You've waited all year for the warm weather to arrive again. Now that it has, you want to be ready with your air conditioner. You don't want to get stuck living in a sweltering home because your air conditioner wasn't up to the task. To avoid the disastrous effects of a broken air conditioner, you need to stay on top of the maintenance and repairs. The most important thing you can do is have your air conditioner serviced at the start of each summer. Next, it's important that you learn to interpret the messages that your air conditioner is trying to send you. Your air conditioner will communicate with you through sight, sound, and odor.
The Sights
When it comes to understanding the needs of your air conditioner, you need to familiarize yourself with the sights. First, look at the coils. If the coils are dirty, bent, or rusty, your air conditioner won't function properly. Second, look at the condensation tube. It the tube is filled with green algae or mold, those spores are going to come through to your home. Third, look at the blades inside the housing. If the blades are dirty, your engine is going to need to work too hard to cool your home down. Finally, look at the wiring. If the wiring is damaged, you're at risk for electrical fires.
The Odors
After the sights, it's important for you to familiarize yourself with the odors that your air conditioner might emit. The first odor that you need to worry about is the odor of burning electrical wires; this is a sign that there's an electrical issue with your air conditioner. The next odor you need to worry about is the smell of dirty smoke; this is a sign that your air conditioner is dirty and will need to be serviced soon. The last odor you need to worry about is mold; this is a sign that you have mold growing in either the condensation tube, coils, or ducts within your home.
The Sounds
The final way your air conditioner will try to communicate with you will be through sounds. Under normal circumstances, your air conditioner should never be louder than a hum. If your air conditioner goes beyond the usual hum, you need to take notice. Start listening for rattling, knocking, or loud vibrations. These are all sounds that your air conditioner will make when there is a problem with the motor, the blower, or the fan blades.
Don't get left to fend for yourself this summer. Pay attention to the sights, sounds, and odors that are coming from your air conditioner. If you experience any of the sights, sounds and odors described here, be sure to contact your residential cooling services specialist immediately.
