What does the term “red flag” mean to you? Perhaps it’s someone bringing up a dealbreaker on their first date. Or maybe it’s a used car for sale with an odd paint choice to cover up the rusted frame.
As consumers, we need to be on the lookout for red flags because they can sometimes be the difference between purchasing a lemon and investing in a system that’s worth it. In the case of AC, there are a million red flags to look out for, but they can get trickier when you already own the system.
For instance, if your AC is running smoothly in your home and there’s nothing that gives you pause, then congratulations! You can sit back and relax. But if your AC is making a sound, smelling bad, or doing something else that makes you concerned, then you might have a red flag on your hand that requires AC repair in Millbury!
Foul Odors Coming From Your AC
An air conditioner is supposed to cool the air in your home, that much is clear. But how it does that, or some of the other byproducts of this process are lesser known to regular people.
Here’s the deal, your AC actually removes moisture from the air as it runs, which collects in a condensate drain that empties out somewhere outdoors. If the condensate drain gets clogged up, it can grow mold and eventually stink up your entire AC. This is where some foul odors come from and they can be a real hassle.
Be sure to call for support if you detect any foul odors, so a professional can clean out your condensate drain for good.
Weird and Uncomfortable Noises
Noises are always bad to notice, unless it’s just the gentle hum of the system cooling your air.
Buzzing, rattling, shaking, grinding, spinning, and even bubbling or hissing–these are signs of a malfunctioning air conditioner. Each sound can point to a different culprit, but they’re all bad and none of them are particularly easy to fix on your own. So make sure you stay vigilant for these noises and call for help when you detect them.
Problems With the Cycling
When your air conditioner runs, how long exactly does it work? You can pull out a timer if you’d like, or you can just guesstimate by looking at the clock when it’s convenient. A regular air conditioner should run for 15-20 minutes in a normal cooling cycle.
An air conditioner can sometimes go beyond that, or abruptly finish a cycle early. Going longer means that the system can’t quite cool the space in your home which is common for homes with new additions or insulation problems. You might need to get your system resized so it can cool your home easily.
An AC that runs in short, frequent cycles is doing something called short cycling. This is basically an issue where the system cools your home down too quickly, overheats, or gets stifled and must shut down abruptly. This can be caused by numerous different issues, but the bad news is that you need to call a professional ASAP, because this problem can get worse.
Contact Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric for AC support that you can count on. We take comfort in YOUR comfort.