It’s the height of summer and you’re sweating through your sheets every night. Your air conditioning system isn’t working at all, or isn’t able to keep up with the sweltering weather, and you need it fixed. When should you call the experts, and what are the troubleshooting steps you can take to safely check potential fixes or at least narrow down the problem on your own?
When to Call Professional HVAC Technicians Right Away
You Smell Burning
Burning odors may be caused by electrical issues or components overheating within the unit. In either case, immediately turn the system off and call for service as quickly as possible.
Your AC system is Making Strange Noises
Loud screeching, gurgling, or hissing noises from the AC unit indicate potentially dangerous mechanical issues. A fan belt might be loose, the compressor may be operating under too much pressure, or refrigerant may be escaping from a leak, just to give a few examples.In any case, the system should be powered down and left alone until a professional can diagnose the issue.
Your AC Unit Has Substantial Ice Buildup or is Causing Water Overflow
AC units naturally condense a certain amount of water, which is usually collected and drained away. If there is a problem with the unit and you notice ice formation or water overflowing from the unit, shut it down and call for service. Large amounts of water discharge or a steady drip that’s ignored for too long can pose a serious hazard to your home or your health (mold—its bad news), and can damage your AC unit as well.
DIY Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Steps
Is your AC not switching on when you need it, or not performing like it used to? Try these basic troubleshooting steps first:
- Check your thermostat, making sure its set to cool and switched on. You may need to replace the batteries.
- Check your circuit breaker and reset if necessary.
- Clear any debris from the sides or top of your outdoor unit and check for ice buildup on the copper pipes.
- Check your air filter and replace it if it’s been longer than three months. A clogged filter blocks airflow and limits AC system performance.
- Check, clear, and open your registers to allow more cool air to flow into your home from the unit. Closing too many registers can bottleneck the system and cause air conditioner components to freeze over.
If you’ve done all this, restarted your unit, and you still can’t get it to work or work effectively, then by all means please call the expert AC maintenance team here at Baumann & Degroot. Our trained and certified technicians will gladly take a look at your system to identify and repair your issues.
We also sell and install modern, state-of-the-art replacement AC systems to improve your home’s cooling performance while cutting utility costs.
For all heating and cooling service in Holland, MI and the surrounding communities, please call (616) 439-9718 today!
Baumann & Degroot was founded in 1994 in West Michigan.
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