According to one study, air conditioners use about 6% of all the electricity in the United States.
Clearly, the AC system is very important, so how do you pay attention to when it might be on its way out? The AC condenser can give you plenty of clues.
If you aren’t sure what signs to watch out for, make sure you keep reading so that you can fix your AC before it goes out.
1. Warm Air
One of the first signs that you need to call Schneider Mechanical HVAC repair is if warm air is coming out rather than cool air. This means that the flow of refrigerants might be restricted.
However, the fins of the condenser could also become instructed or damaged, which would reduce the condenser’s performance.
2. AC Leak
If there is a blockage, it could also be leaking which means that the AC condenser unit will need to be either repaired or replaced. Unless you look closely, you probably won’t notice a leak.
Sometimes there is a dye included in the refrigerant so that the fluid will be a bright color and you’ll be able to notice quickly.
3. Dirty Unit
If you notice that the unit is getting dirty, then it might be clogged. This means that it won’t be able to properly cool the air because the debris will block an even flow of heat transfer.
If you want to clean your condenser, you can start by making sure it has enough room to breathe. You might want to try removing the dirt and weed from it.
To avoid getting it dirty and clogged in the future, make sure you have someone come out and do regular maintenance on it.
4. Won’t Turn On
If your condenser is broken, the pressure in the system might be too high. If this happens, the HVAC won’t even turn on to make sure that it doesn’t damage your HVAC system even more.
If you think this is the case, you should go to your electrical service panel and check to make sure that a fuse isn’t blown first. If the switch is somewhere in the middle, you may have a problem with your electrical system rather than your HVAC.
5. Overheating
If you don’t have enough refrigerant going through your air conditioner, it won’t get rid of all the heat that the system generates. When that happens, the heat will build up and ruin your HVAC.
This could be a sign that it’s not going to last very much longer, and you should call a professional as soon as possible because it could pose a fire hazard.
6. Smells Bad
Have you walked into your home lately and noticed that there have been unpleasant smells? If you track the odor to your HVAC system, you should deal with the issue before it gets even worse.
You can call a professional out, and they can tell you quickly whether you need a full cleaning session, a slight tune-up, or a full replacement.
One method that they will use to test your air conditioner is an ultraviolet lamp. This will show you if you have any microbial growth on your air conditioner. All you might need to do is replace your air filter, but they may also have to have someone clean your ducts to help the smell.
7. Poor Airflow
While your air might be blowing out of the vents, is it blowing out hard enough to actually cool your home? Poor airflow is a sign that there is a blockage or your AC isn’t working as efficiently as it could be.
If you find that this is a common problem but you aren’t ready to replace your HVAC system, you could also try using an energy-recovery ventilator. This will help to boost your air conditioner.
It works by exchanging some of the stale air for some fresh air whenever your HVAC system starts over again. This can also help you cool down certain zones of your home rather than paying to heat the entire home.
Plus, you’ll also get good airflow in the areas that you really need the most.
8. High Humidity Levels
Even if there is a lot of humidity outside, you shouldn’t be dealing with it inside your home as well. Your air conditioner is actually designed to help moderate the level of humidity that is in your home.
If your cooling system can’t help keep the moisture level at a good range, you’ll likely need a repair or a replacement.
9. Higher Energy Bills
Another sign that your condenser isn’t working is that your energy bills start costing you more and more. While it’s normal to have your bills cost more in the summer rather than the winter, you should have a good idea of the average price that it costs to cool your home.
While having a professional come out to look at your HVAC system might be expensive, it will help you save in the long run by lowering your energy bill each month.
Discover More Signs of an AC Condenser On Its Way Out
These are only a few signs that your AC condenser is on its way out, but there are many more signs to watch out for.
We know that dealing with AC problems can be stressful, but we’re here to help you out.
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