Despite the fact that most of the country is moving out of the warmer months, there's still plenty of time for your AC unit to give you problems. While some of these can be solved by the homeowner with relative ease, other issues require a professional HVAC company to perform air conditioning repairs on your unit. Unfortunately, the problems that plague most air conditioners are relatively common, so work through the list below if your unit starts to give you grief and see if any of the symptoms line up.
Weird Sounds
Though this isn't technically a problem per se, any noises coming from your air conditioner is a cause for alarm. When operating efficiently, the only sound you should ever hear from your HVAC system is a gentle click when the system turns on and off, so if you hear a screeching, grinding, or clicking sound, call an HVAC company immediately. Continual clicking sounds indicate that your unit is trying to turn over and stay on, while a screeching sound usually means there's a problem with your belt. Alternatively, if your vents sound like they're filled with BBs, then you probably have a part that's broken off and is rattling around inside your ductwork. All of these issues have the potential to develop into major problems down the road, so it's best to get them fixed as soon as you start hearing them.
Not Turning On
Almost homeowners can put up with the occasional glitch in their system, but when your system simply refuses to turn on, that's a problem. Check your breaker box to ensure there is not a switch that's been flipped, and then make sure your thermostat is operational. If neither of those is the issue, it's most likely a disconnected power source to the unit or the motor has gone out completely. Both of those require professional air conditioning repair service since they pose major challenges for even the most hardened of DIY enthusiasts.
Uneven Temperature
Over time, AC units can become worn down and may not cool your home down as efficiently. Normally, the rooms that are farthest from your AC unit suffer first, since air has to travel farther to get there. Eventually though, all of your rooms will experience a fluctuation in temperature, which is indicative of your system failing. Sometimes this can be solved by simply cleaning the air ducts and replacing the air filter, while at other times you may need major air conditioning repairs such as changing the belt or replacing the motor.
For more information, contact an air conditioning repair service today.