Many customers ask:
Most of the time, you just know. You can see signs that your air conditioner needs repair, or more accurately, you can feel when it needs repair. Unforgivable New Jersey summers in Mercer County will make your broken AC unit more than a little obvious. However, some problems are more subtle than others.
An article about air conditioning systems by Energy.gov says, “Air conditioners use about 5% of all the electricity produced in the United States, at an annual cost of more than $11 billion to homeowners.” Don’t let your broken AC unit cost your family more than it has to.
5 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair
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1) Visible Water Leaks
The same article on Energy.gov explains how AC unit work, “The condenser, a hot outdoor coil, releases the collected heat outside.” When the condensation forms in the unit as a byproduct of cooling hot air, the AC unit has a system to carry away the excess moisture. The drain tube is one of the more fragile parts of the unit. It can get blocked, damaged, or torn, and the condensated water inside will spill and pool near the air conditioner. This is a visible sign that your air conditioner needs to be fixed by a NATE certified HVAC technician for repair. Sometimes, you will see multiple water leaks or ice formation.
2) Musty Odors
If you notice a strange, musty smell in your home, and you cannot find the source, do not panic yet. It might not be mold from the walls: it might be coming from the AC unit. Certain odors tell you that your air conditioner needs to be fixed. Mold or other microscopic biological organisms might be growing inside of the unit itself or inside of the air ducts due to excess moisture.
3) Burning Odors
Have you ever smelled a sweet, electric odor? You need an AC repair professional to see that as soon as possible. While you may not see any visible smoke, the pervasive electrical odor could mean that the air conditioning unit is overheating. The smell might be coming from the wires, and ignoring this odor for long periods of time can lead to a legitimate fire hazard.
4) Not Cooling
There are two main reasons why your AC might not be cooling: the thermostat is wrong, or there is a problem with the ventilation system. In the first situation, you might need to have a NATE certified technician recalibrate or replace your existing thermostat. In the second scenario, you might need to hire a professional to clean your air vents, air ducts, or AC unit blower fan. You can, quite literally, feel this sign of AC trouble. Whether you are experiencing a cool air flow blockage, or your thermostat is lying to you, you will most likely need the help of an expert.
5) Noises
You know what your AC unit sounds like, and you can probably tell if you hear a noise that is out of the ordinary. Investigate any rattling noises, whistling sounds, screeching, and thudding sounds coming from your AC unit. Call us today to schedule your tune-up to inspect these unusual noises.
Contact Certified Air Conditioner Repair Experts
Don’t trust your home in Mercer County to just anyone. The technicians at PFO are NATE certified professionals who prioritize customer satisfaction. They know how to read the signs if your air conditioner needs repair. Contact us to schedule a visit today.