When your air conditioner, which has been through the coldest of nights and hottest of days with you, starts to fail you – it’s a sad state of affairs. Coming home from work, switching on your unit and relaxing on the couch just isn’t the same if your unit is struggling to keep you comfortable and with temperatures becoming more extreme it’s more important than ever that your system is running smoothly.
Having a unit that isn’t running smoothly can lead to inefficiencies, poor performance and higher running costs and has the potential to cause you massive headaches if the unit happens to fail during a heatwave so it’s important to recognise when your system might be struggling and sort it out quickly.
As they always say “prevention is better than a cure” so we’ve listed some tell tale signs that your air conditioner might need replacing.
1.) Cooling or Heating Just Isn’t the Same
If you’re noticing a difference in consistency, specifically around the temperature of the air the unit is producing it’s time to investigate further.
If you’re unit is producing warm air when in cooling more or cold air when in heating mode, yet the unit isn’t providing any indication there is a fault (via flashing lights on the indoor unit) – there could be a more serious issue. It could be due to low refrigerant or worse, a damaged compressor. In either case, if your unit is on the older side and outside of warranty, it’s best to replace rather than fix.
2.) Irregular air flow
If your air conditioner has diminished airflow or has varying intensities, it could be one of many things; a faulty compressor or fan, dirty filters, blocked air-ducts or worse. However, if you’ve cleaned the filters and had the air-ducts checked yet the issue remains, it’s highly possible that your unit is on the way out and the best course of action is to have someone assess and replace it if required.
3.) Excessive moisture of leaks
Whether you have a split system or a ducted system, a small amount of condensation dripping from the outdoor unit is completely normal however if you notice that the leak
Is there moisture around your current? Is there a visible leak? The de-humidification process in running air conditioning systems will naturally create condensation, however, if it is excessive or the leak is occurring when the unit is off then something could be wrong. A leaking outdoor unit can be a serious issue if the refrigerant is seeping out or if there is a blocked drainage tube. Electrical components and water are not a good combination, so be mindful of children and pets and ensure that the unit is turned off until you get a technician to look at it.
4.) Strange noises and smells
An efficient, modern system is designed operate as silently as possible. If you begin to hear odd, abrupt noises that may have not been present before – this could indicate something more serious and it’s time to get a professional to have a look to determine if it needs to be replaced.
Another sign of a faulty air conditioner is odour. If the air coming from your unit smells musty or burnt, this could suggest an internal malfunction. It could be a burned wire, dusty air filters or potentially mould growth within the unit or the ducts. You can find our helpful guide on how to clean your filters here but if you’ve done this and issue remains, we’d strongly suggest getting it checked out by a professional who can determine if it’s repairable or if you’re up for a replacement.
5.) Drastically increased running costs
When fully functional, air conditioners, specifically split systems, offer an energy-efficient solution to heating and cooling your home and can greatly reduce your energy bills in the long run. If you’ve noticed an increase in your electricity bills but don’t believe you’ve increased usage, it could be a sign that your air conditioner is running with reduced efficiency and we’d suggest getting a professional to come and assess the unit.
Recognise any of these signs? It’s time to act.
If you notice any of the above issues with your current air conditioner, we highly suggest acting now. No-one wants to deal with their air conditioner failing in the middle of a 400C day so it’s always it’s best to get a professional come and assess and, if required, replace it prior to summer.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at 0459 298 331 or fill out our online contact form. Our friendly team is ready to assist you with all your ducted air conditioning needs.
Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air conditioning
https://mhiaa.com.au/five-signs-that-its-time-to-replace-your-air-conditioner/
