No heat can compare with a South African summer, from braaiing lekker with your friends to melting indoors whenever the temperatures go through the roof. That is the time we turn to our faithful air conditioners for relief. What do you do when you hit that “on” button and… nothing? Or worse, it starts making a noise that sounds like a taxi forcing its way through traffic?
We have all been there: aircon issues always seem to pop up at just the worst time. Fortunately, most of the usual problems can be caught early if you know what to look for. Catching it now saves you from a sweaty, uncomfortable afternoon, plus a hefty repair bill later.
The following guide looks at some of the most common aircon headaches and what you should do about them before they escalate into a full-blown crisis.
The Aircon is Blowing Hot Air (Eish!)
Of all the issues, this is the most annoying: you switch on, expecting a cool breeze; instead, it feels as though the unit is pumping in air directly from the Kalahari Desert.
There are a few reasons this would happen. First, a check of the thermostat settings would be in order. It sounds so simple, but frequently it gets bumped into “heat” mode by accident. If that is set correctly, the culprit is oftentimes a dirty air filter. If the filter is clogged up with dust and dirt, airflow is restricted. That can cause the evaporator coils to freeze up and stop the cooling process dead in its tracks.
First, if you have cleaned the filter and it is still blowing warm air, then you may be low on refrigerant. One cannot simply top this off, as one would with water in a kettle. Refrigerant leaks must be found and sealed by a professional.
Water is leaking inside the house.
Water puddles on the floor are never a welcome sight. A leaking aircon that drips water inside the house usually means the condensate drain is clogged.
As the air conditioner cools the humid air, it pulls moisture out. That moisture must go somewhere, and most of the time, which means down a drain line and outside. But over time, that pipe fills up with algae, dust, and mould, blocking the pipe. When water cannot get out anymore, it backs up into the system and begins to drip into your house.
If it’s just a minor blockage, and you happen to be handy, you can try to unclog it with a wet/dry vacuum. If the leak is still there, it would be because the drain pan is rusted or the pump has become disconnected. This kind of neglect can gradually move on to full damage on your walls or flooring; hence, it is best sorted out quickly.
If you want more tips related to general home maintenance that would help prevent this type of leak, check out this practical home maintenance guide.
Strange noises that keep you up at night:
Air conditioners are meant to be seen and felt, not heard. A low hum is normal, but clanking, banging or high-pitched squealing is not.
Rattling noises may be due either to a loose screw or to a vibrating panel. Sometimes you can tighten these yourself with a screwdriver. The cause of most squealing noises is that belts or motor bearings need lubrication.
A buzzing can be a little trickier. It indicates some sort of electrical problem, such as a failing capacitor or loose wiring. Electrical issues are hazardous and not a job for a do-it-yourselfer. If your unit sounds like it is labouring to run, turn it off and call a technician.
Bad Odours from the Unit
Does it smell of old gym socks when you turn the aircon on in your room? Not the vibe one wants.
The worst odours usually emanate from mould or mildew growth inside the unit. Since aircons are subjected to moisture, it is indeed a perfect breeding ground for bacteria if it wasn’t cleaned often. This is not just unpleasant, but it can be bad for your health. When inhaled, the mould spores can trigger allergies and respiratory problems.
This is normally remedied by cleaning the filters, but the mould itself is often well inside the coils or the ducts. The deep clean by the professionals will remove that odour and increase the quality of air in your home.
The indoor air pollution research below will give you a general overview of the impact of indoor air quality on your health.
The unit turns on and off frequently.
Exorbitant Electricity Bills
We feel the pain every time we watch the increase in electricity prices, but if it suddenly skyrockets, the aircon can be to blame.
*Pic here*
It will also be cheaper to run because it will only have to maintain a comfortable 24 degrees and not freeze out the room. Regular maintenance allows the unit to run efficiently, and it will save you money over the long term. Follow Eskom’s tips below on saving energy for some practical information on saving power.
When to DIY and When to Call a Pro.
We South Africans love a bit of DIY. It is part of our nature to try and fix things ourselves. Replacing or cleaning a filter is a quite simple task, and it is something easily managed once every month or two. Keeping the outdoor unit clear of leaves and debris is also a job you can quite comfortably undertake on a Saturday morning. Anything to do with either gas-refrigerant or electricity is best left to the professionals. You should not manage high-voltage electricity, and you will have to be specially certified before you can manage refrigerant. The moment you tamper with those components, you may be permanently damaging the unit or invalidating any warranty on it. Also, it is especially important to make use of registered professionals. The website of SARACCA has great information with regards to industry standards and why using compliant contractors matters.
Keeping Your Cool.
Besides comfort, maintenance of the air conditioner protects your investment. Well-maintained units last longer, are less expensive to operate and keep the air in your house healthy. Do not wait until the middle of a heatwave to find your system is broken. A little attention now prevents a lot of sweating later. Whether it is just the simple cleaning of filters or that strange noise you cannot quite place, prompt action is always the best strategy. Also, keep in mind that keeping cool does not have to be expensive. For more tips on efficient summer heat management, visit Eskom’s Stay Cool in Summer page.
Expert Help When You Need It.
At JJ Groups, we know that a broken aircon in the middle of summer can spell disaster. Our team at JJ Groups keeps your home or office at that perfect temperature year-round.
Be it routine maintenance or those niggling leak-and-noise repairs, our team is ready to help you beat the heat. For advice on a new installation to a smooth operation of your existing setup, give us a call today. You can get in touch with us to request a quote on our Contact Page.
Detailed here is a range of services we offer in air conditioning: Civil Air Conditioning Services.
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