3 Signs Your Air Conditioner Desperately Needs Repairs

Summers in the desert are among the hottest, most harrowing in the country. You absolutely do not want to be caught without a functioning air conditioner of some kind in your home; it’s both unsafe and uncomfortable. So, as you rely on your air conditioner to keep cool this summer, it’s important that you keep an eye out for any signs that your system is experiencing trouble of some kind. You don’t want to have your air conditioner break down on you in the middle of summer. Let’s take a look at three of the most common signs that your system is in trouble.

Low Output

Declining output is one of the most obvious signs that your system is in trouble. This could be for a variety of reasons, depending on the nature of the declining output. Is the system not circulating enough air? You might have an issue with the air handler. The air handler is the part of the system that is responsible for circulating air during operation. Most of the time, a problem with the air handler is due to the motor. If the motor malfunctions, the air conditioner can’t circulate enough air and the output will drop.

If the air conditioner is circulating plenty of air, but it isn’t as cold as it should be, you might have a problem with the thermostat or the refrigerant line. Of the two, a refrigerant issue is much more serious. Refrigerant leaks drain the air conditioner of the fluid that it absolutely needs to operate. As the output level drops with the refrigerant level, it will eventually reach a point where the air conditioner can’t operate anymore and shuts down completely.

Odd Noises

You really don’t want to ignore it if your system starts to make unusual noises during operation. That often indicates that the system is experiencing some kind of issue. What kind of issue it is, and how severe it is, depends on the kind of noise. Grinding tends to mean that the bearings in the air handler motor need to be replaced, before it burns out. Hissing and gurgling could mean a leak in either the refrigerant or the condensate line, both of which need to be addressed immediately. You’ll need to have a professional examine the system to know for certain.

Short Cycling

One of the most dangerous issues an air conditioner can have. Short cycling is when the system turns itself on and off every couple of minutes. This could be caused by an electrical issue with the thermostat, or a damaged compressor in the air conditioner itself. Short cycling substantially increases the wear and tear on the system, making parts break down much more often and shortening the lifespan of the air conditioner as a whole. If it isn’t fixed soon, you could end up replacing your air conditioner years sooner than anticipated.

Goettl offers a full range of air conditioning repair services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians.