To say that it’s hot in Florida is an understatement. It regularly stays above 90 degrees all summer long. It doesn’t fall below 80 until November and it’s still 74 degrees in December.
While this makes for a tropical paradise for most of the year, it also means that going without air conditioning is simply not an option for most of the year.
This means you’ll want to make sure that your air conditioning is always in tip-top shape, which means regular maintenance and upkeep. If your air conditioning has been making strange noises, that could be a bad sign. Here are 5 ac sounds you should keep your ears open for to make sure your air conditioning is always running at its peak performance.
5 AC Noises To Listen For
Do keep in mind with AC noises that prevention is far preferable to replacement. That is to say, if you let these AC noises go on for too long they can do irreparable damage to your entire air conditioning unit may need to be repaired or even replaced if things are too severe.
Shrieking
When we say shrieking, we’re talking about a loud, mechanical noise, somewhere between hissing and grinding. When you hear shrieking, it’s a good indication of a problem with the motor on your AC. It can also be a sign of a motor bearing that’s starting to go out. This is less of a severe issue but should addressed as soon as you notice it.
Worn down bearings wear out motors by creating too much friction, which can lead to permanent damage. If you hear a shrieking sound from your AC you should schedule an inspection as quickly as possible, before it becomes a more serious, and expensive, problem.
Grinding
Grinding AC sounds are also often an indication of a motor problem. A grinding sound coming from your AC means that the motor has either accumulated too much dust and debris or that it’s lost too much lubrication. All of these things are part of the normal wear=and-tear on an AC unit. AC technicians in Florida usually check for such a thing, but you might think to ask your service worker to take a look at it during your regularly scheduled maintenance.
If you smell a bitter, burning smell along with the grinding noise, it’s a good sign that your motor’s already damaged. If you notice this, turn off your air conditioning immediately and call a service professional.
A grinding noise can also be a sign of a faulty air handler. This also can lead to more serious problems if left untended, so you’ll want to get in touch with an AC repair person as quickly as possible to get that checked out.
Rattling
A rattling sound is often an indication of a minor, easy-to-fix dilemma. Often, a rattling noise is merely an indication that a cabinet door is loose. You can usually fix this yourself with only a screwdriver.
Rattling could also be indicative of a more serious problem. It could be a sign that loose parts are being tossed around inside the blower. It could also be a sign of loose fan blades. It could even be an indication that your AC unit is tearing itself loose from its concrete foundation, if you’ve got an external unit, or that your duct work is coming loose.
If you tighten the screws on your cabinet door and the rattling sound persists, you should get in touch with a trained AC repair person.
Hissing
When we say hissing, we don’t mean the sound of an angry adder. It’s more like the sound of tire escaping from a punctured tire. Most likely, when you hear a hissing sound coming out of your AC unit, it’s a sign that there’s a leak in the refrigerant unit. This can also be indicated by a bubbling noise.
A hissing sound coming out of your AC unit most likely isn’t the end of the world. It’s also a sign that your AC isn’t going to be doing much good, as refrigerant is what’s used for cooling.
If you hear a hissing noise, contact an AC service professional to have them come check your lines.
Short-Cycling
This noise is a sign of two problems. For one, your AC unit undergoes a ton of unnecessary wear and tear. It also means that your space never gets cool, as the the thermostat never reaches its desired temperature.
Short-cycling is when an AC or furnace turns on and off rapidly, in short succession, rather than in longer, more drawn-out intervals throughout the day. There can be a number of causes for short-cycling. It can be caused by improper installation, for instance. If you’ve had your AC for a while, however, this is unlikely the case.
Short-cycling can also be caused by a clogged filter that’s restricting airflow to the main system. It could also be a sign of a more serious problem that could leave you sweating without AC.
Having a good air conditioner is part of what makes living in The Sunshine State so sweet. To make sure you keep living your best life in Florida, make sure that your AC stays in peak performance. And if you hear any strange sounds don’t hesitate to give us a call!
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