There’s a good reason why nearly nine out of ten Americans have air-conditioned homes. An AC can be a real life-saver, especially during summer months when the heat is simply unbearable. And just like any other appliance in your home, your AC unit needs regular maintenance and occasional repairs as well. Not only will this help keep your AC system in tip-top shape, but it’ll also extend its lifespan. With that in mind, here are five most common AC problems you could face and ways to deal with them.
The AC filter is dirty
A dirty AC filter may not seem like a huge problem at first. However, it can cause more than one problem if not dealt with on time. For starters, it can result in a reduction of air quality due to AC’s inability to remove pollutants and dust. Then, there’s the reduced AC system efficiency as well as decreased ability to keep indoor air fresh and cool. To tackle a clogged or stuffy AC unit, check and clean the air filter every two months. To simplify this important maintenance task, you can simply get a smart AC controller which will send you alerts. That way, you’ll know exactly when your air filter needs to be cleaned so that it can function optimally.
Air ducts are blocked or clogged
There’s no doubt that an AC unit can come in pretty handy. However, running one that’s non-efficient and has blocked or clogged air ducts can result in increased energy bills each month. Ensuring that your AC system is running smoothly is sometimes simply a matter of hiring air conditioning repair services in your area and relying on them to quickly and professionally clean the air ducts. Not only will this ensure superior performance, but it’ll conserve energy. This, in turn, will result in significant savings down the road.
The AC drain line is clogged
When it comes to common AC problems, it’s not only the air ducts that often get clogged. Sometimes, the problem lies in a clogged AC drain line. This can happen due to a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the debris or algae will build up causing the drain line to clog. Other times, it’ll be due to piping that’s been improperly placed, or simply due to insects that are nesting. If you notice that your energy bills are higher than usual, that there’s water dripping, or that AC won’t cool your home or even turn on, there’s a good chance that your AC drain line is clogged, in which case you need to remove the clog immediately by using a mixture of distilled water and vinegar, or a cleaner specifically made for cleaning drain lines.
The AC unit is making strange noises
There’s no doubt that noises coming from the AC unit can be irritating. However, when your AC is making weird noises, it’s usually an early sign of an underlying AC issue that would otherwise probably go unnoticed and get worse with time. Depending on the type of underlying AC issue, you may hear hissing, grinding, bubbling, squealing, screeching, buzzing, and clicking sounds. Instead of ignoring these noises, treat them as a warning and contact a technician as soon as possible. They’ll identify the issue at hand and fix the problem before it gets bigger.
There are strange smells coming from the AC
Strange noises coming from the AC are a common occurrence, but some homeowners may also notice strange smells. The smells usually come from the vents but they can also be noticed when simply standing close to the unit. Just like noises, weird smells coming from the AC should not be taken lightly. Other than lowering your home’s air quality, strange smells usually indicate bigger problems. One of the most common smells homeowners notice about their AC is a dingy, stale, and musty odor. It’s a sign of water accumulation, which usually leads to the formation of fungus and mildew. It can also be a sign of air filters that are dirty and need to get changed. Other strange smells you may notice coming from the AC include cigarette smoke, burning plastic, car’s exhaust, rotten eggs, and skunk spray, all of which could indicate a serious problem and often require a HVAC expert to be dealt with.
Wrapping up
AC systems are complex, and as such, they’re bound to break down at some point. The best way to prevent these breakdowns is to keep your eyes peeled for the most common AC problems. That way, you can rest assured that your AC system will be running smoothly when you need it the most.
