Tags – Signs Air Conditioning Unit Is Faulty
Picture this: it’s an extremely hot and muggy day, you’re about to switch your air conditioning unit on, only to find out it’s not working properly – great!
Unfortunately, air conditioning problems seem to happen at the most inconvenient time.
And, having a system that works properly is important for both comfort and health.
Generally speaking, most problems can be easily handled with regular AC maintenance and servicing, which will help to avoid any last-minute, costly repairs.
In other words, by identifying small issues early on, you can fix these before they become big problems.
That said, here are 5 tell-tale signs that your air conditioning unit is faulty.
1. It’s Blowing Warm Air
If your air conditioning unit is blowing out warm air instead of cold, there may be an issue with the thermostat or a refrigerant leak.
Luckily, neither is impossible to fix and may not cost you too much either.
However, you will need to identify the problem first.
So, if your rooms are not being cooled, check the thermostat to ensure it’s working properly and set it at the right temperature.
And, if everything is fine with your thermostat, you may have a leak which will need to be seen by an HVAC professional.
2. Weak Air Flow
Unlike the sign above, if there is cool air coming from your vents, that’s a good sign.
However, if there’s not much air coming out, then that’s not.
Generally, you should feel a steady flow of air coming out the vents, that’s strong enough to feel with your hand from 8-12 inches away.
Simply, weak air flow is a tell-tale sign that your air conditioner unit is not working efficiently, or that there may be a blockage that is causing the air to come out very weakly, making it impossible to circulate through the room.
For instance, this could be due to a clogged air filter, a broken motor or the fan control board could be at fault.
Regardless of what is causing a weak air flow, you will need to get it fixed so it can return back to normal.
3. Unusual Noises
Is your air conditioning starting to randomly make unusual noises and strange sounds?
Well, these sounds could be literally anything: it could be a loose belt in the cooling system or a broken part that’s causing banging sounds.
No matter what it sounds like, if you ever hear screeching, banging or clicking, or any other noises that seem out of the ordinary, you should shut your unit down as soon as possible.
Usually, when your air conditioning unit is switched on, you shouldn’t hear anything at all.
But, if it’s beginning to make more sounds than normal, you should be suspicious that something’s not quite right.
4. Bad Smells
Your air conditioning unit should not be emitting any smells, let alone bad ones.
So, if you smell something strange, it’s likely there’s a problem.
For example, a rotten egg smell could indicate a natural gas leak, which can be dangerous if left unseen to.
On the other hand, a burning smell could be the result of electrical equipment or the motor overheating, which could result in an electrical fire.
Lastly, a musty smell may occur due to moisture build up in the ducts; if the ducts are clogged it collects and holds moisture, resulting in mold and mildew.
5. Water Leaks
In order to cool down the room, your air conditioning unit relies on refrigerant.
Sometimes, this may produce condensation as it operates, but these liquids should never build up or leak out.
Therefore, if you notice an active leak or pooled water around your unit, it’s a good indication that it is not functioning properly, and that there’s an issue with the condensate drain.
If this is the case, you should contact a professional immediately; refrigerant leaks are poisonous and leaks can lead to serious structural issues.
Wrapping Up
If you’ve noticed any of these signs above, there’s a strong chance your air conditioning unit will require maintenance and repair.
And keeping an eye out for these signs will act as useful reminders of how to quickly recognise a problem and help avoid replacing the unit altogether.
But aside from these, if your unit is over 10 years old, it may just be that it has exceeded its lifespan.
All in all, many problems can be avoided if you service your air conditioning unit regularly, and never try your hand at DIY repairs – always call a professional.
Please get in touch today to find out more.
In the meantime, check our Air Conditioning Leicester solutions.
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