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7 Signs you need to call an AC technician

7 Signs you need to call an AC technician

Air conditioners (ACs) provide multiple benefits. Primarily, they improve the air quality of a building and allow people to breathe cleaner air. When the room’s temperature is incredibly high, an AC unit could reduce it to comfortable levels. Such benefits make air conditioners essential equipment to have in any type of building.

Yet, like any other appliance, air conditioners also encounter all sorts of problems in the long run. When that happens, property owners typically contact an AC expert as soon as possible. But suppose you’re a homeowner who has limited knowledge about air conditioners and has no idea when to seek professional assistance. In that case, keep reading to learn more about the signs to watch out for, indicating that you have to call an AC technician.

1. Increasing energy bills

Among the signs that your air conditioning unit has a problem are increasing energy costs. You’ll notice this issue if you compare the past three to five months of electric bills you’ve received.

However, before jumping to conclusions, assess whether or not a new appliance was added to your home when your electric bill first spiked. Also, figure out if some of your appliances or equipment have been used for a longer time than usual.

If neither of those is the culprit, then you should consider requesting Winchester air conditioner services so an AC technician can drop by your property to inspect your unit.

2. Strange noises

Do you hear strange, buzzing noises from your AC? Generally, broken or loose parts are the source of those sounds. You may want a professional to check it out as missing or damaged isolation feet or refrigerant leaks might be the cause.

On the other hand, old air conditioners produce squealing sounds. A slipped belt or a more specific problem in the fan’s motor’s bearings may lead to a whirring sound. For new models, a grinding noise is an indication of a malfunctioning engine. Most of the time, a replacement is necessary to address the issue.

3. Serious leakage

If you notice water dripping from your AC, determine first if it’s a simple leak or it’s already a complex refrigerant leak. A clogged drain typically causes usual water leakage. You could provide an instant solution if it’s a clogged drain, such as funneling the moisture toward the drain lines.

If it’s refrigerant leakage, however, you’ll need the help of an AC technician. Refrigerant leaks can become dangerous when they transform into gas. Ultimately, they can cause life-threatening conditions such as fluid buildup in the lungs and seizures. If you can’t determine whether the leakage is common or has to do with the refrigerant, call an AC technician at once to inspect and fix the issue.

4. Foul odors

If you smell a chemical-like odor coming from your AC, turn it off immediately. It may cause poisoning and other detrimental conditions. Here’s a list of the odors you’re likely to encounter as well as what they could possibly indicate:

  • Smells like exhaust from a vehicle: A possible cause of this is a refrigerant leak. It’s prompted by evaporating freon or other chemicals or fluids. 
  • Burnt smell: The typical reasons for this are burning interior connections or burning dust buildup.
  • Rotten eggs: Dead bugs or rodents typically cause the odor of rotten eggs.
  • Skunk and gas: This is one of the most dangerous signs as it could mean a gas or fluid leakage that could probably contaminate or poison. Shut off the unit and its gas supply once you detect a skunky odor. 
  • Musty smell: Although this may be the foulest of all, this could be the least serious. A musty smell is often the result of standing water inside the unit.
  • Cigarette smoke: This happens when someone at home smokes regularly. The unit’s filter absorbs the odor, and the smell returns through vents when the unit is turned off.

5. Blowing warm air 

There are several reasons your unit releases hot air. The most common of these are the following:

  • Incorrect thermostat setting: In most cases, homeowners fail to set the thermostat correctly, causing the AC to blow warm air.
  • Lost power to the indoor unit: An AC cannot cool itself down when the power is off. Thus, it produces warm air. 
  • Low refrigerant: This is typically caused by refrigerant leakage.
  • Dirty coils: Having a dirty coil prevents the unit from working correctly, so it cannot produce the right temperature.

6. Slow response

A dirty air filter is the common cause of delayed cooling. With this issue, the filters prevent the cold air from passing through as it should. Blocked coils could also be the issue. In other cases, a broken thermostat is the cause. An AC technician could pinpoint the exact source of this particular issue, and they may even give insights on how to improve your AC’s cooling time. 

7. Low airflow

AC units are installed to improve a building’s airflow quality. Yet, in some cases, this doesn’t happen. The following reasons are the typical causes of low airflow: 

  • Frozen evaporator coils 
  • Clogged or dirty air filters
  • Blocked or dirty ducts 
  • Compressor issues 

Wrapping up 

An excellent option when looking to fix problems with your air conditioning unit is hiring a professional. While DIY repairs have been popular lately, calling AC technicians is still the best decision regardless of the situation. They have the most appropriate skills and tools for any AC job you require. For instance, they know when to replace air filters and when to carry out simple fixes.

In addition, AC technicians know the proper repairs and replacements that could satisfy your needs. Apart from these, they have licenses and years of training, signifying that they could get the job done right the first time. Furthermore, they can do repairs and replacements more quickly and accurately than you can.

So if you’re unsure about what’s wrong with your AC unit, remember what’s been discussed above so you can decide whether it’s time to contact a reliable AC technician.

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