We recently discussed different ways that your air conditioner can be acting up and working incorrectly. In this blog, we will talk more about more possibilities, namely a noisy A/C unit and a system that refuses to turn off. Even after discussing these AC failures as well, we have only scratched the surface. Whenever you have an HVAC working in an unexpected way, call a professional to prevent additional damage from occurring.
Air Conditioner Is Making Noises – Some modern AC units are extremely quiet, with minimal noise, even on startups and slowdowns. For more homeowners, however, a faint mechanical sound and a constant hum are common when running cool air. Hearing extra noises is a cause for concern, and common sense judgment can usually take you far when it comes to identifying a problem. The most common noise you will hear that should lead to further investigation is a rattling noise coming from the unit.
A rattling noise is most commonly caused by loose screws, components, or debris in the condenser. Over time, your cooling system’s small but constant vibrations can dislodge screws and misalign components, causing a ‘ting’ as the metal bangs lightly against another piece. You can check a condenser for debris and clear any sticks, stones, or leaves that you find. A quick glance at your main AC fan might also reveal larger pieces of debris that could be the culprit of the rattling noise. A professional might be required for screws or hinges deep inside the system or vents.
Your AC might also make some high-pitched squeaks and squeals, often a sign of high pressure or leaks. There are a few possible reasons for these noises, such as a compressor undergoing too much pressure, a compressor component, like a valve, failing, or the cooling refrigerant leaking. If you ever hear a constant screech of high pitch noise, you should turn off the entire system and contact a trained professional immediately.
A/C Will Not Turn Off – If your air conditioner has ever been broken during the summer months of Florida, you would likely give anything in the world to have a functioning AC. Still, an AC unit that doesn’t turn off no matter what you do can be just as annoying, as well as the source of an unexpectedly high energy bill. There are a few similar but distinct reasons why your A/C will not power down.
Your AC might not be powering down because of a broken component failing to provide accurate information to the system as a whole. When you tell your AC to turn off, the thermostat should begin to limit the electricity that powers the system until components such as the contactors stop the cooling process. However, if there is an electrical failure somewhere between the thermostat and the cooling unit, the system might constantly receive power and never receive the signal telling it to power down. In this case, electrical work would need to be done to rewire the connection.
In a different scenario, the A/C might be attempting to reach a specific temperature but fail due to some of the reasons discussed in this blog and our previous blog. If the temperature is never reached, the unit will try to work until it hits its target. If dust, debris, or component failures limit the unit’s efficiency, it might run perpetually until you give it the command to stop.
Air conditioning units are fundamental to life here in Florida, and every homeowner needs to know the causes and solutions to these common problems. If you have an issue that needs to be addressed, call the experts at Ocean Air.