It’s a sad but simple truth that air conditioning units generally fail when they are needed the most. Of course, getting in touch with a reputable commercial air conditioning supplier and having your unit serviced regularly will help to ensure it doesn’t fail when you need it the most.
It can also help to be aware of the most common signs that your air conditioner is dying.
Regular Power Failures
Many things can cause the breaker for the air conditioner to trip. It shouldn’t be regarded as an issue unless it
Is happening regularly. If this is the case it could be an issue with the wiring or even the breaker. However, it could also be a sign that the electrics inside your unit are suffering from corrosion. If this is the case the power outages will slowly get worse and the unit will ultimately die.
Age
In modern society, it’s important not to be ageist. However, this is acceptable when it comes to machines such as your air conditioner. They are designed to last for anywhere between 15-20 years. That means, if your unit is older than 15 years it’s only a matter of time before it dies.
Of course, if it hasn’t been serviced regularly it can die after just 10 years.
Strange Noises
Air conditioners make a gentle humming noise and very little else. It means they are working properly. However, it’s worth listening to your unit regularly. If it is making unusual sounds you’ll want to have them investigated. It can be issues with relays or simply tell you that interior components are starting to fail.
The unfortunate thing is that, in most cases, these sounds are likely to be fatal.
Intermittent Cooling
A sure sign that there is something wrong with your unit is when it blows out warm air instead of cold. If this happens often it is likely that you have a coolant leak. Your engineer will advise whether the leak can be fixed and the coolant refilled or if it is too far gone. Again, the age of your unit will play a part in this decision.
It’s a particular issue if your unit is old as it may use a coolant that is no longer legally allowed.
Ongoing Repairs
Air conditioners usually work well for a long period and only need an annual service. However, if you are having to call the engineer out every week, or even every other week, there is likely to be a more serious issue with your air conditioner. The engineer will reinforce this idea and the fact that you are spending more on repairs than the cost of a new unit tells you it’s time to replace it.
Energy Bills Are Getting Higher
This is particularly topical as everyone’s energy bills are increasing. But, if you know what your energy bill is and it seems to be creeping up there is a good chance that your air conditioner is at fault. In short, it is using more power to cool the house because it is dying and becoming less efficient.
The good thing about knowing the warning signs is that you can plan to replace your air conditioning rather than being caught out when it packs up on you.
