Having an AC system is a necessity in hot, summer weather, and most of us are entirely reliant on air conditioners. Almost 75% of Australian households now have an AC, a number which has nearly doubled in the last twenty years. Most of these people get in a situation where they have problems with higher electricity bills or costly repairs. That’s why it is crucial to detect these problems early on and save money. Here are some common issues to look out for:
No cold air in the system and poor airflow
One of the most common issues homeowners face is the fact that the air conditioner simply isn’t doing its job. Even if you set it to full capacity, the air isn’t cold, or it is not as cold as it used to be. If there is some cold air, your system is still running overtime to keep the temperatures at a desirable level. This situation can be an indicator of a couple of problems. The first and most common problem would be a broken compressor. Another one could be a leak in the refrigerant. It could also mean that the freon levels are low. Luckily, these problems are fixable and are not too costly. However, you should tackle these issues sooner rather than later. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in a situation where you won’t be able to reap the benefits of your AC system.
Although the most common problem with AC’s is there is no cold air, another similar problem might occur, and that is weak airflow. When you turn on the AC, and you can feel the cold air is not circulating your house as it should be, you have an issue with poor airflow. Just like when you don’t have cold air at all, the problem is usually with the compressor, which may need reparation. In another case, you might have a problem with your ducts, as debris tends to get stuck inside and limit the airflow. Just clean the pipes, to restore them to their previous state.
Moisture around the air conditioner
Moisture near the air conditioner is a clear indicator that something is off and that there’s a problem you’ll need to address eventually. AC systems are designed to be dry all the time, to avoid any mould or mildew forming inside your household. Moisture doesn’t have to present a severe problem. It might be that something has blocked the drain tube, and prevented the channelling of condensation away from the system. You don’t have to solve this issue at once. However, it best to do so, to prevent any mould from forming nearby. A much worse scenario will be if a refrigerant is leaking from your system. Such leakage does not only make the AC work at an unacceptable level, but it also poses a serious health threat to you and your loved ones. So, if you notice any moisture, it is best advised to start dealing with this problem at once. If you’re unsure how to do it, seek professional help.
Also, air conditioner systems are designed to remove the humidity in the air inside your house and extract it outside. Even if you live in a low humidity area, there is still some moisture in the air around you. So, if you notice water forming around the windows, at least while the AC is on, you should know it isn’t working the way it should be, and it needs to be repaired.
Much higher electricity bills
It’s a known fact that the AC system is the biggest energy consumer in any household. Usually, the main culprit in high energy bills are the homeowners. In Australia, 2.3 million households leave their AC on even when they’re not at home, which leads to $222 million in wastage. Average Australian wastes an hour daily in cooling their house, resulting in adding almost $100 to their bill. However, there are cases when people are not responsible. The ductwork that leaks, the age of the AC system or a faulty thermostat can all be a cause of the spike in bills. Inspecting the system is highly recommended, just not by yourself. These are issues best left to expert attention. Contact Sydney aircon experts, and let the professionals find and remove the problem in no time!
Strange sounds and smells coming from the air conditioner
Usually, your AC system should work quietly, or at least with the least amount of noise possible. You shouldn’t even be able to notice it’s working. So, when you start noticing strange sounds like squealing, screeching, grating or banging, you should know there’s something to worry about. These are the occurrences that should be addressed immediately, as they are usually an indicator of a more serious issue. Such sounds indicate the problems inside the air conditioner, such as loosened belts, broken parts, or leftover debris. Sometimes it might mean that some a metal part inside needs more lubrication. Thus, if you wait too long, you might find yourself in a situation when you need to get a brand new AC unit or spend a lot of money for repair.
Just like any strange noises, smells are also a clear indicator that something has gone wrong. Every AC is made and designed to produce airflow that has a neutral smell, that you shouldn’t be able to detect and feel. If you smell something burning, this usually indicates that the wires inside are burnt and that the wire insulation does not work correctly anymore. A musty smell is another type of you might notice. In this case, there is probably some mould inside the system, or in the ducts. Whichever it is, you should deal with this problem at once. Bad smells are not only unpleasant but are also an indicator of a threat to everyone who is inside your house.
Thermostat out of order
More often than not, your AC system won’t be the problem, but your thermostat. There are a couple of visible indicators that something has gone wrong with the thermostat. If you set the temperature inside to a certain level, and it eventually ends up being off by a lot, that’s your thermostat not doing its job. If the AC won’t start, or it starts turning off after a brief period of working, it’s also probably because of the broken thermostat. Another indicator could be if one part of your house is freezing, while the other didn’t change its temperature at all. Since this is a rather complicated issue, consider calling an expert to take a look at it, and diagnose the problem for you.
The problems with the AC are rather easily detectable. However, in most cases, you won’t be able to handle them on your own. Therefore, it is best to employ professional help, and early on, if possible. That way you won’t have to spend much on repairs!