As we venture deeper into the summer months, you might start to have some questions about your air conditioner’s performance. So to help put your mind at ease, the cooling experts at Action Furnace have put together some of our most frequently asked questions about air conditioner noises, maintenance tips and common issues.
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As we venture deeper into the summer months, you might start to have some questions about your air conditioner’s performance. So to help put your mind at ease, the cooling experts at Action Furnace have put together some of the most common AC questions our team gets asked. From noises, maintenance tips and common issues, we've got you covered.
Question #1 - Is my AC making too much noise?
Your AC is a machine, which means it will be making some noises, that’s how you know it’s working! But what’s considered normal vs. abnormal? Let’s find out!
Normal Sounds During Operation
When your AC is running, you should only be hearing the gentle hum of the compressor and the sound of the air as it blows through the vents. You might also hear a click or light bang, when it starts and stops.
Sounds You Shouldn’t Ignore
Loud banging noises could mean loose or malfunctioning components, while hissing and buzzing sounds can indicate issues with your refrigerant or electrical connections. Sounds like this should never be confused as normal. Each of these issues, when left unaddressed can wreak havoc on your system, resulting in higher repair costs and even full system replacements.
So if you’re noticing any of these, shut down your AC right away and call us in!
Question #2 - My AC is blowing warm air. What should I do?
Obviously if your air conditioner is delivering anything but cooling comfort, it’s cause for concern, but if the air coming from your vents feels more like your furnace, call us in right away.
The distribution of warm air could be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Thermostat issues
- Dirty air filters restricting airflow and resulting in overheating components
- A refrigerant leak - yikes!
- Compressor or other critical component malfunctions
Always check your thermostat and filters first, as these are often a quick fix that you can easily handle on your own. If the warm air continues, call our experts right away.
Our technicians are continually trained on common cooling issues, and will quickly identify and address the culprit and get your AC fixed fast!
Question #3 - Why does my AC keep turning on and off?
This is possibly one of the most common AC questions we get asked. When your AC turns off and on before completing a full cooling cycle, this is known as short cycling. And is usually a pretty good indicator of issues within your system.
Improperly Sized AC
An air conditioner that is too big for your home will cool certain areas of your home too quickly and shut down the system before your whole home has reached the desired temperature. And on the flip side, if your AC is too small it will struggle to reach your desired temperature which could result in longer run times, and extra wear and tear on the system, causing it to shut down when you least expect it.
Dirty Filters
Those pesky air filters again. Actually, they’re anything but pesky, they’re actually an integral part of your AC system. And when they’re clogged with debris air flow to and from your AC’s internal components is compromised, causing it to shut off prematurely.
Refrigerant Issues
Low refrigerant levels or leaks can disrupt the cooling cycle, and cause serious damage to your AC.
Question #4 - How often should I replace my air filter?
Taking care of your central AC means taking care of your filters! Most filters last about 3 months, but more regular replacement might be needed if your home has high levels of dust, or if you have pets and hair and dander is at an all time high!
Question #5 - Do I really need annual maintenance?
We get this question a lot! There’s often a reluctance to schedule a tune-up if nothing is actually amiss with your equipment. Which we understand, but if you want to keep your AC running as efficiently as possible, for the duration of its usable life, tune-ups are the end all be all.
What’s Included In The Action Furnace Tune-Up?
Our tune-up techs are highly experienced and qualified to ensure you get the best performance out of your cooling system. Our $199 tune-up always goes through the following steps:
- Complete, multi-point inspection
- Refrigerant level check
- Compressor fan check and calibration
- Part lubrication
Plus we’ll make note of the current performance, post tune-up, so we have a record to compare it with next time we’re there!
Being a Member Pays Off!
You can even join our Premium Comfort Cooling Club membership for front of the line service, prescheduled maintenance, an annual supply of filters, and ZERO dispatch fees! How cool is that?
Question #6 - Can I improve my AC's efficiency?
Another common AC question or questions? Anything efficiency related!
Over and above regular maintenance, there a couple easy tips and tricks you can do to ensure season-long efficiency including:
- Seal any leaks in your duct work
- Seal drafts around windows and doors
- Double check insulation
- Regularly clean the outdoor AC unit and make sure there is no debris caught inside
All of these things will help your AC run more efficiently in between service calls.
Question #7 - Do I need to replace my AC?
Sometimes, AC replacement is the best and most economical option. If your AC is over 15 years old, if you’re constantly calling us in for repairs, or if the refrigerant and components your current equipment uses have been discontinued, it’s time to bite the bullet and invest in a new unit.
Luckily, Action Furnace also has the most well-trained installation technicians in Alberta, and we offer flexible financing options to help make a new AC more accessible.
Contact us today to learn about our high-efficiency AC options.
We hope you bookmark this blog and refer to it anytime you have a question about your AC. And if you ever need more assistance, Action Furnace has built the only dedicated customer experience team in Alberta, and we’re standing by ready to assist in any way we can. Our commitment to you doesn’t end at the end of your service.
Why Choose Action Furnace
Action Furnace is your local air conditioner repair expert! We require hours of ongoing, mandatory training for each of our repair technicians. So keep asking those common AC questions, or even a not so common one!
We also stand behind our work with the best guarantees in the business. Including our exclusive Fixed Right or its Free Guarantee!
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