If you have some level of familiarity with home comfort systems, you’ll likely know that a heat pump works in a similar fashion to an air conditioner. Both use a process of heat exchange involving the circulation of refrigerant that absorbs heat in one location and releases it in another. Both have similar indoor and outdoor units and contain compressors, an exhaust fan, a blower fan, and two sets of coils. The main difference between the two is that the heat pump can work in reverse so that it can bring heat into a home as well as remove it.
ServiceMax Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Repair’
What Actually Separates a Heat Pump from an Air Conditioner?
Monday, May 4th, 2015How Strange Noises Alert You to Air Conditioning Repair Needs
Wednesday, August 27th, 2014Although today’s manufacturers make air conditioners with many advanced features, they have yet to design one with a perfect self-diagnosing computer that can immediately identify when they need repair and report it to homeowners. You still need to watch out for clues that your AC has developed a malfunction. Fortunately, many repair problems in an air conditioner will create a distinct and unusual sound, and you can use these noises to figure out that you need to call for professional HVAC technicians.
We’ve put together a list of some of the more common noises that malfunctioning air conditioners can make and what they might mean. You shouldn’t use this information to attempt the repair work on your own, however. Call Malek Heating & Cooling—any time of the day or night—when you require skilled air conditioning repair in Northbrook, IL. We will send a technician to your home to track that strange noise to its source and then handle the repair work.
Some Repair Warning Noises to Listen For
- Hissing: This sound like a high-pressure gas escaping from a nozzle probably means that there is a refrigerant leak somewhere in the AC. Loss of refrigerant charge will lead to an air conditioner that cannot maintain its proper cooling level, and it may eventually cause irreparable damage to the compressor. Repair technicians will locate and seal the leak, then recharge the refrigerant to its regular level.
- Grinding, groaning: These mechanical noises are often indicators that one or more of the motors in the system is wearing down from excess stress. This can happen because of loss of lubrication or dirt accumulating across the moving parts. Technicians can attempt to repair the motor, or in the case of a burnt-out motor, replace it.
- Clicking: If you hear a clicking sound as the AC tries to start, you may have dying capacitors. The capacitors store and send charge to the motors to start them running and keep them running. When capacitors start to fail, the air conditioner will “hard start” and drain excess power. Technicians will replace the bad capacitors or install a hard-start kit to overcome the problem.
- Clanging, striking: This often points toward a damaged fan. Bent fan blades will cause the fan to begin striking its outer casing, and this can lead to the damage spreading. For older air conditioners, this may indicate a snapped fan belt. (Newer ACs use direct motors instead of fan belts.)
Whatever the reason for the strange sounds, don’t let a noisy air conditioner continue to run: the problem will worsen and cause a chain reaction of other malfunctions, and the AC will drain money. Call for repairs right away.
Since 1998, the people at Malek Heating & Cooling have delivered air conditioning repair in Northbrook, IL and the rest of the Chicagoland area with fast and effective service for their ACs. Make us your first call when you hear those strange sounds rattling around inside your cooling system.
Why Ice on Your Air Conditioner Means It Needs Repairs
Wednesday, August 13th, 2014If you notice ice on the indoor coil of your air conditioner, it may seem like a minor problem. Of course, air conditioners cool the air, so ice is to be expected from time to time, right? Not quite! Air conditioners do not actually create cool air. Instead, they cool a home by removing heat from the air as refrigerant cycles throughout the system. Ice on the evaporator coil means that something has interfered with the evaporation process and that your air conditioner may not be able to cool your home properly. Scraping the ice off the coil can seriously damage this component, and allowing it to defrost is not enough to address the source of the problem. When you notice freezing, turn off your system immediately and call a professional for air conditioning repair in Evanston, IL. You may have any of the following problems.
Signs That You Need Air Conditioning Repair
Friday, June 13th, 2014There is no denying just how vital your air conditioning system is during the hottest days of the year. Unfortunately, you may find at some point that your air conditioning system is just not operating as effectively or efficiently as it ought to. This can be a serious issue when temperatures soar.
The best way in which to handle any problems with your air conditioning system is to do so as soon as possible. They are not going to go away on their own, and they are only going to get worse the longer you wait to schedule professional air conditioning repair in Chicago, IL. Here are a few tips from the AC repair experts at Malek Heating & Cooling to help you determine if repair service is needed.
One of the most obvious signs that your air conditioner requires professional air conditioning repair services is a decline in the performance of your system. If you notice hot spots throughout your home, for instance, you may have a problem with your air ducts servicing that area. Is the air coming from your vents lukewarm? A refrigerant leak may be to blame. Whatever the issue at hand is, a trained professional can diagnose it accurately and resolve it completely, so give us a call today.
Another sign that air conditioning repair in Skokie, IL is needed is a sudden spike in your air conditioning costs. Over the years, your AC is going to begin to slip in the efficiency department. However, any sudden, inexplicable decline in efficiency is likely indicative of an operational problem. Don’t pay more for a lesser performance from your AC. Have your repair needs handled immediately.
Even problems that you may not think are very serious, such as a noisy performance from your system, can be signs of more serious issues to come. When it comes to your comfort, we believe that it is best to take no chances. If you have any reason at all to suspect that there is a problem with your air conditioner, Malek Heating & Cooling is the company to call. We will complete your air conditioning repair in Skokie, IL promptly, protecting your comfort and the condition of your AC. Contact us today for more details.