If you notice that your air conditioning system might be having trouble, you are trying to figure out what is happening before it breaks down. When you can replace failing components proactively before they can cause more significant issues. You can often avert a more expensive repair, and inconvenient downtime, take place on the hottest day of the year.
The fan of your air conditioner
There are actually at least 2 of them in the majority of systems. If one part goes bad a result in a whole host of other issues.
Here is a quick primer on air conditioner fans. The indications you are noticing might point to replacing one of these fans to avert a breakdown. In addition, we will share how you can prevent such sort of problem from happening to you again.
Which air conditioner fan is failing: blower and condenser?
In the most common types of central air conditioning systems, you have two different types of fans:
- Blower Fan – The blower is part of the indoor air conditioning unit. The blower fan removes the heat from your space and supplies cool air. The blower fan moves the cooled air through ducts and registers into the rooms or areas in your space. When the blower fan or motor is not working right, your system loses cooling power and can make strange noises.
- Condenser Fan – The condenser is the outdoor component of your air conditioning system. This unit may be located on the roof or in a mechanical room. The condenser fan helps cool the system’s refrigerant and eject surplus heat outdoors. If the fan stops working, your system can overheat, as a result in severe and costly problems.
Keep reading to learn which air conditioner may be failing and what to do next.
The following are some of the most common symptoms that you may be noticing. The air conditioner fan problem that may be causing them:
An Insufficient Explanation for the Purpose:
Weak Air Flow
Your air conditioner can experience problems when the motor that drives the blower slows down or burns out. The fan slows down because of dust and grime coat. If you have access to your indoor air conditioner unit, look at the fan and see if it is turning slowly or not. If the airflow coming from your vents is weak, this could mean that the blower is malfunctioning.
Weak airflow can even result from clogged air filters or leaky ducts. Your best bet is, to begin with, a professional inspection and cleaning of your system. The professional inspection takes care of all the possible causes of poor airflow.
Unusual Noises
First, does the noise seem to be coming from the indoor or outdoor unit?
- Indoor Noises – A buzzing noise inside could mean that the blower motor is working, but the fan is not turning. If you pay attention to a squealing sound, this could mean that the motor is not working correctly. Rattling or clanking usually implies that a part has come loose inside the assembly.
- Outdoor Noises – If the debris managed to get inside the unit and is blown around by the fan produces a rattling noise in the unit.
A lot of these problems can be fixed in a routine maintenance visit by Rod’s Cooling & Heating LLC.
Burning Smell
Exact question: is the smell coming from the indoor or outdoor unit?
- Indoor Burning Smell – An electrical burning smell coming from the indoor AC unit signs the overheating of the blower fan motor. You may see the blower fan slowing down or turning more slowly than usual. In this scenario, the safety feature of the system should automatically power down the unit.
- Outdoor Burning Smell – An electrical burning smell means the condenser fan is malfunctioning. It can overheat the compressor, which is very serious. An object lodged into the unit generates a burning plastic smell, which can even cause it to overheat. In either scenario, firstly shut down the unit right away and get a certified HVAC professional to take a look.
Intermittent Shutdowns
If the blower motor is aging and needs replacement, the system may occasionally shut down on its own. As a result, particularly on a hot day when the system is running for a long time. The aging motor works hard to turn the blower fan. As a result, the motor overheats and triggers the unit to shut down.
In this scenario, you may need a technician to replace the blower motor and fan.
Fan Stopped or Moving Slowly
As you investigate any other symptoms mentioned above all, you may discover that the blower fan or the condenser fan is turning slower or not working. Often, this issue can be caused by a bad capacitor. An electrical component that stores power and delivers it to the fan. If this is the source of your air conditioner’s problem. You are lucky: this is a quick and straightforward fix by any HVAC technician.
Preventing air conditioner fan issues from causing a breakdown
All of the problems mentioned in this guide should be discovered during a routine maintenance visit, before noticing the symptoms. Your HVAC technician would have replaced worn components. before they caused more significant problems to keep the unique working properly.
Having an HVAC, preventative maintenance contract prevents breakdowns and even saves you money. If you are looking for a professional and reliable HVAC service provider, get in touch with Rod’s Cooling & Heating LLC. We are just a phone call away – 316 776 4088!
