Your central air units are like any complex mechanical system. If you have the basic knowledge of how to see their symptoms, you can save yourself big dollars on major repairs by proactively maintaining your system. Monitor the performance of your system and you will know when it is time to call a specialist such as the professionals at Facemyer Air Conditioning and Heating.

Cycles

Air conditioning systems work to remove humidity from the air and thereby bringing the temperature down. When you set the thermostat to a particular temperature setting, it will set a cyclic rate for your system to cycle on and off for a specific duration of time. The longer the cycle, the more humidity is being removed from the air. In converse, the shorter the cycle, the less humidity removed from the air and the higher the temperature remains. Remember, temperature is a measure of how rapidly particles move about in the air. By removing particles, i.e. water, from the air, the air feels cooler. A tell-tale symptom that there is something wrong within the ac unit is a noticeably short or long cycle. If the AC system has to work too hard to remove humidity, there is a reason for it. The first step for you as a homeowner is to check your air filter and make sure it is not in need of replacement. If the filter is fine and there doesn’t appear to be excess water laying in the filter area of the central air unit, it is time to call your AC specialist. If there does appear to be water laying in the filter area, you will need to check the drain and make sure it is not clogged, which may also require a repair specialist if you are not comfortable with that level of maintenance.

If your unit cycles for extended periods of time and struggles to get the temperature down, which is one of the most common problems, it is vital to get your technician on site. Aside from filter or drain problems, longer cycle rates can be an indicator of a more severe problem. If your unit is getting low on refrigerant, but is not low enough to kick on the failsafe sensors, it will cause your system to cycle longer. Think of it like your car. If your car is low on oil it will still run, but if it loses too much oil it can cause the motor to blow. On newer cars, there are sensors that will shut your car down in the event of a major loss of oil pressure. On older cars, you hear a loud noise and the motor has just experienced major failure. Your ac systems work in the exact same way. If your unit is older or has a pressure sensor that is malfunctioning in the worst way possible, you can cause severe damage that will multiply the costs of repairs. Not only will you have to purchase more parts, but you are more than likely going to have to wait days for them to come in and pay much more in labor costs. Being proactive isn’t easy, but it is certainly cost effective. When the ac coolant (Freon) gets low from a hole in the suction side of the system, it will pull in outside air or dirt and contaminate the entire system. Replacing a compressor, the condenser, and vacuuming the lines are worst case scenario in terms of cost of repair for the outside unit.

Noise

Sometimes the need to call a technician to your home is obvious. There is nothing like a loud shrieking noise to say, “hey, I need some attention over here!” Fortunately, noises in ac units are not typically expensive noises if you address them quickly. To begin your assessment of the situation, follow your ears! If the noise is outside of your home, there are two likely culprits. Best case scenario, it is the fan on top of the unit with some sort of debris that is rattling. If you hear a steady hum and the fan is not moving, call your ac technician. There are several electrical issues that can cause engagement failure of the fan. On the other hand, if you hear a noise in the outside unit and the noise is not coming from the fan, the only other moving part is the compressor. Hopefully, you have a clutch assembly that can be replaced without replacing the compressor. There is a possibility that they must be replaced as a unit and it is also possible there is a problem with the compressor itself. In either case, if you hear a noise in the outside unit and it is not the fan, call your tech immediately.

If you hear a noise in your central air unit, most often located in the garage or a closet, there is a fan assembly that pushes the air through the duct system in the house. This noise may travel through the house and be audible in the vent system in every room. Do not be fooled into buying a completely new central air system over a noisy fan. Deal with a reputable air conditioning repair company that will not try to take your money at every turn. The fan assemblies can be replaced in most cases without replacing the entire unit, especially on newer units. Mobile homes and specialty systems normally make up the exceptions to this rule. Noise problems are typically one of the best problems to have to deal with. They are easy to troubleshoot and can normally be repaired quickly.

Miscellaneous

There are a number of indicators showing you that it is time to call your ac specialist. If your thermostat has lost power or does not reflect the actual temperature of the room, it needs attention. If you smell electricity or other odd smells in the ventilation systems it may be a good clue, a precursor to a larger problem to come. It is a good idea to inspect your home annually. Make a checklist of items that you can personally inspect and make sure they are in good working order. For a system like central air cooling and heating, doing a general walk through every quarter is not a bad idea or doing a spot check when you change the filters monthly. You can visually inspect for any type of damage that may result from animals, kids, weather, or general wear and tear. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything that looks like it is in need of further inspection.

As the ancient proverb goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In trying economic times, it is even more critical to squash little problems before they become larger ones. The AC system in your home is not like a broken window or garage door. It is going to effect the immediate needs and attitudes of the people you live with and life can get very miserable. While it is not always feasible to fix and know everything yourself, it is always prudent to plan for problems. Give yourself the opportunity to get ahead of the game by being proactively engaged in the maintenance of your home and especially your ac system. Establish a relationship with a local ac repair company that you can trust. The smallest amount of effort will result in the largest payoff. When you can trust your repair technician and learn how to listen to your system when it signals problems to you, the whole experience will be less traumatic for your wallet and your standard of living.

Ray Donato, the author, does everything he can to keep his home safe and comfortable, but understands there are things he can't always do himself, and so tries to remember when he needs to call in an expert. If you wish to learn more about Ray you can visit Google+.