5 Emergency Signs That Mean You Should Shut Off Your AC Right Now

But when the heat becomes unbearable, an air conditioning unit that is malfunctioning can be quite a disaster. But trying to make an air conditioning unit that is having problems function can actually cause it to fail completely or even become an electrical hazard. An air conditioning unit will provide some telltale signs if there is anything seriously wrong with it. Here are the five signs you should watch out for.

5 Signs To Stop Using Your AC Right Now

Here are five emergency signs that you must consider while using AC.

1. A Burning or Pungent Electrical Smell

• If you have smelled the burning odour of plastic, rubber, or wires coming out through your vents, switch off the air conditioning immediately.
• This sort of odour usually means the AC motor bearings are overheating, the insulation on the wires is melting, or there is something wrong with the capacitor. This could cause electrical fires.

2. Loud Screeching, Grinding, or Metal-on-Metal Sounds

• Whereas a soft hum is typical, any noise coming suddenly is an indicator of a significant problem in your AC’s mechanism. Screeches usually indicate that there is high pressure in your compressor or that your fan belt has worn out.
• Grinding or clanking normally indicates that a part is loose or that your motor bearing is scraped due to wear.

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3. Ice Buildup on the Coils or Refrigerant Lines

• If frost or ice is present on the indoor unit or outdoor copper lines, the air conditioner should be shut down.
• Air conditioners freeze up due to restricted airflow, such as a heavily clogged filter or due to a refrigerant leak. The compressor will run with great difficulty due to high back-pressure, resulting in a burned-out motor.

4. Major Water Leaks Around the Indoor Unit

• Although some amount of condensate drain is normal outside, any water leakage that occurs inside your house near the indoor system is a major alarm signal.
• It indicates a blocked condensate drain pipe, a broken drain pan, or even melted ice from the evaporator coil. If you let the system run, it will cause a huge water leak on your ceiling and walls.

5. Repeatedly Tripping the Circuit Breaker

• When your AC is constantly tripping the circuit breaker, it means that there is some problem with it which is making it consume electricity dangerously, such as a short circuit or compressor failure.
• Instead of pressing the circuit breaker each time it trips, turn off your AC through the thermostat and turn off the main breaker to ensure a complete lack of power supply to the unit.

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Conclusion

The lack of attention to these symptoms in the AC can very soon turn a minor repair into a dangerous situation that will cost you more. Shut down your system and call for a professional.

Image credits: Freepik

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