Time is of the essence when it comes to mitigating damage to your air conditioning system. That means being aware of the various signs that your air conditioner is experiencing a problem. The faster you can have a problem with your system repaired, the more damage you can prevent. One of the most obvious signs that your air conditioner is in trouble is strange noises coming from the system during operation. Let’s take a look at some of the noises you should be aware of this summer.
Grinding
Your air conditioner uses a part called the air handler to circulate air throughout the home during operation. Moving that much air puts a lot of strain on the system, so to compensate the air handler motor is equipped with oiled bearings. The bearings will wear down over time, causing the friction on the air handler motor to increase, producing a loud grinding sound. If you hear this sound, you should call for repairs before the bearings fail completely and the air handler burns out.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your air conditioner turns on and off every couple of minutes. This dramatically increases the amount of wear and tear on the system, increasing the possibility of it breaking down. It can be caused by a number of different factors. It’s possible that there’s a short in the wiring between your thermostat and your air conditioner, causing commands to be erratically received by the system. It’s also possible that the compressor is damaged. The compressor is the part of the air conditioner responsible for circulating refrigerant gas through the system. If the compressor is damaged or faulty, the rhythm of the entire system can be thrown off. If you hear your air conditioner doing this, you should call for repairs as soon as possible.
Douglas Cooling & Heating offers a full range of air conditioner repair services in Birmingham and throughout Jefferson County, AL.
