There are few things more frustrating than coming home on a sweltering day — only to discover that your AC unit isn’t working correctly. Now, instead of beating the heat in your private and cool oasis, you’re sweating while you try to figure out what’s wrong.
To help you figure it out, here are the 5 most common air conditioning problems you should be aware of.
1. AC Unit Is Blowing Warm Air
Since the whole point of an AC unit is to cool the air, it definitely defeats the purpose if it is blowing hot air instead.
The first step is to make sure your thermostat didn’t get changed. A thermostat set to the wrong temperature could cause the unit to blow warm air. You also should check the air filter and change it if it is clogged.
If neither of these seems to be the problem, your unit may be low on refrigerant. This must be refilled or repaired by a professional.
2. The AC Unit Is Making a Lot of Noise
AC units aren’t silent, you should hear a gentle hum and may the whoosh of rushing air. However, they also aren’t noisy.
If your unit is squealing, screeching, or rattling there’s probably something wrong with it.
You can try changing the air filter and clearing away any debris from around an outdoor unit. However, most of the time strange noises will need a professional touch to figure out and fix.
3. Clogged Condensate Drain
During the normal process of an AC unit, it pulls humidity from the air. This water needs to go somewhere and that is what the condensate drain is for.
However, over time, this drain can get clogged. The water will then run into a pan that keeps it from soaking through your ceiling or running out onto the floor. Once this pan fills, a safety switch shuts off the unit.
4. Faulty Heat Sensor
This isn’t the only reason why your thermostat might malfunction, but it’s a big one. Problems with the heat sensor mean the thermostat doesn’t receive the temperature information that it needs to work properly.
5. Poor Maintenance
Regular maintenance is one of the best things you can do to keep your AC unit from having problems. The main maintenance task you can do is to change the air filter as often as necessary, which is typically once every 1 to 3 months.
Beyond that, schedule regular maintenance visits with an expert AC technician. They catch small issues before they become giant problems and ensure that the unit is running smoothly. This both extends the life of the unit and cuts down on most unpleasant AC surprises.
Put Your AC Unit in Good Hands
Of course, not all AC technicians are the same. Entrust your unit with the pros here at Triangle AC. Then, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be cool and comfortable all summer long!
