Ask Art: Is My AC Broken?
When it comes to South Florida’s heat, there’s no point in trying to fight it; just keep the AC running. Unfortunately, the constant use without regular maintenance may eventually cause your AC to stop working. To make matters worse, it can be quite difficult to know if your AC is broken or needs some attention.
Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric would like to make this process easier and give you the most common signs that your AC fan is broken.
Your AC Won’t Turn On
Have you turned down the thermostat and your temperature has stayed the same, or worse, it’s increased? We’re sorry to be the ones telling you, but chances are that there’s a problem with your cooling system. This could mean that power isn’t reaching your AC unit or that the signal is getting lost somewhere along the way.
Before calling a professional, there are some checks that you could do to be sure that there is a problem:
- Checking that you did in fact set the thermostat to cool
- Replacing the battery
- Checking the circuit breaker
After all these checks if the problem is still there, you need to call an HVAC professional.
Warm or No Air
The purpose of an AC is to make sure that your home is at the perfect temperature. So, when you start feeling uncomfortable, there’s a problem. Being uncomfortable is arguably one of the most obvious signs that your AC fan is broken and is not running at optimum condition.
If there is warm or no air coming out of the vents, there are a number of components that could need repair or replacement.
Some of the most common would be the:
- Cooling system
- Condenser
- Low refrigerant
- Compressor
Loud Noises
Living in South Florida, we all know what an AC should sound like. Typically, if your AC fan is broken, you’ll hear it before anything else. But, just for fun, let’s go over some of the worrisome sounds that we hope to never hear. While you will hear the air being blown out of the vents, your AC should not sound like a torture chamber.
If you hear knocking, squealing, or grinding sounds coming from your AC you need to switch it off and call a professional. Each noise hints at a different internal issue that requires a different solution.
Strange Smells
The air being pushed out of the vents should not have a smell. Similar to noises, different smells mean different issues. And all of them are bad!
A foul and pungent smell may be an indication that the conditioner’s wire insulation has burned out. An older, more stale smell could mean that there is mold in your AC unit or ductwork. This needs to be addressed immediately. Moldy air is a serious health risk and could make your family terribly sick.
Leaking Moisture
Your AC should not be leaking moisture, and if it is, you need to call a professional immediately. While there could be a number of reasons for the leak, the worst-case scenario could pose a serious health risk to your family.
The less serious explanation for the moisture could be a blockage in the drain tube that disposes of AC condensation. Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario would be if your AC is leaking refrigerant. This poisonous liquid can cause people and animals to become seriously ill.
Increased Utility Bills
As we’re sure you’re aware, an AC is one of the appliances in a home that draws a lot of power. Keeping in mind that just for all products, the price of electricity increases. But if you notice an abnormal spike in your utility bill, there may be an issue with your AC. Increased utility bills are a sign that your AC is breaking down and is in need of some TLC.
How Art Can Help You Today
Make sure your AC system is there to cool you down. If you’re unsure whether it’s doing its job, call us today at 1-800-475-1504. If you’ve got a broken AC fan or a malfunctioning HVAC system, Art Can Fix It!
