The official end of summer is right around the corner, and soon it will be time to start thinking about our heating systems (in fact, if you haven’t scheduled heating maintenance, it’s not too soon!) You’ve probably been using your air conditioner frequently over the last few months, and the last thing you need now is a sudden breakdown or huge repair need when you still need the air conditioner itself.
The good news is, most air conditioning repairs show symptoms well before they force your system to shut down. So if you notice anything now, it’s a good idea to give us a call. This way, you can rely on your air conditioning system not only for the rest of this season, but again when you begin using it next year as temps warm up again.
Remember, a faulty air conditioner should only ever be inspected and repaired by trained and experienced professionals. This is because they have potentially dangerous components such as refrigerant. But, you can definitely spot the symptoms that it’s time to call in a pro. We’ve covered some of the most common below!
Call Us When You Notice These Signs
- A Decline in Airflow: There is a problem when cooled air isn’t moving through your vents with the speed or power you are used to. It typically means that air is trapped somewhere within your system, which can cause the coils to freeze. It could, alternatively, mean that you have ductwork damage and conditioned air is escaping into unoccupied spaces. Reduced airflow is not only a symptom of a problem, but it’s a problem on its own as it won’t be able to keep you cool.
- Low Cooling Power: So let’s say the airflow seems strong, but the air seems lukewarm. Factors such as refrigerant leaks, overheating components, or—again—ductwork damage, can all contribute to a decreased ability to cool your living space. Reduced cooling is similar to reduced airflow in that it’s both a symptom of a problem and a problem in itself. It will ultimately cause your air conditioner to work harder than it should have to in order to keep you cool, which is inefficient.
- Short-Cycling: This is when an air conditioning system turns on and off rapidly without ever running for very long. Your air conditioner uses more energy turning on and turning off than it does simply running, so you want yours to run for at least 15 minutes at a time. Otherwise, it’s usually a sign of something seriously wrong.
- Strange Sounds: This counts as anything that’s outside the norm of what you typically hear coming from your air conditioner. It might include humming, moaning, buzzing, clanging, or hissing. If you notice any of these sounds, the best thing you can do for your cooling system is call in an HVAC repair pro right away. Especially since some noises can indicate a particularly dangerous problem (i.e. buzzing indicates an electrical problem!)
Contact Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today for professional, reliable air conditioning repair in Evanston, IL.