3 Clues It’s Time For An A/C Repair

There is no better sound than that of the air conditioner running on a hot, summer day. If your unit is not working as well as it should, it may be time to call for air conditioning repair. The worst time for your system to be on-the-fritz is when outdoor temperatures are high. If you are experiencing any of the problems listed below it may be time to call your HVAC service. Here are three signs that it’s time for an AC repair:

1) AC makes a lot of noise- most people assume that air conditioners and other electrical appliances are supposed to make noise, but this isn’t true. You may not notice because you have become used to the noise over time, but odd sounds or loud noises such as banging, humming or squealing are an indication that something may be loose inside the unit. Most often noises like these are due to parts becoming loose, a bent coil fin or mechanical friction.

2) Water pooling- if you find water dripping or pooling around the base of the unit it could indicate a broken pipe or clogged condenser drain. The piping and hoses inside the unit that carry water may come loose or split causing a leak. The condenser drain can also become clogged with debris making water back up causing pooling. Another common reason for pooling is condensation from a faulty pump.

3) Insufficient Cooling- if your air conditioning unit is not blowing cold air, the culprit may be a dirty filter. Air filters should be changed monthly because they tend to collect a lot of dust and dirt making it hard for air to pass through them. This makes your air conditioner work harder to draw air in to cool.

A secondary reason for cooling problems is that your refrigerant levels may be too low. Refrigerant is a liquid that changes to a gas that cools the air that is blown through the air conditioner’s vents. If it is low due to a leak in the piping, it will need to be refilled by a qualified HVAC technician.

Take a look at your outside condenser unit, if it is dirty or clogged by weeds or leaves that can also be a reason it is not producing cold air. The indoor and outdoor units work together so if the condenser isn’t working efficiently, it affects the air coming out of the air handler.

While these problems can make your indoor temperatures unbearable, the good news is that a little prevention can make AC repair needed less often. Regular service maintenance catch a lot of these issues before they become problems. Ask your HVAC service about maintenance plans to keep your system running at its best. Some services included in a routine maintenance plan include:

    safety inspections prior to cooling season
    system cleaning and lubrication
    worn parts replacement
    refill refrigerant
    check and reset thermostats
    cleaning of outdoor and indoor equipment

R&D provides excellent service for Lexington residents needing air conditioning repair or new installations. If you’ve been thinking of replacing your current cooling system with a two-speed air conditioning system or maybe you have a small home and need a ductless cooling system, a qualified HVAC technician can have your new cooling system up and running in no time. Contact us today for an estimate or ask about service plans.