We’re going to bet that you are using your air conditioner quite a bit to keep cool these days. That’s all well and good, but as long as you’re going to be using your system that often it’s a good idea to beware of any problems that might develop.
The faster you can detect if your air conditioner needs professional repair, the faster you can have it fixed and the better off it will be. If your air conditioner is making odd noises during operation, it’s a sign that it needs to be repaired. Have a look at some of the more common sounds that indicate a problem, and what they mean.
Grinding
A grinding sound tends to indicate that your air conditioner’s air handler is malfunctioning in some way. The air handler is the part of the system responsible for circulating air throughout the home while the system is operating. Inside the air handler motor are a number of oiled bearings, designed to reduce friction on the system. As the bearings wear out over years of use, the amount of friction the air handler motor suffers during operation will increase.
This will eventually reach a point where the motor is in danger of overheating, which is usually also the point at which the system starts to make a loud grinding sound. If your air conditioner is making this sound, it’s a good idea to turn it off and call for repairs. You really don’t want to have to replace your air handler motor.
Hissing and Gurgling
Hissing and gurgling noises mean that you have air bubbles forming in your refrigerant line, which means that you have a leak. Refrigerant leaks, even small ones, are a major threat to air conditioners because they deprive them of fluid vital to their operation.
As the refrigerant level in the system drops, the air conditioner’s output capacity drops along with it. Eventually, the refrigerant level will drop to the point where the air conditioner can no longer continue operating. Have a professional examine your system if you hear this noise, or if you notice fluid dripping from it.
Short Cycling
Of all the various problems that could possibly damage your air conditioner, short cycling is one of the worst. Short cycling is when your system turns itself on and off every few minutes, rather than completing a full heating cycle. Aside from seriously hampering the system’s ability to properly cool the home, short cycling accelerates the amount of wear and tear that the air conditioner accumulates by a fairly significant amount. If the problem is not fixed in time, short cycling can shorten the life of the air conditioner by several years. Shut your air conditioner off and call a professional if you hear it short cycling.
SPS Mechanical Inc. offers a full range of air conditioning services in West Deptford, NJ. If your air conditioner is in need of repair, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians.
