You really don’t want to suddenly find yourself without a functioning air conditioning system during the summer season. Especially not this season, when heat records are being set across the country. Preventive maintenance is the best way to make sure that your air conditioner doesn’t suddenly die on you during a heat wave. While this is really effective, it’s not a guarantee that your system will spend the entire summer without developing problems. For the sake of keeping your air conditioner as healthy as possible, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye out for signs that your system is in trouble. The following are three of the more common warning signs that you should call for repairs as quickly as possible.
Falling Output
If your air conditioner isn’t cooling as well as it should be, it probably means that there’s some sort of problem with it. It could be that you have a clogged air filter or malfunctioning air handler, both of which would prevent the air conditioner from circulating enough air through the home. You could also have a refrigerant leak, which would deprive the system of its ability to siphon enough heat from the air in the ducts. You can replace a clogged air filter with a new one to resolve the issue, but the other two problems are going to need professional repair services to be resolved.
High Monthly Bills
Your monthly operating costs are going to rise when you use the system on a regular basis, of course. However, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your monthly bills and call for repairs if they spike more than they normally do during the summer. Unusually high monthly bills could indicate that the system is working harder than it should be, which means that you have some sort of other issue that is affecting the system’s performance. Most things strong enough to tweak the air conditioner’s operating time in this way are strong enough to cause other issues, so you should call for repairs as quickly as possible to have them addressed.
Short Cycling
An air conditioner that turns itself on and off frequently is short cycling, which is a serious threat to the health of the system. Short cycling is often caused by an electrical issue or compressor malfunction. By preventing the system from completing a full cooling cycle, short cycling decreases the system’s ability to cool the home. It also increases the amount of wear and tear that the air conditioner suffers in a short period of time, making it more likely to develop other problems the longer it continues to short cycle. Call for repairs as soon as you notice your air conditioner doing this. If you let it continue, you could end up replacing your air conditioner years early.
Sunset Air offers full HVAC services in Tacoma, WA. If your air conditioner is malfunctioning in some way, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We will ensure that your air conditioner survives the summer intact.
