Five Signs That Your Air Conditioning Unit Is Starting to Break

According to a 2021 report from Britain’s Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, under 5% of homes in the UK have air conditioning. Compared to somewhere like the US, that’s an incredibly small number. But for those of us that use air conditioning units, we find them absolutely necessary to make hot Summers bearable. In fact, more and more people are starting to install air conditioning units in their homes just for the convenience and comfort they offer.

But because air conditioning isn’t widespread in the UK, people aren’t really knowledgeable about how they work. It’s important to understand how they function so that you can fix them if necessary, so here are five things to look out for if you suspect that your unit is starting to break.

Your Heating And Cooling Costs Are Starting To Increase

Have you noticed that your heating and cooling bills are starting to increase? If so, then you might have a broken or failing air conditioning unit. There are other factors to take into consideration such as electricity costs and how much you’re using it. However, if you’re paying double or more for your air conditioning compared to last year, then your air conditioning unit might not be functioning as efficiently as it should be.

You’re Starting To Hear Strange Sounds From Your Air Conditioning Unit

Noticing that your air conditioning unit is making strange sounds? If so, there’s a chance that something in the unit is loose. A belt could be misaligned or a part could be broken. If the sound is particularly loud then it’s likely that a large piece of the unit has come off or broken. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as general wear and tear or something getting stuck in the vents.

You Can Smell Something Strange Coming From Your Air Conditioning Unit

You might find that an old and unmaintained air conditioning unit might let off weird smells. If you only smell something strange when the air conditioning is on, then there could be mildew or mould growing somewhere in your system. These smells will then be circulated around your home and could be unpleasant.

Your Air Conditioning Unit Has Very Little Airflow

If your air conditioning unit isn’t circulating air very effectively then it could be due to a dirty filter, a bad blower motor, or even just a blockage somewhere in the vents. If you notice that the airflow is significantly lower, then we suggest that you get it checked out and repaired so that you don’t spend more money on heating and cooling your home due to an inefficient unit.

The Quality Of Your Air Isn’t As Good As Before

Lastly, don’t forget to consider the quality of air in your home. If you or someone else in the home is sneezing and coughing more often, then there’s a very good chance that the air quality is to blame. This can be caused by something getting stuck in the air vents, the filters not working correctly, or even something more drastic like a coolant leak. Any other enquiries regarding your appliances? Westcott Refrigeration are happy to help.