Before the summer season starts in Arizona, it’s important to ensure your air conditioning system is ready to run. Replacing the air filter inside your system and cleaning up around your outdoor condenser unit can be very helpful. However, you also need to be concerned with getting professional maintenance service. This holds especially true if you’re experiencing any of the unfortunate issues below.
Vents Blowing Warm Air
One obvious reason that your air conditioning system needs professional care is that it’s blowing hot air. This means that your system is still operating, and your blower components are working. However, you are likely to have one of two problems. The first is that the condenser and evaporator coils are too dirty to allow heat to move through them. The second issue is that you may be low on refrigerant and your system may not be able to move enough heat out of your home.
Short Cycling
One frustrating issue you may deal with is that your air conditioner is running in very short cycles. Your cooling system should only run two to three times per hour. While it certainly can produce some cold air for your home, ultimately it isn’t going to be running long enough to help remove excess humidity.
This can leave your home feeling stuffy. Short cycling not only creates an uncomfortable indoor environment but also can cause excessive wear on the internal components of your air conditioning system. It’s important to have one of our technicians evaluate this issue before it worsens.
Odd Smells
One rather perplexing issue that you may run into with your air conditioning system is that it starts to produce a very odd smell. It’s completely normal for your cooling system to produce a subtle dusty smell when it first starts up for the summer season. This is the result of dust burning off the internal components of your system. It should dissipate within a couple of minutes after running your system.
If the smell doesn’t go away or you’re smelling a different type of odor coming from your air conditioning system, this is a sign that it needs professional service. The scent of the odor that you smell can give you some insight into where the problem might be. As an example, a metallic or chemical smell usually means that there’s a problem with one of the electrical components in your system. However, a musty odor usually indicates mold or mildew growth.
Pooling Water
As your air conditioning system runs, it works to remove excess humidity from the air to help make your home more comfortable for you and your family. Normally, this moisture will drip onto the evaporator coils and down into the drain pan where it gets drained out of your home. If there is an obstruction in your drain pan or drain line, you will notice that water is starting to pool underneath your air conditioning unit. It’s necessary to get the clog removed so that your system can go back to draining the excess water like normally to prevent damage from happening to your home.
Very Weak Airflow
Another potential problem you may run into is that the airflow coming out of your supply vent seems to be very weak. It’s important to check all your supply vents to see if you’re experiencing this weakness at every vent or just at one or two vents. If the problem lies with just a handful of vents, the issue could be that you have a blockage or leakage somewhere in your ducting. This could be a section of the ducting that got dented or has a pest infestation. If the problem is with your whole system, the issue may be a dirty air vent or another faulty component that may be restricting adequate airflow throughout your ductwork.
Abnormal Noises
One problem with your air conditioning system that you don’t want to continue to let go is abnormal noise. Over the usual running of your air conditioning system, you’re going to hear noises like popping or cracking in your metal ductwork as it changes temperatures. You’ll also hear the blower fan running to move air throughout your ductwork.
However, if you start to hear another noise, it needs to be checked out by one of our professionals. Just like with an odd smell, the tone of the abnormal noise that you’re experiencing can give you some insight into where the problem may be with your system. Usually, a rattling noise will indicate that there’s a loose component, while a squealing noise means that the blower fan belt is about to give out.
Your Energy Bills Are High
If you start to notice that your energy bills are a lot higher than normal when you’re running your air conditioning system, it’s likely an indication that there’s something amiss with your system. It’s best to start with the air filter to ensure that it isn’t overly dirty and in need of replacement.
If the filter is not the issue and your outside condenser unit is free from debris, then it’s necessary to have one of our helpful HVAC technicians assess the issue. This will allow us to determine the root cause. You never want to continue to run an inefficient cooling system, as it can do more damage to the system and cause you to pay more for your energy bills than is necessary.
Overly Dusty Home
One rather annoying issue with your air conditioning system is that there’s an excessive amount of dust accumulation throughout your home. You may notice that the surfaces that you just dusted yesterday have a layer of more dust within a day or two.
A lot of times, this excessive dust accumulation is due to too much debris stuck inside your ductwork. This can restrict the free flow of air throughout your system, cause you to go through way too many air filters, and even cause excessive wear and tear on the internal components of your air conditioning system.
A Note on Spring Maintenance Service
A tune-up service is necessary whenever you experience any of the issues that we have reviewed above. It’s also important to point out that you should be getting a maintenance service every spring for your system. This helps to maintain the warranty coverage on your air conditioning system and goes a long way in extending its overall lifespan. Furthermore, regular maintenance service helps to catch any potential issues with your system while they’re small and easy to fix. This will help to significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a breakdown during the hot summer season.
Our annual membership plan costs $99 and includes a 15% savings on new heating and cooling equipment. You also get a 15% discount on all our services. If you need an emergency repair, you receive priority over non-members. A complimentary plumbing and HVAC inspection is included.
Exceptional AC Maintenance Service
Goettl's High Desert Mechanical offers exceptional air conditioning maintenance service for the Camp Verde, AZ area. We can also help with all your air conditioning, heating, air duct, zone control system, and indoor air quality needs. Simply call our knowledgeable office staff today to book your next service consultation with one of our knowledgeable HVAC technicians.
