Signs of Wear and Tear on your Pittsburgh Air Conditioning System

As we slowly make our way towards the heat and humidity of another cooling season, homeowners in the Pittsburgh area are starting up their air conditioners to make sure that they are ready when those hot days hit. When you take a look at your own AC this spring, keep an eye and an ear out for signs of wear and tear. If your system is over 10 years old, or seems to require frequent repairs, then it may be a sign your air conditioning system is in need of professional maintenance or repair. Call Boehmer Heating & Cooling for details.

• AC short-cycles:  If your AC turns on and off frequently, then it is not completing entire cycles of circulating refrigerant through the coils and the compressor. This may lead to inadequate cooling, or it may lead to uneven cooling.  It’s a highly inefficient way for your AC to operate, and tends only to increase the general wear and tear on your system.
• Inadequate cooling: If your AC no longer cools as it did last year, or if the air emerging from the ducts does not seem to match your desired temperature, there could be a range of problems. First, make sure your thermostat is properly calling for cooling, and also check the air filter in the air handler to make sure it’s not clogged or excessively dirty. If neither of those aspects are the problem, then it may be a result of a low level of refrigerant in your AC or an airflow problem. 
• Strange or unusual noise: Listen to your AC. If you hear a hissing, banging, buzzing, grinding, or any sound that seems unusual, then take heed. For instance, buzzing can often indicate a serious electrical problem, while grinding can indicate dry bearings in your blower motor.

These are just a few of the signs of wear and tear on your air conditioning system. Call Boehmer Heating & Cooling for exceptional AC repair and maintenance in the Pittsburgh area.