While the rest of the country gears up for heating season, we have just a bit more warm weather before the days start to really get cold. While you’re using your air conditioner these last few weeks, remember to keep your eyes open for any and all signs that the system is in trouble. You don’t want to have to deal with a full air conditioning breakdown right at the end of the summer, do you? That’s why it’s best that you catch any developing problems as early as possible so they can be repaired.
Leaking Fluid
If you notice any fluid dripping from your air conditioner, it’s a good idea to call for repairs as soon as you can. That fluid might be refrigerant, and a refrigerant leak can cripple your air conditioner if it isn’t addressed. Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to absorb heat inside the home and release it outside. The lower the level of refrigerant in the system drops, the less able the air conditioner will be to cool your home. Eventually, this can lead to a full system breakdown.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your air conditioner turns itself off before it can complete a full cooling cycle. This prevents your air conditioner from properly cooling your home, but it also increases the rate at which the system wears down. The longer the air conditioner short cycles, the more likely it’s going to be to break down in other ways. If your air conditioner is short cycling, make sure you call for repairs as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may have to replace the entire system.
Grinding
If you hear a grinding noise coming from your air conditioner, you probably need to have a professional check out the air handler. The air handler is the part of your air conditioner that blows air throughout the ducts during operation. It’s basically a motor with a fan attached to it. Inside the motor are a number of oiled bearings, designed to reduce stress on the system during operation. As those bearings in the motor wear down, the stress on the air handler motor will increase until it starts to make a grinding sound. If the bearings are not replaced soon after that, the motor will burn out and need to be replaced.
Booming
If your furnace is making a loud booming noise every time it starts up, it’s likely suffering from delayed ignition. As the burner assembly in the furnace burns gas, carbon particles build up on the jets. Eventually, this carbon buildup will become severe enough that it will cause the jets to fire later than they are supposed to. Professional cleaning will solve the issue, but you should schedule it soon. If you don’t, the assembly could clog completely and prevent the furnace from operating.
The A/C Guy of Tampa Bay Inc. provides a full range of air conditioning repair services. If you’re looking for the best Tampa, FL AC repair professionals, we’ve got your back. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional technicians.