An AC unit should last you over a decade. However, if you don’t properly maintain your system, it will fall into disrepair much sooner than that. This is why it is vital to stay on top of your air conditioning problems before they get worse. We want to equip you with the knowledge to solve AC issues on your own especially if they have easy fixes.
With the summer season in full swing, now is the best time to really understand what’s going on with your AC, so you can rest assured that your system is going to work well.
Poor Airflow
Your air conditioner needs great airflow for it to do its job. If air is staying trapped in your ducts or worse never leaving the unit, your AC will be running without adequately impacting the temperature in your home.
So, what are the potential reasons that your AC has little to no airflow? Let’s start by ruling out one of the simplest problems to fix—electrical problems. Your AC needs electricity to function well. The fan, in particular, is one of the biggest consumers of electricity in your AC system and if things aren’t functioning properly, the fan motor may be impacted. Check your fuse box or circuit breaker to make sure you’re getting proper electrical flow throughout your entire home.
It’s important to recognize how much of your home’s infrastructure is interconnected in a lot of ways. Don’t just hyper-focus on the AC unit itself when it could be a problem in another area.
There are other potential causes of low airflow to keep an eye out for. One could be a mechanical issue with the fan motor. If it’s getting enough electricity, it should run just fine. If you’ve ruled out electrical problems, it may be time to take a look at the system itself. It could be as simple as a frayed out belt.
Lastly, if everything seems to be normal, you’ll want to check on your vents and ducts. You probably won’t have air leaks in your ducts that are so bad that your airflow is impacted. Still, this is a possibility. You’ll also want to inspect your vents and specifically your air filters. If these are clogged up because you haven’t switched them out, then airflow can absolutely be impacted.
I Have Great Airflow, But the Air Isn’t Cold
This problem may have an extremely easy solution. Let’s rule that one out before going any further. Check your thermostat’s fan setting. You should pretty much always leave it on the “auto” setting. If your fan is currently set at “on”, this might be your problem. With this setting, your fan will always run even if the temperature isn’t being lowered. This is why the air coming from your vents might seem lukewarm.
If this isn’t the issue, there’s always the possibility that there is an actual problem with your AC. For example, you may have a problem with a refrigerant leak, which is a dangerous situation that requires a professional to assist you.
The important thing is to recognize the simple causes of your AC problems before moving on to troubleshooting other issues.
My Air Conditioner Makes a Lot of Noise
Every machine is going to make some noise. There are plenty of moving parts inside your air conditioner because it is a machine. Still, some noises can be a signal that something is off! Your fan belt should make a low hum at most, not a screeching noise. Loud bangs and bumps in the night are other signs that something has gone wrong.
The most important thing is to get a sense of what is normal and to not brush a new noise aside. It might be the one warning sign you need to know that your AC needs fixing.
My AC Stinks
We hope your air conditioner doesn’t stink in the sense that it doesn’t work. Although you may want to see us about that as well. By “stinks”, we mean that your AC is producing nauseating smells like sulfur or mildew. This is likely something in your ducts that needs immediate attention. It could be a dead animal or mold in your ductwork.
Your AC requires you to stay vigilant with your eyes, ears, and nose to catch problems before they spiral out of control!
If you find yourself needing HVAC repair or replacement, contact the experts at Sunset Heating & Cooling today at (503) 500-5866 or you can fill out a convenient online contact form. We are taking the COVID-19 crisis very seriously and are taking the utmost care to keep you and your family healthy and protected while we work.
