When the air conditioning system in your Slaton, Texas, home doesn’t seem to be cooling as well as normal, you may wonder whether you should be concerned. An air conditioning system will often provide some warning signs when it needs attention from an HVAC technician. Keep an eye out for some of the most common signs and know who to call for assistance.
Lack of Airflow
When the air coming through your vents feels weak, the compressor in the air conditioning system may be failing. Unfortunately, the compressor is one of the most vital components, so this type of issue may end up requiring a total system replacement. However, a lack of airflow can also be caused by other potential issues. For example, if your ductwork is blocked, the air won’t be able to move through the ducts properly. Even a dirty filter can cause issues with the flow of air to the rest of the house.
Keeping up with regular HVAC maintenance can reduce the risk of having this problem at your home. During an AC tune-up, your technician will inspect all the components and take a look at the ductwork to see how well air can flow through it. If they spot any warning signs during that maintenance service, you can have repairs performed right away instead of allowing the system to continue to run inefficiently.
Warm Air Coming Through the Vents
If the air conditioning system isn’t able to provide cool air throughout the space, this can indicate that the unit is running low on refrigerant. When an AC unit runs, it relies on refrigerant to remove heat from the air before redistributing the cool air throughout the space. If your unit has a leak, the refrigerant can escape, resulting in a lack of cooling ability.
Warm air coming through your vents can also indicate a problem with the compressor. Even a failing thermostat could be to blame, as it may not be communicating properly with the rest of the AC system. Contact one of our HVAC technicians if this problem is impacting the indoor temperature at your home.
Stinky Odors
Unpleasant odors are never fun, especially when they’re coming from your HVAC system and impacting the air throughout your home. The smell of natural gas could indicate the presence of a gas leak, which is a concerning issue that you should address immediately. An electrical smell could mean the wiring is giving out, while a musty odor often means you have moisture within your ductwork or cooling unit. Even something trapped within your ducts could cause a strange smell that permeates the house.
You may want to invest in regular duct cleaning to prevent debris from settling in the ducts and impacting the quality of the air you breathe indoors, as well as impacting how well the AC can move air through the ductwork. Duct cleaning can remove odor-causing bacteria and debris from causing unpleasant smells in your air as well.
Strange Sounds
Although an HVAC system makes some noise when it operates, you may notice some unusual sounds coming from the unit when something is awry. The sound of metal grinding on metal could mean that the motor bearings are not working properly. If you hear a squealing sound, a belt may have slipped out of place or come loose. A lack of lubrication on the metal components can also result in a grinding or squeaking sound. The sound of knocking could indicate a more serious problem that should be addressed by an HVAC technician.
Thermostat Troubles
If your thermostat is reading the wrong temperature or otherwise behaving strangely, you may just need a new one. Luckily, this is a fairly easy fix in most cases. If you’d like more control over your indoor temperature, you may want to upgrade to a smart thermostat that you can access from an app on your smartphone or tablet. These units connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network and often come with energy-saving features that help you keep your heating and cooling bills under control.
If your air conditioning system is showing signs that it needs some attention, our HVAC technicians at Bruce Thorton can help, so contact us at (806) 589-1014.
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