Living in Florida means relying on your air conditioning almost year-round to keep your home comfortable and cool.
As an HVAC company with 12 years of experience, we know the signs to look for before your air conditioner breaks down and how to spot them.
The last thing you want is deal with a Florida summer without AC, and our hope is to provide you with
However, regular use can wear down your AC unit over time, leading to inefficiencies or breakdowns.
Recognizing the signs that your AC needs professional repair can save you from the discomfort of a malfunctioning system and costly energy bills.
Here are the top five signs to watch out for:
- Unusual Noises
A typical air conditioner should be quiet with a slight hum so you know it’s working.
When an air conditioner is about to break down or is worn out, you’ll notice the noise start to gradually get louder. Almost like a washing machine buzzing in the background.
These noises arise from different components within the AC unit struggling to operate under less-than-ideal conditions. For instance, bearings within the fan motor may become worn over time, causing them to make grinding or screeching noises as they struggle to rotate the fan blade smoothly.
Another common source of noise is the movement of loose or dislodged parts within the unit.
As an air conditioner operates, vibrations can cause screws, bolts, and other fasteners to loosen.
These parts may then rattle against the frame of the unit or other components, creating various banging or clattering sounds. Such disruptions can indicate that parts of the AC are out of alignment or in need of tightening or replacement, which if ignored, could affect the overall functionality of the system.
- Not As Cold As It Should Be
You know this when you feel it. You turn on the AC and after a few minutes, it’s not cooling down to the level you’re used to.
This problem arises due to issues affecting the heat transfer process that is central to the air conditioning cycle.
For instance, if the evaporator or condenser coils are dirty, the system cannot efficiently transfer heat out of the indoor air.
Similarly, obstructions like clogged air filters restrict airflow over the coils, further diminishing the unit’s ability to cool effectively. Both scenarios impede the AC’s capacity to absorb heat from the indoor environment, leading to less cooling.
Another reason for reduced cooling involves refrigerant levels. Refrigerant is the substance that the AC system uses to absorb and release heat from the air inside a home.
If there’s a leak in the refrigerant lines, the level of refrigerant can drop below the necessary amount, severely impairing the system’s cooling ability. With insufficient refrigerant, the air conditioner struggles to remove heat efficiently, causing the output air to feel warmer than expected.
This issue not only decreases cooling but can also cause the evaporator coils to freeze, further blocking the airflow.
- High Humidity Levels Inside
We’re used to sticky weather in Florida, but when it’s too much inside – something might be wrong with your AC.
When air conditioners require repair, one noticeable symptom that may emerge is an increase in indoor humidity levels. This rise in humidity can occur due to several issues within the AC system, primarily revolving around its reduced ability to regulate moisture in the air.
Normally, as part of the cooling process, air conditioners remove moisture from the air through condensation.
The air passes over the cold evaporator coils, and moisture condenses on these coils, effectively dehumidifying the air.
However, if the system is failing—whether due to dirty coils, insufficient airflow, or low refrigerant levels—the process of condensation is hindered, resulting in higher humidity.
- Frequent Cycling Between On and Off
This is one of the most common reasons we’re called out to service homes in Bradenton. If your AC is operating automatically, you’ll notice that the Air conditioning unit will turn on sometimes with a purr before shutting itself off.
The problem is when this cycle becomes too frequent, turning itself on and off every couple of minutes.
One common cause of short cycling is an oversized AC unit. When an air conditioner is too large for the space it is intended to cool, it cools the air very quickly and then shuts off.
However, because it doesn’t run long enough to remove sufficient humidity from the air, the thermostat detects the humidity as a false sign of warmth and quickly turns the AC back on.
This repeated on-and-off cycle puts extra stress on the AC components, particularly the compressor, and can lead to frequent breakdowns.
Another factor that contributes to short cycling is mechanical issues within the air conditioner itself, such as a malfunctioning thermostat or a leaking refrigerant line.
A faulty thermostat may incorrectly read the indoor temperature, causing the AC to turn off prematurely and then quickly restart when it realizes the air isn’t at the desired temperature. Similarly, if there is a refrigerant leak, the unit may start up and begin to cool but then quickly turn off when it fails to reach the cooling capacity due to the decreased levels of refrigerant.
Both scenarios can lead to short cycling, which not only reduces the efficiency of the air conditioning system but also increases wear and tear, potentially leading to more significant repairs or the need for a replacement.
- High Energy Bills
Perhaps the clearest sign your AC isn’t functioning properly is the energy bills.
Usually this means you are being charged more than what’s typical, even though nothing has changed.
This spike in energy consumption is primarily due to the decreased efficiency of the AC unit.
As components of the air conditioner wear out or malfunction—such as the compressor, the evaporator coils, or the fan motors—the system has to work harder to produce the same level of cooling.
This inefficiency is because the damaged or worn-out parts cannot perform their functions effectively, forcing the AC to run longer cycles or operate continuously to maintain the desired indoor temperature.
Issues such as refrigerant leaks or clogged filters can exacerbate the problem.
A refrigerant leak reduces the overall amount of refrigerant available to absorb heat, meaning the system must operate for a longer period to achieve the same cooling effect.
Similarly, clogged air filters restrict the flow of air through the system, making it difficult for the AC to circulate and cool the air efficiently.
Both conditions lead to increased energy consumption because the air conditioner must expend more energy to overcome these obstacles to maintain a comfortable indoor climate.
What Should I Do If My AC Needs Repair?
If your air conditioner needs repair, we’re available to service your home ASAP.
Florida can get brutally hot quickly and unexpectedly. Don’t become a victim of a faulty AC unit.
To get your AC serviced, call us now at (941)-812-1571!