Air conditioning problems always seem to strike at the worst moment. It’s common for air conditioners to develop new issues on particularly hot days, especially if the system didn’t see much use during winter. While air conditioning problems can be inconvenient, it’s possible to avoid most of them with regular servicing. So, how do you know when your AC needs to be serviced? We’re going to cover the 9 most common signs that it’s time to book a maintenance appointment for your air conditioning.
1. Blowing Warm Air
Many of us install air conditioners to stay cool in summer. That means it can be incredibly frustrating to have an air conditioner that struggles to cool your home. Check the thermostat settings before you do anything else. Make sure the unit is set to its cooling mode and that the temperature is set below the ambient temperature. If it continues to blow warm air then you may have an issue with the compressor or condenser unit.
2. Low Airflow
The airflow coming from your split system air conditioner or ducted air conditioning vents should be consistent. Noticeably weak airflow can be a sign of problems with fan motors, filters or ductwork. To protect the internal components from damage, it’s best to avoid running an air conditioner that is struggling with low airflow.
3. Turning Itself Off
If your air conditioner refuses to turn on, or if it runs for short periods of time before turning itself off, you may have a thermostat malfunction. The thermostat communicates with the air conditioning unit and allows you to set the temperature. It also takes measurements of the indoor temperature – so a malfunctioning thermostat often causes the air conditioner to shut itself off too soon.
4. Unusual Noises
It’s normal for the outdoor condenser unit on your air conditioner to make some noise during operation, but you should keep an ear out for any unusual sounds. Banging, squealing, clicking or scraping sounds are all a sign that something is going wrong.
5. Strange Smells
Strange smells coming from your air conditioning unit are a warning sign that something is wrong. The most common issue is musty or mouldy smells. These types of smells indicate bacteria or mould growth that needs to be dealt with quickly to avoid health issues. Alternatively, you may notice burning or metallic smells coming from the system. These are a sign that motors are failing or that other components are faulty. If you notice these types of smells, turn the system off and contact your air conditioning technician for repairs.
6. Excess Humidity
When you use your air conditioner to cool your home during summer, it will remove small amounts of moisture from the air and dehumidify the space. It’s time to book a service if your air conditioning is struggling to reduce the humidity. There are a few problems that can cause an air conditioner to struggle with humidity, such as dirty evaporator coils, faulty thermostats or refrigerant leaks.
7. Water and Refrigerant Leaks
Air conditioners produce small amounts of condensation as they operate. While it’s normal to see water coming from your condensate drain, there should be no other signs of leaking. If you notice streaks or pools of liquid, have your air conditioning technician investigate the problem as soon as possible. Most modern refrigerants are low-toxicity, but older systems use more harmful chemicals that need to be dealt with properly.
8. Soaring Energy Bills
Rising electricity bills are often a sign that something is wrong with your air conditioning. If your energy bills are climbing but you haven’t changed the way you use your air conditioning, you may have a problem like:
- Broken thermostat
- Air leaks in your ductwork
- Refrigerant leaks
- Blocked air filters
- Faulty compressor
- Motors in need of repair or replacement
Each of these can cause your air conditioning to work harder, driving up your electricity consumption. Through an air conditioning service Adelaide wide, our technician can inspect the system and locate the source of any problems that are hurting your hip pocket.
9. Ageing Air Conditioning Unit
Like other appliances, air conditioners tend to wear out over time. Your air conditioner is likely to need more servicing and repairs as it ages. You can prolong the lifespan of your air conditioning by booking yearly services and keeping an eye out for any of the problems that we mentioned above.
Having Trouble with Your Air Conditioning? Talk to the Air Conditioning Doctor!
Air conditioning is one of the most convenient ways to maintain the temperature in your home. Whether it’s used for cooling in summer or heating in winter, your air conditioning works hard, and regular servicing is the best way to ensure it’s always ready for action. If you’re having problems like the ones we talked about above, it’s time to book an appointment with the Air Conditioning Doctor!
Air Conditioning Doctor works all over Adelaide, providing maintenance, repairs and regular servicing for air conditioning. Contact us to book your regular air conditioning maintenance appointment!
Stephen Maitland is the Director of Air Conditioning Doctor and has over 20 years of experience in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. He founded the company in 2007 to be Adelaide’s leading air conditioning repair, replacement and installation specialist.
As a certified Refrigeration Mechanic with a full unrestricted ARC license, his technical knowledge and years of experience allow him to diagnose problems quickly and offer practical and efficient solutions for his customers.
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