A proper air conditioning system is necessary in places like Dubai, where summer temperatures soar above 40°C.
Research shows that about 60% of the total electricity consumption in the UAE during the summer months is due to air conditioning. Despite this heavy reliance on ACs, many households overlook the common signs that show up when their ACs need maintenance.
Ignoring these signs compromises your comfort, increases energy consumption and may lead to a complete breakdown of your ACs. This blog will help you find the top 8 warning signs that indicate your AC needs attention from AC maintenance services in Dubai.
1. Insufficient Cooling
The most apparent sign that your AC needs maintenance is when it fails to cool your room like it used to. If you notice that you’ve turned on your AC for quite some time and even after 20 minutes the amount of cooling is not sufficient, it’s a clear indicator of a problem.
Causes:
- Refrigerant Leaks: When refrigerant levels get low, the cooling efficiency also decreases, making your AC take longer and more energy to cool to a certain temperature.
- Dirty Coils: Dust and debris can eventually accumulate on the evaporator and condenser coils. This obstructs proper heat exchange and reduces the cooling capacity.
- Blocked Airflow: Clogged air filters, vents or closed registers reduce the amount of air flowing into the system.
- Faulty Compressor: As the compressor is responsible for circulating the refrigerant, damage to it reduces cooling capacity.
- Thermostat Issues: A malfunctioning temperature sensor in the AC can result in incorrect readings making the AC underperform.
2. Unusual Noises
Most modern ACs run quietly and produce just a whisper when running at full capacity. So if you hear grinding, squealing, or banging sounds, it’s time to contact an AC repair service in Dubai.
Causes:
- Loose components: Over time, the belt, screws and other components inside the AC can become loose, causing rattling or clanking noises.
- Motor problems: The bearings in the fan motor may wear out, which causes a grinding noise as the motor spins.
- Debris in the unit: Foreign objects like sticks or leaves can get into the outdoor unit, causing unusual noises.
3. Strange Odors
A musty smell from the AC indicates mould growth inside it, and a burning smell means that there might be some electrical issues.
Causes:
- Mould growth: High humidity and condensation can cause mould to grow in the ductwork or evaporator coils.
- Electrical problems: When components overheat, or if there are any electrical shorts, it may be a fire hazard.
4. Frequent Cycling
AC cycling is the process of the refrigerant circulating through the condenser and other parts of the system. It involves the system turning on and off to maintain the desired temperature; but if your unit turns on and off frequently (short cycling), it’s not running efficiently and there may be an underlying issue.
Causes:
- Thermostat Placement: If your thermostat is at a spot that gets frequent temperature changes, such as near a window or air vent, it can cause short cycling.
- Low Refrigerant Levels: Insufficient refrigerant causes the AC to short cycle as it struggles to maintain the set temperature.
5. High Humidity Levels
Apart from cooling your home, AC units also remove excess humidity, so if your home feels unusually humid, it’s a sign that your AC is not working properly.
Causes:
- Refrigerant leaks: Low refrigerant levels reduce the AC’s capacity to dehumidify the air, leaving your home humid.
- Improper installation: Poor installation by unskilled technicians can cause many issues after a few months and increased humidity is one of them.
- Dirty coils: Dirt accumulated on the evaporator coils reduces its ability to remove moisture from the air.
6. Water Leaks
Water pooling around AC units is very common and can damage not just your AC but your walls too.
Causes:
- Blocked drainage tubes: Dirt can clog the condensate drain line, causing water to back up and leak around the unit.
- Low refrigerant levels: When refrigerant levels are low, it can cause the evaporator coil to freeze and then melt, causing water leaks.
- Damaged drain pan: A broken, or rusted drain pan causes water to leak from the unit.
7. High Energy Bills
It is normal to see a higher power usage during summer as the AC is used more often, however, if you see a sudden spike in electricity bills, your AC might be the culprit.
Causes:
- Dirty Filters: Dust-filled air filters can restrict airflow, forcing the AC to work harder and use more energy.
- Failing Components: Wearing in parts like the compressor or fan motor can reduce efficiency and increase energy consumption.
- Leaky Ductwork: Even small leaks in the ductwork can cause cooled air to escape, making the AC work harder to maintain the set temperature.
- Low Refrigerant Levels: Insufficient refrigerant can reduce the system’s efficiency, leading to higher energy usage.
8. Age of Your AC Unit
All machines with moving parts have a period after which their efficiency drops drastically and ACs are no exception. If your AC is over 10 years old, it either needs full maintenance or replacement of parts.
You can either exchange your old AC units for newer ones, which costs a lot or hire AC maintenance services like FizFix to make your AC work like new, at a meager cost.
Professional AC Maintenance in Dubai by FizFix
These early warning signs might help you avoid costly repairs if you keep your AC well maintained during the summers. If it is out of your control, then it is better to hire AC cleaning services in Dubai.
But for year-long maintenance for your entire home, then you can choose FizFix Annual Maintenance Packages. We provide you with the best home maintenance services in Dubai, so contact us today.
