Is My AC About to Break Down in Wilmington, NC?

As you turn to air conditioning this spring and summer for your home in Wilmington, NC, it’s important to remember how mighty and intricate your cooling system is. With so many different parts and components inside it, there are a number of things that can go wrong and hinder your home comfort. Read through the list below of common signs of a failing system so you know whether your AC needs repair service.

No Air Coming From Vents

If cold air doesn’t come out of the vents around your house, your home will not reach the desired temperature for comfort. A faulty blower motor or fan may cause a lack of airflow entirely, and insufficient airflow could be caused by a dirty air filter or refrigerant coils. Repair service is essential to regain normal airflow and maintain a cool and comfortable home.

Hot Air Coming From Vents

If your thermostat is set to cooling mode and the temperature is lower than that in the house, you should get cold air from the vents. Low refrigerant, which is necessary for the creation of cold air, or a dirty system can cause your air conditioner to blow hot air rather than cold. Check and change your filter, and if the problem persists, call our professional service techs for repairs.

Strange or Loud Noises

Loud banging and clanging sounds coming from your air conditioner may be the result of loose or damaged parts moving around when they normally wouldn’t. Whistling may be a sign of restricted airflow, and squealing is often a symptom of a dry motor bearing or a damaged belt. No matter the underlying cause, it’s crucial to call for repair service right away when you hear unusual sounds to prevent more extensive damage to the AC system.

Unusual Odors

You may notice a slight hot or burning smell when you run your air conditioner for the first time this spring. Beyond this first cycle, smells from the AC or vents are cause for concern. Call us for inspection and repairs if you notice a burning or a hot electrical smell or the pungent odor of dirty socks because these odors signify serious concerns inside your air conditioner.

Decrease in Efficiency

One of the less obvious signs that you need professional AC repairs is an increase in energy consumption. You won’t spot this symptom until you get your utility bill, where you’ll see an increase in energy consumption during the time you’ve run your air conditioner. Damaged or worn parts, a dirty system and short cycling due to malfunction may all contribute to a decrease in energy efficiency, causing an increase in energy costs. One of our technicians can diagnose the problem and completed repairs as necessary to bring down the cost of cooling your home.

Leaking Refrigerant

Leaking refrigerant is another symptom that may not be immediately obvious unless you visually spot it dripping from your system. When you have low refrigerant, your system may short cycle, blow warm air or fail to produce any air at all. Leaking refrigerant is an immediate concern and requires intervention right away to prevent harm to the environment and anyone exposed to it.

Rapid and Frequent Cycling

Short cycles where your air conditioner runs for a short duration and then powers off, usually turning back on shortly after, indicate a malfunction or an oversized system. Your air conditioner may short cycle due to excess stress or a broken compressor. Short cycling is hard on your air conditioner and consumes much more energy than typical cycles, and requires prompt correction.

As a homeowner, it’s important to be able to recognize signs of malfunction with your air conditioner so you know when to call for repairs. Calling immediately can help save your AC from further damage and can cut down on excess energy consumption. For all your air conditioning repair needs in Wilmington, call Airmax Heating and Cooling, and let our technicians restore normal function.

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