AC units can last between 15 and 20 years—or even longer—with proper care. While proper care includes routine servicing and tune-ups, it also includes ongoing and informed monitoring by the property owner or tenant to know if the AC is broken. Suppose you stay vigilant to potential AC problems. In that case, whether it's unusually warm air, fast cycling, or a change in how your AC unit sounds, you can quickly catch potential problems before they turn into expensive emergencies and complete AC failures. At 1-800-Plumber + Air, we want to help each of our clients have the knowledge and answers they need to proactively respond to AC problems. Keep an eye (and ear) out for these warning signs your AC is starting to break.
Warning Signs: How to Tell If Your Air Conditioner Is Broken
Continually monitor your air conditioner for signs that it is going out or needs replacing. Once you catch these signs, you can do some light troubleshooting on your own to decide if it's a DIY repair, or you can schedule an appointment with a licensed AC technician from 1-800-Plumber + Air.
Some of the most common problems you can watch for as part of your long-term strategy for how to know if the AC is broken include:
Frequent Cycling
Frequent cycling, or short cycling, happens when you have low refrigerant, dirty and frozen evaporator coils, or a poorly sized unit. Basically, the unit has to work too hard to cool the space, and that means it's frequently on.
Low Airflow or Warm Airflow
When your vents don't provide a sufficient flow of cool air, there could be many problems behind the scenes. Problems likely include clogged ductwork, a worn compressor, or low refrigerant.
Smells
Different smells indicate different problems. Mustiness could indicate clogs and buildup, while a burnt rubber smell could indicate damaged wiring. When you schedule an appointment, try to describe the smell to your AC service.
Whistling
Whistling indicates low refrigerant, typically due to a leak in the refrigerant line. While a technician is unlikely to be able to locate and repair the leak (especially if your interior unit sits a long distance from the exterior unit), they can top off your refrigerant. Along with eliminating the whistling sound, your unit will cool the air more efficiently.
Clanking or Banging
Your AC's central unit has many moving parts. Over time, parts can loosen, or gaskets and fasteners can wear out, making the parts bang, rub, or clang against each other. This will lead to mechanical damage and increased wear and tear that shortens the unit's lifespan. A technician can easily inspect the unit and identify and replace broken components.
The thermostat Keeps Turning Off
Thermostat issues can silently make your AC misbehave. Resetting the unit or replacing the batteries if you don't have a direct-wired thermostat can be as simple as fixing the issue. If you see error codes or your thermostat keeps shutting off despite having plenty of power, contact a licensed technician for troubleshooting services.
High Electricity Bills
Your electricity bills fluctuate throughout the seasons, especially if you live in a region with very hot summers. But if your energy bills skyrocket from one month to the next, that could indicate that your AC is overworking. Clogged filters, for example, will make the motor work harder to push air through it. Rips in your air ducts could also make the machine continually cycle to try and cool your home, leading to higher energy consumption.
Keep an eye out for surprisingly high bills. To track seasonal variations, compare your bills from one month to the next or from last year's spending.
Are You in Need of an AC Repair? Contact the Experts at 1-800-Plumber +Air
Each of these problems means your AC is beginning to break down, and monitoring them is a great strategy for determining whether the AC is broken. Contact 1-800-Plumber + Air to schedule an appointment with a local licensed HVAC technician and get free pricing for your repairs.
