Five Signs Your Window AC Unit Is Soon to Fail
It’s hard to resist the urge to turn on the air conditioning during hot weather. But if you rely on your window unit to keep you cool, you may notice that as temperatures rise, your air conditioner isn’t as efficient as usual and may even shut down altogether from time to time.
The reason may have nothing to do with your window unit – in the past you’ve probably received messages from your local electricity supplier about energy savings and possible outages during heat waves, and if your window unit suddenly isn’t keeping you cool, it may have nothing to do with it with your window unit. maybe why.
Asif Bux , service manager at Comfort Union, a full-service HVAC and plumbing company, says it’s a question he often faces: Is there an electrical problem or is my air conditioner going bad?
Common Signs That Your Window Air Conditioner Unit May Be Failure
According to Books and Brad Roberson, president of Aire Serv Heating & Air Conditioning and an expert in HVAC systems and indoor air quality, some common signs that your window AC unit may be failing include:
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Cold air stops blowing (or the air is no longer as cool as before)
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It makes loud, unusual noises (such as grinding or buzzing)
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This is a water leak
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Turns on and off frequently
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You get unusually high energy bills, even with regular AC use (a sign of decreased efficiency).
Reasons Why Your AC Unit May Be Poorly Working
Before you completely write off your current window AC unit, do some detective work to find out if it’s actually broken or if there’s something else going on.
1. It’s a power issue.
Window AC units are designed to reduce temperatures by a certain amount, and sometimes the heat becomes too much for them, Roberson said. “During extreme heat and prolonged use, the device may have difficulty achieving or maintaining the desired temperature,” he says.
Power supply problems may also be to blame, especially during peak periods when the electrical grid may experience voltage drops, Bax said. “Dim lights or other electrical anomalies can indicate network problems,” he says.
If the unit starts working properly again when the outside temperature drops, you’ll know it’s likely a problem with the heat load or the electrical network, Bax says.
2. The filter is dirty.
The first thing to check is your unit’s air filter. They get dirty faster than you think and can reduce cooling efficiency, Bax says. A dirty filter can also cause your device to turn on and off frequently.
3. Coil fins are bent and/or dirty.
Make sure the coil fins, located on the part that extends beyond the window, are not bent and/or kinked, which will restrict air flow, Roberson says. While you’re back there, clean the coils of any dirt or debris that could “impede heat transfer,” according to Bax. Frost accumulation is another sign of clogged condenser coils, he said.
4. Something is blocking the air flow.
“Make sure the outside of the window unit is not blocked by anything that could reduce airflow,” says Roberson.
5. The condensate drain is clogged.
“Check the condensate drain to make sure it is not clogged and is working properly,” Roberson adds.
6. Problem with settings and/or power.
Check your device’s thermostat settings. This sounds obvious, but perhaps you forgot you set it to “low” at night and forgot to return it to full power during the day. Books also recommends making sure the power supply is adequate by checking the breaker panel and power cord.
7. This is the wrong size.
If your AC unit turns on and off frequently, Bax says, it could be a sign that the unit isn’t powerful enough to cool the room or space it’s in. One way to find out if this is the case is to check the BTU rating and make sure it is high enough for the area of the room.
8. It’s really broken
If you have checked all the places mentioned above and you are not experiencing any heat, your AC window unit may actually be broken. “The unit may have a bad compressor, or low refrigerant levels, or a refrigerant leak,” says Roberson. A water leak could be due to a faulty gasket, and unusual noises such as whirring or grinding noises could be the result of loose components, a faulty motor or electrical problems, Bax says.
Is it worth repairing or replacing a broken window air conditioner unit?
In short, it all comes down to the age of the AC unit. If it’s more than eight to 10 years old, it’s usually cheaper to replace the unit because parts to repair it may be harder to find and it may use older, less energy-efficient technology, Roberson says.
For new window AC units, if repair costs exceed 50% of the price of a new unit, you’re better off replacing it, especially considering the likelihood of future repairs, Bax says. Plus, since newer appliances are more energy efficient, you’ll likely save on your energy bills.