Understanding the early signs of an AC breakdown is critical for homeowners as it will help to prevent further damage and allow you to contact an AC repair company in Miami area before it’s too late. If left untreated, it can become much more expensive, and sometimes even a safety issue. Here are some early signs you should look out for.
Your home is getting hotter
If you notice that your AC is not getting as cold as it used to, or if you can feel that the air coming out of your vents feels warmer than usual, there could be a problem. You should take these issues seriously.
If your home is getting hotter, it means that there’s less cool air coming out of your AC unit. This could be caused by several things:
- The AC unit itself is not working properly and is having trouble cooling down the area around it. The compressor may not be turning on fast enough or the fan motor may not be spinning up quickly enough.
- The system has lost its coolant, causing the refrigerant to boil off and evaporate into the air. This creates a vacuum inside the system and pulls more heat from the air outside of your home.
- A refrigerant leak has occurred somewhere in your system such as around an expansion valve, which allows the hot refrigerant to escape into the atmosphere where it will cool off over time.
You might want to call an expert to have their technicians inspect your system for any potential problems before they get worse and cost you more money in repairs later down the road.
Your energy bills are increasing
If you have noticed that your energy bills are increasing, it could be a sign that your air conditioning unit is not working properly. The reason for this is that when your air conditioner isn’t working properly, its compressor doesn’t work properly either. When this happens, it requires more energy to cool down the house and this will increase your energy bills.
The first thing to do is to check if the AC unit is functioning properly by turning it on and off. If the air-conditioning unit works fine when it is turned on but fails to start up when you turn it off, then you need to contact a technician for an immediate diagnosis.
You can also check for leaks in the air conditioning unit by using a flashlight and shining it into all areas of the unit. If there are any leaks or holes in your AC unit, then this will lead to water damage and need repairs immediately.
You can also check if your AC unit has any scratches on its surface by using a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. A clean surface will reflect light, so if there are scratches on your AC unit’s surface, this may indicate that something has not been cleaned properly or that there was excessive wear and tear over time.
Your AC is frequently turning on and off
If your air conditioner is constantly turning on and off, then it might be time to replace it. If your AC can’t keep up with the heat or cools down too much when you want it to, this could be a sign that something is wrong with your system.
When the temperature outside is high, your AC unit needs to stay on for a long period to keep the room cool. If your air conditioner has been turned on for too long, it could lead to overheating and even breakdown.
If this happens, then you will need to call an AC repair Miami service immediately so that they can diagnose the problem and get rid of it.
You hear unusual noises coming from your unit
If your air conditioner is making unusual noises, it could be a sign that there is something wrong with the unit. Here are some of the most common noises an air conditioner makes when it’s not working properly:
Click-clack: The compressor makes a clicking noise as it cycles on and off to keep the refrigerant liquid cool. When this happens, the compressor must be running at its highest capacity to keep the cold air flowing through the system.
Pulsing sound: A high-frequency pulsing sound can occur if you notice the compressor turning on and off rapidly or cycling continuously without making any noise. This can be caused by a problem with one of the evaporator coils or fans in your system.
Rumbling sound: This type of noise occurs when there’s a large amount of water vapor inside your unit. When this happens, there’s not enough room for all that water vapor to move around freely before condensation forms on the surfaces inside your unit.
You find a strong, musty odor
The musty odor from an air conditioner is a common sign of trouble. If you notice this smell, it’s time to call in an AC repair professional. The musty odor can also be a sign that there’s moisture inside the AC unit. This can lead to mold and mildew growth, which is unsanitary and potentially dangerous.
If you notice another type of odor coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance it’s a result of something else.
For example, if you see smoke or steam coming out of the vents of your AC unit, it may be because there’s water inside the unit that needs to be vented out before it can be cleaned properly by an expert technician.
Final thoughts
No one wants to be stuck in the middle of summer heat without proper AC. If you spot any of these signs, it’s important to schedule a service inspection as soon as possible.
The longer you wait, the bigger the problem could become. It’s always best to pay attention to the signs of a malfunctioning AC unit. So, you need to keep up with your AC repair Miami maintenance program, you’ll be able to catch small problems before they lead to dangerous or costly situations.
