As the summer draws closer in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the temperature gets warmer outside, and the humidity levels start to rise. Without a working AC system in your home, you’ll be uncomfortable during the warmest days of the year. Your cooling system could give off warning signs that something isn’t working properly, so keep an eye out for any of these indicators.
Weak Airflow
If you lower the temperature on your thermostat, the system should immediately kick in and start pushing cool air through the vents. But if the airflow feels more like a weak breeze, you may have a problem with your air conditioner. Some of the problems that could cause a weaker flow of air include a damaged compressor, duct leaks, or obstructions within the system.
All of these issues are worrisome, so you need to bring in an HVAC technician to take a closer look. Continuing to run the system without much air flowing will waste energy. An obstruction in the ductwork could also pose health risks for you and your family.
Excess Moisture
If there is any moisture around the floor where your furnace sits, you could have a refrigerant leak from the coils. A leak often happens when small holes form in the coil due to acid buildup from chemicals in the air. Refrigerant in your home is dangerous, so a leak necessitates an urgent call to an HVAC company.
If the moisture coming from the cooling system is water, potential issues could include a broken or blocked drainage tube from the condensation line. While this isn’t quite as concerning as a refrigerant leak, water can still cause a lot of damage, so it’s best to get the problem checked out and repaired as soon as you can.
Thermostat Issues
Constantly adjusting the thermostat without much change to the interior temperature could mean that the unit has gone out. Thermostats don’t last forever, so if yours is more than a few years old, it may be time for a new one. Another indicator that your thermostat isn’t working properly is if one room of your home feels comfortable, while others feel very warm. Upgrading to a smart thermostat can help reduce energy usage and save money, so consider this tech-savvy option if you’re already planning to replace your thermostat.
Strange Noises
If you hear anything out of the ordinary when your cooling system turns on, you may need to call an HVAC expert for a check-up. Grating or grinding sounds might indicate that metal components are being rubbing together without proper lubrication. Thumping or bumping noises might mean that something might be moving around when it shouldn’t. A squealing sound coming from the A/C usually means that one of the belts has slipped out of place.
Bad Odors
If you’re turning your air conditioner on for the first time after the winter months, you may notice a musty smell, while a brand new unit will often give off that familiar electrical smell. But if the odors don’t dissipate, you could have a more serious problem. Electrical burning odors might indicate a wiring problem, while the smell of mildew could mean that moisture is leaking and causing mold to grow in the unit or in the ducts. If the wire insulation within the furnace has burned out, this can also give off a burning smell.
Bad smells are never pleasant, but when they come from the HVAC system, it’s important to have a technician determine the source.
With an HVAC maintenance plan, you can avoid issues that strike during the warmest time of the year. Having a broken air conditioner won’t do you much good during the summer here in Fayetteville, and technicians at Bass Air Conditioning Company can come in for routine HVAC maintenance to check the system and make sure that everything is working properly. Call Bass Air Conditioning Company at 910-778-1536 to schedule your first preventive maintenance service with one of our experienced technicians.
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