So many people are throwing around the popular catchphrase, “Winter is Coming.” However, for us here in Jersey, winter’s not coming, it’s going. Summer is coming—and you’re probably going to want air conditioning. The very elderly and very young alike are extremely sensitive to uncomfortable levels of heat, and it’s important to keep homes properly cooled in New Jersey, especially around the sunnier shore areas.
Every year, we receive calls for common issues that people run into with their central air conditioning units, and every year we come out and either fix them or let our client know that the problem is avoidable or an easy fix. This could be you, if you’re experiencing certain problems with your central air conditioning systems, so we’re taking common air conditioning issues we see at the beginning of seasons and answering them for you now.
Why is my air conditioner dripping water? Evaporator coils are an element in every air conditioning system, where they essentially extract warmth and moisture from the air and leave behind “cooled” air. As this process goes on, these coils become increasingly cold, which will cause water to bead up on them and eventually drip off– kind of like when you have a tall, frosty glass of ice water and you notice a puddle forming under it. Typically these coils should drip outside or into a designated area—you can either create your own system or talk to a specialist and see how they can help re-direct the runoff from the coils.
Why does my air conditioner smell unpleasant? If your air conditioner is giving off a smell similar to mildew or mold, which resembles dirty socks and feet, it is indicative of mold growing either in or around your air conditioner—a professional cleaning and a new filter will fix this problem.
If you are experiencing a putrid odor like rotten eggs or spoiled food from your air conditioner, the culprit is most likely an animal in one of your vents or infrastructure. Rodents, birds and more will seek refuge in harsh weather, and sometimes it’s in air conditioning units—but every so often they can’t get out and pass away. When you experience this smell, check your ducts for animals, use some air freshener and give it some time.
Some people report smells of gas—including skunk-like or sewage-like odors—this may not be a job for your HVAC provider. If a skunk died near your system, it could cause a smell, but that’s unlikely. Typically, these smells are caused by leaks in sewage and gas lines. Sewage produces methane, which smells like eggs or trash, while natural gas usually has a chemical called “Methyl Mercaptan” put into it to make the otherwise odorless gas have a smell to raise some alarm. If you have an electrical A/C system, you may smell “car exhaust” like smells that come from leaking within the engine and other components. If you smell gas, call a professional and get to the bottom of it ASAP!
If the smell has a burning, gunpowder or smoke quality to it, this could be coming from faulty electricity or a busted circuit board. This can be from old or damaged parts, and should be addressed with an HVAC professional.
Why is my air conditioner hot or not cold? The same evaporator coils that gather condensation and can cause leaking, can also gather dust, dirt and grime over time and become obstructed. As they become obstructed their capacity to cool decreases— if this is the case, contact Care Temp immediately.
If your air conditioner is blowing hot air and you’ve recently had a cold snap where weather was unusually cold, check your thermostat and make sure it’s not still set to “heat” mode. This is a common cause of the issue and should be checked first to save time and money.
Another reason your air conditioner is not cooling, or is heating instead, is that it may be out of refrigerant. Refrigerant can be dangerous to handle and infuse into an A/C system, so consult a professional before doing anything with a refrigerant. Remember that older systems use Freon refrigerants, which damage the O-Zone later, so use caution.
Why is my air conditioner accumulating ice? Typically, water is dried from the coils and other cold elements of an air conditioner by pure air flow—the air flows through and around the system and dries any water that may have built up. If there’s ice forming, it means there’s an obstruction to air flow somewhere in your property. This obstruction can be extremely frustrating for individuals with large commercial properties—here’s some simple solutions. [AB1]
Why does my air conditioner make ridiculous noises? This will usually require the input of a professional. Check your AC units for loose screws, obstructions, cracks, warping and other damage, because this is typically the culprit. Don’t risk losing your air conditioning by ignoring a disturbing noise—call Care Temp today for a consultation.
We hope this cleared up some of the confusion surrounding the problems and pains your air conditioner is causing you. These problems can be frustrating, especially in the hotter months of summer in New Jersey. That’s why we recommend if you’re seeing any problems like these now, you should call Care Temp immediately so you can be cool all summer long. If you see any of these problems arise in the future, you may want to hire a professional from Care Temp then.
At Care Temp, we’re “The Company That Cares,” and we pledge that we’ll be there for you in your time of need—we provide emergency service all day, every day, night and day. Call us when you need us at 855.788-TEMP.
[AB1]Where are the solutions?