We highly recommend that any AC problem you have gets fixed immediately. We can list every reason from that it’ll cost you more money, to reducing the lifespan of your system, to the simple fact it won’t be able to cool your home anymore! At the same time, we understand you might find it hard to believe that every problem is an AC emergency.
For that reason, we’re compiling a list of a few problems that really, truly should be absolutely looked at (immediately!).
Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant is the chemical that is pressurized through your system, and it’s responsible for the heat transfer that brings you cool air. If this system is compromised, it’s bad news for your air conditioner. The refrigerant cycles through a closed system and is maintained at a certain pressure, so a leak in the refrigerant tubing will offset this balance and cause some serious issues. Unfortunately, your AC is not equipped to sense leaks, so the unit will continue to work its hardest despite the danger.
Prolonged refrigerant leaks can lead to frozen evaporator coils, broken compressors, and more. If you hear hissing, it’s a good indication of a leak, and a sign to call for AC repair in Elk Grove, CA.
Odd Noises
The list of strange noises you may hear from your air conditioner includes grinding, clanking, banging, buzzing, hissing, and other mechanical or animalistic noises. Each of these has the potential to be their own emergency, because the fact is, we don’t know what the exact problem is until we’ve had a look.
Above all though, shrieking is one of the worst noises your air conditioner can make. This signifies that the compressor is having problems with pressure in the system. Problems with high pressure in any machine is a disastrous situation, so the best course of action is to turn the AC off immediately and to call for repairs.
Strange Smells
There are two occasions where your AC might make a terrible smell, and both we would consider emergencies.
First, there’s dirty sock syndrome. That’s not a joke. This is a serious problem where the air coming out of your AC literally smells like a dirty sock. If mold and bacteria have managed to grow on your evaporator coil—the coil that’s located in the indoor AC unit—it will start to manifest as a foul, moldy odor. If not taken care of, it can spread through the HVAC system and become a health concern. Those without compromised immune systems might not notice, but for people with allergies or asthma, it can be a problem.
Second, the other kind of smell would be that of burning electrical components. There are a number of AC issues that can force the system to work harder than usual, thus putting extra stress on some of the parts. Sensors in the air conditioner do exist to shut the unit off in cases like these, but not every problem is going to trigger the sensor. Trust your sense of smell before trusting the machine and call an AC repairman!