If you take good care of your air conditioner by having it serviced by a professional in the spring and by changing the filter regularly, you might make it through the hot days of summer without having to deal with a breakdown. However, AC problems are common, so you should stay alert to early signs of trouble. By getting AC repairs done early, you might be able to avoid a huge repair bill caused by running a faulty unit. Here are three warning signs to watch out for.
1. The AC Keeps Tripping The Breaker
Circuit breakers trip sometimes, and you've probably dealt with resetting a breaker in the past. If your AC is suddenly not working at all, check the breaker to see if it flipped off. Reset the breaker and see if the problem is fixed. If the breaker flips off again, that's a sign there is a problem with your AC or with the electrical circuit.
Give your AC repair professional a call. You might be told to leave your AC off until they can check it. If the breaker keeps flipping, there is something wrong, and turning the breaker back on could put your home at risk of a fire.
2. The AC Leaks Water On The Floor
A clogged condensation drain is a common problem with air conditioners. If your unit is serviced in the spring, the technician will check and clear the line if necessary, but if debris gets caught in the drain again, condensation will back up in the AC or on the floor.
There shouldn't be water near your AC or dripping down the outside of it. Condensation forms on the coils inside, and that's normal. The water falls into the drain pan and then drains outside as long as the drain isn't clogged. If the drain clogs off, a repair technician can clear out the line and fix the problem.
3. Your Power Bill Skyrockets
If your air conditioner needs to run longer than normal to keep you cool, you may not even notice until you open your power bill and wonder why it's so high. If your home isn't as cool as it should be or if your AC runs constantly to keep you cool, you should get to the source of the problem.
The repair technician may check the level of refrigerant. If it's low, there's a leak in your system. The leak has to be detected and then repaired so the refrigerant can be filled to the proper level.
Other problems can cause your AC to work harder and drive up your energy bill too. These include a dirty filter, dirty coils, problems with the thermostat, and restricted airflow. You may have no idea what's wrong with your AC, but an AC repair professional can troubleshoot the indoor and outdoor parts of your air conditioner to get to the cause and make the repairs needed to make your AC operate more efficiently as it keeps your home cool.
If you need AC repair, contact an HVAC contractor near you.
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