If your air conditioner isn’t providing sufficient cooling or it’s making strange sounds, leaking refrigerant, or emitting foul smells you should call for an AC Repair. These professionals can fix a wide range of problems to make your home comfortable again.
The first thing an AC professional will do is diagnose the problem. This may involve checking the thermostat, inspecting the air filter, or examining the electrical panel. Contact Round Rock AC Repair for professional help.
If you’re putting your hand over your air vents and only feeling a weak breeze, it could be an indication that you have a problem with your AC airflow. Low airflow means your system has to work harder to cool down your home, which will cause it to wear down much faster and end up costing you more in energy bills. The good news is, this is an easy fix and can be solved by one of our technicians.
One of the most common reasons we receive service calls is for low airflow. This usually is a result of the blower motor in the air handler being dirty. The blower motor is the fan that pushes all of the cold air from your ducts into your house, so it’s very important that it be kept clean. You can try wiping down the blower motor with a rag, but be careful not to get your fingers stuck in the blades. If this doesn’t help, you will want to call in an expert to clean it out.
Another reason you may have problems with your airflow is due to leakage in the ductwork. When your ducts develop holes and cracks, it causes heat to escape before it reaches your rooms, which can lead to lower airflow. Fortunately, this is also an issue that can be resolved with regular maintenance and tune-ups.
Leaks can also be caused by rust build-up in the evaporator coil and corrosion on the refrigerant lines. If your AC technician finds this, they will need to refill the refrigerant to bring it up to the proper levels.
Another thing that could be causing low airflow is a clogged filter, which can be easily fixed by replacing it. Additionally, we can check your ducts to see if any of them are blocked by furniture or area rugs, which can also decrease airflow. Finally, we can check the thermostat to make sure it’s working properly and not causing your AC unit to work too hard. We can even replace your old thermostat with a smart, energy-saving model that will save you money on your energy bills.
Strange Noises
As your HVAC system works to keep your home cool, it will occasionally emit strange sounds. However, most homeowners quickly get used to these sounds and don’t give them much thought. Taking notice of unusual AC noises and calling in a professional can help you determine what the issue might be and which repairs will be necessary to correct it.
Rattling sounds often indicate loose components within your AC unit that need to be tightened. This could be anything from a worn out fan belt that needs replacing to a damaged compressor motor that will require a replacement part or an AC repair technician. Humming sounds usually indicate electrical problems within the wiring or motors and need to be addressed immediately to avoid further damage to your system. Buzzing sounds may be the result of dust and debris buildup on fan blades that need to be cleaned. A high-pitched shrieking sound may also be the result of a worn out compressor sensor that needs to be replaced.
Squealing sounds and grinding noises both tend to be an indicator that your air conditioner motor or fan blades are beginning to wear out or need to be replaced. This type of AC repair is best left to a professional who can diagnose and fix the problem with the highest level of safety for your household members and the unit itself.
In addition to the physical sounds of your air conditioner making strange noises, it is possible for you to begin to smell a strange and unpleasant odor from it as well. This can be a sign of a number of issues, but the most common is metal on metal. When the compressor unit and the blower motor fan in your HVAC system start to wear out, it can cause the bearings to rub together at a high rate of speed, which then causes a terrible screeching sound and produces a metal-on-metal smell.
It is important to understand that all of these strange noises and odors are signs of serious problems in your AC unit. They should not be ignored as they will only worsen over time and lead to expensive AC repair costs down the road. Routine maintenance and prompt action by a qualified technician can keep your air conditioning unit running at peak performance levels all throughout its life.
Water Leaks
A dripping AC unit is not only a headache to deal with, it can also lead to water damage in your home. Water leaks usually originate in the drain line, which carries condensation away from the evaporator coil. However, this line can become disconnected from the drain pan due to poor installation or a clog in the system. You should check the drainage line and the drain pan regularly to ensure they don’t have cracks or holes.
You should also make sure that the drain line isn’t blocked by dirt, debris, algae, or mildew. A wet/dry vac can help you clear out any blockage in the drain line, but you may need to call an HVAC professional if it is completely clogged. If the drain line is disconnected from the drain pan, you’ll need to replace the entire drain pan and reattach the line to it.
Another common reason for AC leaking water is dirty evaporator coils that are covered in dust and grime. These contaminants interfere with airflow over the coil and cause it to freeze. An HVAC technician can clean the coils and restore proper function to your air conditioner.
Lastly, a leaking AC unit can occur when the refrigerant is low. If you hear a hissing sound or notice signs of low refrigerant, such as a sluggish air conditioner or higher energy bills, you should call an HVAC professional immediately.
Leaking water from your air conditioner can also be caused by poor construction during the initial installation of your system. If the system was installed on uneven ground or wasn’t properly attached to your home, it could shift over time, loosening connections and causing water leaks. An experienced HVAC professional can check the system to see if it is misaligned or not connected correctly and fix any issues that arise during the installation process.
Regular maintenance of your AC system can help prevent these problems. You should change the air filter every sixty to ninety days to keep the air flowing properly over the evaporator coil. In addition, you should have a technician clean the condensation line and drain pan during routine maintenance to avoid blockages and clogs.
Unpleasant Smells
While it’s not uncommon to notice unpleasant smells when starting up an AC unit after months of disuse, these odors are usually temporary. They stem from mildew and mold growth that occurs inside the unit and air ducts. The best way to avoid this is to be religious about swapping out air filters regularly and routinely cleaning exposed components like coils and blowers. A seasonal flushing of the condensate drain line with a vinegar solution also helps prevent foul odors from building up.
In cases where smells are concentrated in areas such as drain pans, fans and ducts, start by using a baking soda solution to scrub the affected surfaces. Baking soda’s odor-absorbing powers make it an ideal surface-level treatment that works wonders on the most stubborn stenches, including those caused by dead critters and electrical burns. If you notice that the odor persists, consider investing in a UV light system designed to bathe all your AC components in germicidal UV radiation. Like your own microbial death ray, this system can permanently eliminate odor-causing microbes before they cause problems.
Unpleasant odors that are particularly pungent or persistent can indicate major issues with your AC unit that require immediate attention. If you detect a burning odor, it could be an indicator that the fan motor or other electrical components are overheating or damaged. In addition, an acrid, smoky smell similar to gunpowder could indicate that there’s active fire within the unit.
Other unpleasant odors that require immediate attention include antifreeze, which has a distinctive sweet smell, and Freon, an old residential AC refrigerant that gives off a chemical odor when it’s leaking. These are both dangerous for a variety of reasons and should never be ignored, even when they’re only mildly offensive. Inhaling these fumes is a health hazard and should prompt you to shut off your AC immediately and call for emergency air conditioning repair.