Is your air conditioner sputtering, gurgling, and struggling to keep up? It’s not uncommon for a system to show these signs when it’s straining through a lack of airflow. A choking AC should be fixed by a professional right away to restore function and comfort to your home while preventing further damage. Be on the lookout for signs of a choking AC so you know when to call for help.
Is your AC choking? Contact Masters right away for superior diagnostic and repair services.
What Does It Mean If Your Air Conditioner Is Choking?
If your air conditioner is choking, this means the unit isn’t functioning properly due to a blockage or restriction in airflow. This lack of air supply prevents the system from effectively cooling your home and can cause damage to the unit.
Warning Signs of an AC Choke
It’s important to watch out for warning signs of a choking AC to have the issue addressed right away. This will help prevent serious damage and ensure system function is restored as soon as possible.
Warning signs of an AC choke include:
- Strange noises: Loud, unexpected, or unusual noises indicate a problem. Listen for signs of clanking, humming, whistling, or crunching.
- Ice forming on coils: If your condensation drains are clogged, this can cause water to accumulate in the system. Over time, this excess moisture can freeze on your coils.
- High electricity bills: If your AC is struggling to function because of a choke, it will use up more energy to compensate. If your ducts are damaged and leaking, this will also waste energy, causing your AC to work harder to effectively cool your home.
- Poor AC performance: If airflow is being restricted or conditioned air is being leaked by damaged ductwork, your AC won’t perform as well as it should. Your AC might be choking if you’ve noticed uneven cooling, insufficient cooling, no cool air, or even warm air coming from the unit.
Check for a Choked Off Evaporator Coil
A choked-off evaporator coil is often caused by dirty or clogged air filters. The evaporator coil is a crucial component for removing heat and generating cool air to circulate through your home. It requires unobstructed airflow to function properly and adequately cool your space, otherwise it can lead to a choking AC. This can be prevented by regularly cleaning and replacing your HVAC air filters.
Look for a Blocked Outdoor Condenser
Your air conditioner requires an outside unit to release the heat removed from your home outdoors. This condenser is exposed to the elements, meaning debris can collect around the base and choke the AC. The outside compressor needs about 3 feet of clear space around it for unrestricted airflow and optimal performance. Leaves, sticks, grass clippings, landscaping, and more can block this outdoor condenser, preventing heat from being properly removed from your home.
How to Fix and Prevent a Choking AC
If you suspect you have a choking AC, you should try changing the filters and cleaning the outdoor condenser. If this doesn’t help, it could be a more sophisticated issue, like a problem with the fan motor, which requires professional diagnosis and repair.
To prevent AC chokes in the future, schedule regular seasonal maintenance. Routine maintenance performed by an HVAC professional ensures each component of your AC system is inspected and cared for. It also allows professionals to spot and fix any minor problems before they can spiral and impact your system’s performance.
Choose Masters for AC Maintenance
At Masters, our HVAC technicians can expertly diagnose and repair the cause of your choking AC. Whether you have a blockage from dirty air filters or a system malfunction, we have what it takes to quickly resolve the issue and restore function to your system. The team at Masters offers high-quality AC solutions, including repair, installation/ replacement, and maintenance services. During a maintenance visit, our team will go through a comprehensive checklist to help prevent future issues, improve performance and efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your AC.
Choose Masters for all your AC needs. Schedule comprehensive AC maintenance now.
