As the weather warms and we start to use our air conditioners, the time to schedule maintenance (if you haven’t already done so) is now. This is the only way to ensure that you’ll be going into summer with a fully functional and efficiently operating air conditioner. Additionally, it will give you the chance to take care of any need for AC repair in Salt Lake City that might come up during your tune-up. Regardless of whether you’ve had maintenance done or not, though, it’s a good idea to be aware of any signs of trouble.
But how do you know what to look for? Well, we’ve put together a brief description below of some common warning signs that can indicate something is amiss with your air conditioner. If you notice any of these signs, be sure to call our team right away. After all, the sooner you tackle problems, the better!
Ice on the System
Let’s start with this one—first off, because it’s a bigger problem than you may realize, and secondly, if you see it you may think it’s just a natural part of the cooling process (which is why we say it’s a bigger problem than you may realize!)
Ice anywhere on your air conditioning system means that the evaporator system is getting too cold, and as a result causing condensation to freeze. This might be resolved simply, by changing a dirty or clogged air filter (your air filter should be changed every 1-3 months). Or you may need to have the coil itself cleaned, which should only be done by a professional. Another possible cause of ice on the evaporator coil is leaking refrigerant. The leak must be located and repaired right away to prevent further system damage.
Short-Cycling
When your whole-house AC system is running, you should hear it doing so in fairly regular, gradual cycles. It shouldn’t be starting up, running only very briefly, and then cycling back down once more. If this is occurring, then your AC system is going through a process called short-cycling.
This is a big problem for your cooling system and may be the result of many other issues. You might have a refrigerant leak or a dirty coil like we mentioned above. Or it could be malfunctioning capacitors, a miscalibrated thermostat, or some other component damage that’s affecting the integrity of your system.
Odd Noises
If your AC system is pumping out lukewarm or even hot air, then it’s pretty apparent that you have a problem on your hands. What if the air conditioner seems to be functioning normally though, other than making some noises you’ve never heard coming from it before? You could just ignore them or shrug them off as a minor nuance.
But please don’t.
When your AC system is making strange sounds, it’s trying to tell you that something is amiss. Whether it’s loud grinding or screeching caused by metal on metal, it’s not to be ignored. Another possible sound you may hear is the thumping of a loose component banging up against the cabinet. Sounds such as the ones described here are often the first sign of something wrong with your air conditioner, and should never be neglected.
Contact our team today for reliable AC services and see what keeps our customers saying, “I Love My Design Comfort!”
