, a loose component, or other mechanical problem. Your AC needs attention from an expert who can locate and fix the problem.
Higher Energy Bills
If your energy bills increase dramatically and unexpectedly, your unit is not running as efficiently as it should. There are many possible causes of a loss of efficiency, like failing parts, poor maintenance, or an old system that’s simply no longer doing its job. If your unit isn’t old, but your bills are higher than expected, give us a call.
JD’S Keeps You Cooler
When you know something’s wrong with your AC, but you aren’t sure what, an expert HVAC technician should be your first call.
For professional air conditioning service in Lubbock, TX, contact JD’s Prompt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
