If you own a home, building, or building complex that depends on the regular functioning of an HVAC system, then you should know that some problems could be a lot more serious than they initially appear.
The average cost to replace an HVAC is $10,000 or more.
There are some HVAC-related problems you don’t want to deal with without 24-hour emergency access to professional HVAC contractors. And the problems will only get worse if you don’t recognize how serious they can be.
Here are seven examples.
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1. Air Conditioner Blowing Warm Air
If your air conditioner is only blowing out warm air, then call for repairs immediately. Besides making your interior environment stifling hot, humid, and uncomfortable, it’s a sign of potentially major problems.
There could be a severe blockage in the vents. The air compressor might need replacing or repair. And the air blown out from the system might get progressively hotter but never cooler, so don’t wait on a 24-hour emergency repair call.
2. Abnormal AC Noises
In the same manner that you know how your car or your refrigerator sounds during optimum operation, you should know how your air conditioner sounds during times of normal operation.
No two air conditioners sound alike or operate quietly. But the average air conditioner hums, throbs, or makes low-level motorized noises.
You should recognize the regular noises and noise level of your air conditioner when it’s normally operating.
If your air conditioning becomes aggressively and disturbingly louder when in operation or makes loud hissing noises, turn it off. And get it repaired as soon as possible.
If it becomes noisily louder, then air may be caught in a coolant line. Is it making ominous grinding noises? Then the motor or compressor could be busted. Hissing sounds could mean a coolant leak.
3. Foul Odors
Call a professional HVAC repair contractor the moment you smell odd or foul odors coming from your air conditioner or vent system.
The smell could be caused by a buildup of debris and grime. It’s more likely that a small or medium-sized animal died in the AC’s mechanical system or somewhere in the vent network.
And don’t wait to call for help since the odor may get progressively worse.
4. Visible Ice Forming on HVAC System
If you see visible ice forming any component of your air conditioning or HVAC system, then it could be a sign of a serious problem.
It could mean that your evaporator coils are malfunctioning or stopped working completely. The cause may be caused by a filter clogged with grime or some kind of leak. And the problem will only get worse with further operation unless fixed promptly.
5. High Humidity
Sometimes an air conditioner or HVAC system may work optimally and yet still raise indoor humidity levels by appreciable levels. This is not normal.
6. Rapid Cycling
Many commercial HVAC systems are automated. And they can be scheduled to turn off and on according to the controller’s preferences.
If you notice that your HVAC system is cycling on and off more often, then it could mean that there could be issues with some electrical connections or the thermostat.
7. Burning Electrical Smell
A burning, intense, electrical smell could indicate that component wiring in the HVAC system could be damaged and even potentially arcing.
Turn off the unit or system and don’t turn it on again until a professional HVAC contractor arrives. Such damage could cause a fire.
If you need access to a 24-hour emergency HVAC partner, then consult Standard Plumbing and Heating today.
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