Many of us take our HVAC system for granted, failing to appreciate that our air conditioner is working hard during the hottest parts of the year to keep comfortable and cool. Unfortunately, this can make it an unpleasant surprise when a breakdown occurs, but your air conditioner may have been giving you signs of an impending emergency for days, weeks or even months. So, if you want to avoid being stuck in a hot home waiting for an emergency repair, here are some signs that you may have an impending problem.
Strange Noises:
You are likely to have become familiar with the level and type of noises your air conditioner makes when it is working. While no air conditioner unit is silent, over time, you will get to know the noises associated with your particular model. Your air conditioner should not be exceedingly intrusive or loud. If you hear strange or loud noises when your air conditioner starts up, it is a sign that there is existing damage or an impending problem that at best is compromising efficiency and at worst could trigger a complete breakdown. One of the best ways to avoid a cooling emergency is to call your HVAC technician if you hear any screeching, squealing, squeaking, grinding or banging noises when you turn on your air conditioner. By scheduling a repair appointment as soon as you notice any strange noises, you can take some proactive action to prevent your entire system from grinding to a halt.
Short Cycling:
When your air conditioner is operating correctly, it will periodically turn off and on as it cools your home. This cycling process saves energy as the mechanical components of the air conditioner are shut down when the desired temperature has been reached. In the hottest days of summer, your air conditioner is likely to run for longer periods, working most of the day as it compensates for the greater temperature differential between the sunny, hot weather outdoors and your comfort level indoors.
When your air conditioner is not operating as it should, you may experience short cycling. This is the term used to describe a system that more frequently flips on and off. In a worst case scenario, your air conditioner may be turning off and on every few minutes. This not only affects performance, but compromises energy efficiency. The system will be using far more energy as it activates and shuts down more often than necessary. If your air conditioner has started to short cycle and isn’t staying active for more than a few minutes at a time, it has developed a significant problem, and there is an impending emergency.
When the hot, summer weather is approaching, you need to have complete confidence that your air conditioner is ready to handle the challenging conditions. Fortunately, you can take a proactive approach and watch for any signs of an impending problem. This will allow you to call in your HVAC technician and reduce the risk of a breakdown, saving you time, money and frustration.