4 Signs of a Faulty Air Conditioner

Air conditioning systems can be quite complex and have many different diagnoses for an issue. There are some common issues that homeowners tend to have that can either be solved by simple solutions or signs that it is time to replace your air conditioning unit. Remember these 4 signs of a faulty air conditioner the next time you are having issues.

Signs of a Faulty Air Conditioner

Sign #1: Utility Bills are Sky High

One telltale sign that something isn’t working as efficiently as it should be is if your utility bills are much higher than normal. When something is wrong, the air conditioner simply stops working, making it obvious that something is wrong. Or, things just aren’t working as efficiently as they should be; making it far less easily known that something is amiss.

With these systems having many parts, your first plan of action is going to be calling a professional to come up and inspect your unit. It may just be time for a tune up or some other type of repair and doing this will get your utility bill back down to normal, saving you money in the long run.

Sign #2: Odd Noises

If you are hearing abnormal sounds coming from your air conditioner, you definitely want to get it checked out. When it is properly working, you shouldn’t hear any rattling, ticking or buzzing types of sounds. You should just be able to hear the normal sounds expressing that it is working. These noises can mean a variety of issues. It could be as simple as tightening up a bolt or lubricating some moving pieces. On the other side it could be your air conditioner telling you that it needs more extensive repairs.

Sign #3: The Water Puddle

Seeing a puddle on the floor next to your furnace is a sign that something isn’t as it should be. It is in fact normal for an air conditioner to produce condensation while it’s cooling your home. There is a pan that collects the dripping water so that is doesn’t drip on the floor. It should essentially be self-containing. When you see a puddle on your floor, this could mean that the drainage canal is blocked, forcing the water onto the floor instead of in the drip pan where it belongs. The blockage needs to be cleaned out and possibly may show that a tube needs to be replaced.

Sign #4: No Sign of Life

This last sign is the most depressing sign of all. It’s when your air conditioner shows zero signs of life when you go to turn it on. No matter what you do, it just won’t make an attempt to do its job. This is when you need to consider replacing your air conditioner. The cost of repair for a burnt-out compressor is more than half the cost of purchasing a new unit. So it is oftentimes worth starting fresh. Then you know you can count on it for years to come.