If something is failing or going amiss with your HVAC unit, chances are, your HVAC unit is letting you know something is not quite right. However, most of the cues come in the form of sounds that many of us may overlook. If you hear your HVAC unit grinding, squealing, screeching or squeaking, it is letting you know it needs help. I was unaware of these cues and overlooked them. It ended up costing me a lot of money in repairs. I want to make sure that does not happen to other people, so I made this website. I hope you learn how to interpret the noises your HVAC unit is making so you can get it the repairs it needs before you incur a costly repair, or worse, permanently ruin your unit for good.
Is your air conditioning blowing warm air when the unit is on? This is potentially due to a refrigerant leak somewhere within the system. Here are some places where you can check for a refrigerant leak so that you can repair the unit.
Outdoor Unit Valves
It is worth inspecting all of the valves on the outdoor compressor unit because these are places where connections are made and could be leaking refrigerant. It could be a problem as simple as a leaking valve core. Put some soapy water over these valves to see if it forms bubbles, and if it does, it's the source of your leak.
Distributor Tubes
There are various distributor tubes that go into the evaporator coil, which is a connection point where refrigerant can leak. This spot may be a bit harder to test with soapy water, which is why you can use a tool specifically designed for detecting leaks. It's called an ultrasonic leak detector, and it works by placing it near those connections and you can basically hear the refrigerant leaking out of the tubes.
Filter Drier
The air conditioner also has a filter drier located on the outside of the home, which can be problematic for anyone that lives near the ocean. This is because the salt in the air can cause this part to corrode, which will eventually cause refrigerant to leak out of the air conditioner. If you have this part installed on the inside of your home, it is more likely to be in good condition, but it is still worth inspecting to find the leak.
Accumulator Tank
Another part that can corrode on the outside compressor is an accumulator tank. This part is made out of a thinner metal, and it is located within the air conditioner unit. It is protected by the outside casing of the compressor, but it's still a potentially weak component that can break. Look at the top and bottom of the part, since that is a spot that can leak.
Outdoor Condenser Coil
There is a tube along the bottom of the outdoor condenser coil, which has the potential to rot along the bottom of the part. This is because water can collect along the bottom of the unit and cause it to corrode, which is not good for the long-term wear and tear of the part. Try to listen to this part with the ultrasonic leak detector to find out if it is leaking.
For more info about AC system repairs, contact a local company.
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