It may not seem like it now, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, but summer is pretty close now. Before too long, you’re going to be using your air conditioner on a daily basis to keep yourself comfortable. Along with that added demand comes an added chance of something going wrong. More wear and tear on the system can make pre-existing problems lurking in the air conditioner worse and even lead to breakdowns. Keep an eye out for the following signs that your air conditioner is in trouble so you can have it repaired as soon as possible.
Leaking Fluid
There are two possibilities when it comes to fluid leaking from your air conditioner. It could be condensate or refrigerant. Condensate leaks are annoying, and could cause rust in some parts of your system, but other than that they aren’t an urgent problem. Refrigerant leaks, on the other hand, are another matter.
Your air conditioner relies entirely on refrigerant to cool your home. Moreover, it recycles the same charge of refrigerant throughout its lifespan. If a leak develops in the refrigerant line, it will drain the system over time. The lower the refrigerant level drops, the less capacity the air conditioner will have for cooling the home. Eventually, the refrigerant level will drop low enough that the air conditioner will break down entirely. Make sure you call for repairs before that happens, even if you’re not sure whether it’s a condensate or refrigerant leak.
Falling Output
Dropping output is not only an indication of a refrigerant leak. An air conditioner might start to lose the ability to cool properly for any number of reasons. The air handler might be having trouble, for example, which would prevent the air conditioner from circulating enough air. The air filter might be clogged, with the same result. Falling output is never a good sign, and it should always be checked out by a professional technician. It could be a relatively easy fix, or it could be a serious problem that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. You won’t know either way until you have a professional take a look at it.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your air conditioner turns itself on and off every few minutes without completing a full cooling cycle. This might be due to a problem with the thermostat, or a malfunctioning compressor. Short cycling inhibits the air conditioner’s ability to cool the home, but it also increases the level of wear and tear the system accumulates over time. The longer an air conditioner is allowed to short cycle, the more prone to breaking down it’s going to be. Short cycling can also shorten the air conditioner’s lifespan by a number of years, so you should always call for repairs immediately if you hear yours doing this.
Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. offers full AC repair in Fremont, CA. If your air conditioner is in need of repairs, contact us today for an appointment. We’ll restore your system to full health.