5 Signs Your AC Is Overworking to Keep Your Home Cool
November 9th, 2021When you live on a tropical island, you need an air conditioner that functions properly. However, as Hawaii’s climate remains at a constantly warm temperature for the majority of the year, the possibility of your AC overworking itself increases significantly.
Whenever you find yourself asking, “Why is my air conditioner not cooling the house?” there is most likely a common cause that your AC technician can quickly repair.
To help identify potential signs that your HVAC system is overworking itself, we have devised a list of the five most common signs to keep in mind the next time your AC isn’t working as usual.
High Utility Bills
Typically, the first and most obvious sign that your air conditioner is overworking itself is a high monthly electricity bill. An overworking AC usually results in a high electricity bill, especially when you don’t use the system any more than usual. Therefore, if your bills are higher than average and you are not consuming more energy, an overworking AC is most likely the culprit. We recommend contacting your maintenance team.
Increased Humidity
More often than not, if your home has been muggy lately, the reason is that your HVAC system is too large for your home. Therefore, its powerful compressor turns off before adequately humidifying the air. Over time, your air conditioner can become damaged due to overworking by frequently turning on and off before an entire cycle is complete. In this instance, you may have to consider replacing it with a smaller unit to achieve your desired results.
Strange Sounds Coming from the AC
Of course, all air conditioners produce sounds, with larger and more powerful units louder than others. However, loud, mechanical noises emitting from your AC usually warrant further investigation, as this could be a sign that your HVAC system is overworking itself.
When your AC has been in use for years, its internal components have been subjected to wear and tear. Such wear and tear can lead your AC to malfunction. As a result, your AC overworks itself while continuing to operate in this state. In this instance, contact your servicing company immediately, as prolonged use can lead to significant damages and costly repairs.
AC Fails to Cool Home
Another noticeable sign of an overworking air conditioner is when you notice that it is not cooling your home as it shoulds. Even on the hottest days, your AC should still be able to achieve a comfortable temperature in your home. However, if you turn down the thermostat and make sure your unit is running and it is still hot, then the internal components of your AC have likely been damaged due to being overworked. Therefore, you need an appointment with a technician.
Hot and Cold Spots
When your air conditioner is running, and you have checked that all of your vents are open, yet only a few rooms in your home are cool, then your HVAC system is probably overworking itself. This issue generally results from a burned-out compressor, which is a severe issue that requires immediate attention from a professional.
Island Comfort Air Conditioning
If your AC is not cooling your home correctly, it could be experiencing complications from being overworked. Luckily, at Island Comfort, air conditioner repairs are our specialty.
We are proud to provide HVAC installation and maintenance services to the residents of Hawaii. No matter what issue you’re experiencing, we are the company for all of your HVAC-related needs.
For additional information in regards to our products and services, contact us today!
High Electricity Bills And Other Signs Of AC Refrigerant Leaks
September 21st, 2021AC refrigerant leaks pose many problems for homeowners. One of the most inconvenient problems is an increase in costs associated with electricity bills. But there are also health risks, potential air conditioner malfunctions, and other harmful implications associated with coolant leaks.
An AC refrigerant leak often warrants immediate repairs from a qualified technician. But before scheduling for repairs, it’s important to recognize the signs of a refrigerant leak. These leaks can be hard to identify, which is why we have composed a series of indications that your system is leaking coolant.
Join us as we provide insight regarding signs of refrigerant leaks and help you to understand how these symptoms impact you, your loved ones, and the functionality of your AC.
High Electricity Bills
When the cooling component of your AC isn’t operating as it should, it can cause your air conditioner to work overtime. This increases kilowatt usage and ultimately causes an increase in costs associated with your electric bill. Take some time to compare your previous electric bills with your current ones to determine the difference in costs. Have your most recent bills skyrocketed and you have noticed any of the following signs of a refrigerant leak? Then it may be time for AC repairs.
1) Long Cooling Cycles
The duty of refrigerant in the cooling process is to absorb the heat from inside your home and expel it outside. When a leak is present, coolant levels deplete. When a system’s refrigerant levels get too low, it takes longer for your AC to cool your home. This will cause your system to work harder and longer than usual to reach the desired temperature. You may also find yourself constantly lowering the thermostat simply for your home to reach the previously desired temperature.
2) Hissing Noises
Hissing noises are typically a result of cracks or holes in the coils that circulate refrigerant. If the coolant in your unit is leaking through a relatively large hole, these hissing sounds could develop into a larger more prominent gurgling sound. Any noises emitting from your air conditioner should be taken seriously and checked out by a qualified AC technician.
3) Frozen Evaporator Coils
The most common sign of a coolant leak in your system is the formation of ice on your evaporator coils. When inadequate refrigerant levels circulate through your evaporator coils, the coils will not sufficiently absorb heat. This will cause the condensation on the coils to freeze and could result in a complete breakdown of your AC system, causing expensive repairs. It is highly recommended to monitor your evaporator coils regularly. If ice is forming, you may have a refrigerant leak.
4) AC Failing to Distribute Cold Air
This is undoubtedly the most apparent sign that your AC is leaking refrigerant. When your unit is failing to distribute cold air, check all vents to determine if the issue is constant and present among all vents. If the air emitting from all vents is not cold, you may have a coolant leak.
Do You Have A Refrigerant Leak And Require Repairs?
Don’t worry! If you live on Oahu or Kauai, you’re in luck! Island Comfort has been providing the members of our Hawaiian communities with the AC services required to repair refrigerant leaks for many years. If you have questions, comments, concerns, or require the service of one of our qualified technicians, contact us today! One of our specialists would be happy to assist you and provide you with some tips and tricks to avoid refrigerant leaks in the future.
Loud AC: Why Is It Happening and Should You Be Worried?
August 18th, 2021AC units have improved by leaps and bounds in the last few decades. Air conditioners are now quieter than ever. If your system is making louder noises than usual, take note. These mysterious noises can be indications that your system has encountered a problem.
5 Noises Your AC System Shouldn’t Be Making
Air conditioners now incorporate sound-dampening technology that minimizes the sounds of your AC system’s many functions. Whereas some noises are natural, many noises could be signs of potential AC malfunctions resulting in the dysfunctionality of your unit.
Take a minute to read up on these various AC sounds. If you’re currently experiencing any of the following strange noises emitting from your AC unit, don’t hesitate to contact an expert technician.
1) Buzzing
Your outdoor AC unit should never emit a buzzing noise, which could be an indication of loose parts. Due to improper installation or normal wear and tear, components of your unit could become detached.
The key culprit of this noise is typically an outdoor fan motor that’s loose or about to fail. When experiencing buzzing, it’s imperative to contact a technician immediately for air conditioner repairs. The outdoor fan motor is an integral part of the functionality of your AC unit, and a malfunctioning one could be the cause of your AC making noise.
2) Clicking
The clicking sounds that an AC unit emits when starting up and shutting down are typical for its function. However, consistent and constant clicking isn’t a normal part of the operation of a unit. Clicking can be an indicator of a failing thermostat, which monitors and regulates your home’s indoor temperature and communicates with your AC unit.
3) Clanging
Clanging is another sign of loose parts, most likely indicating a problem with your AC unit’s compressor. Clanging can also suggest that the indoor blower or outdoor fan is out of balance and hitting other parts. Issues such as these could pose a more significant threat to your AC system’s overall efficiency and health if a technician isn’t contacted to repair AC clanging.
4) Squealing
A malfunction regarding the indoor blower or outdoor fan could potentially create a squealing sound. These noises can often be heard throughout the ducts of your AC system and indicate a blower or fan that’s going bad. The indoor blower wheel will squeal if it’s malfunctioning. These sounds can be typical during AC start-up, but if they’re just beginning to occur, it could mean that it’s time for air conditioner repairs.
5) Rattling
If your air conditioner rattles, it could be a clue that components of the unit are beginning to deteriorate. This can be a sign of normal wear and tear, corrosion, or a refrigerant leak. Another cause of rattling could be that debris such as twigs or leaves has gotten caught in your system.
In addition, rattling could signify loose parts in your unit, most likely the compressor. Rattling noises are the most notorious of AC systems as they can indicate many internal malfunctions. It’s best to contact a technician if your AC is making a rattling noise.
How Do I Stop Loud AC Noises?
An AC making noise nowadays should be considered a rarity. Getting the noises to stop is about more than minimizing the sound; it’s about fixing the cause of the noises in the first place. Noises emitted from your AC unit could signify many problems with your air conditioner. Therefore it’s in your best interest to contact a professional.
Island Comfort has been providing Hawaii residents with peace of mind regarding their air conditioners for years. If you’re experiencing noises coming from your AC, give us a call today!
Aren’t Hawaiian “winters” the best? We can save money on our electric bills by just popping open the windows to let those cool island trade winds blow through the house.
Hawaii is known for its ideal weather. Cool nights and sunny days.
In Hawaii, most of us are lucky enough to enjoy cool breezy nights–even in the summer.