Top AC Problems and How to Avoid Them
Living in Parrish, Florida, without air conditioning is like running a marathon without drinking water. It compromises your health and puts you in a pretty unbearable situation. Cooling system repairs come in many forms, some of which are quite costly. Regular maintenance helps keep repairs to a minimum. It also ensures the AC system operates with optimal effectiveness and efficiency and keeps you comfortable at all times. Staying aware of common AC problems and how to address them can also reduce cooling system repairs.
Clogged Filter
A clogged filter makes the air conditioner worker harder to cool your home. The harder it has to work, the more energy it consumes. The more energy it uses, the higher your cooling bills. A clogged filter also leads to inadequate air filtration, which compromises your home’s indoor air quality.
It’s best to change the filter at least once a month during parts of the year when you’re running the AC system full blast. If you have indoor pets, check and change the air filter more frequently. Pet dander clogs filters quickly and aggravates allergy and asthma symptoms.
Refrigerant Leaks
When the AC refrigerant leaks, the coils can’t properly absorb heat inside your home and expel it outside. Refrigerant leaks can also cause warm air to blow through your home’s air vents. The exact cause of the leak determines how costly the repair. However, it’s important to have the leak repaired as soon as possible to keep the compressor from failing. Therefore, you should contact an HVAC professional immediately.
Clogged Drain
Just like air filters, AC drain lines clog with dirt, dust and other debris. A clogged drain will lead to the drain pan filling up with water. Once it gets full, the water will leak out of the pan and cause damage to the air conditioner and the surrounding area. A certified HVAC service technician can check and unclog the drain line during an AC tune-up. As a result, they’ll help eliminate any potential water damage.
Thermostat Issues
The location of the thermostat impacts the AC system’s ability to cool your home. If it’s placed in direct sunlight, the AC system may run more than it should because it thinks the inside temperature isn’t matching your desired comfort level. This makes it difficult to save money on your AC bills during the summer.
Make sure to place the thermostat outside of direct sunlight and away from heat-producing appliances. It’s also important to check the thermostat’s settings. If it isn’t set to the COOL mode, it won’t signal the AC system to kick on.
Burned Out Capacitors
The compressor and fans on the cooling system have motors. These motors have capacitors — a start capacitor and a run capacitor. When either of these capacitors burns out, the cooling system can’t function properly. This is another repair job to leave in the hands of a professional.
Dirty Condenser Coils
The cooling system’s condenser coils are located in the outside unit with the compressor. Many homeowners wash these coils with a water hose once a year to clean them of any dirt and dust. However, once they get too dirty, you must contact a professional HVAC service technician to clean them for you with a special chemical cleaner.
Bad Breakers and Fuses
The cooling system’s motor and compressor receive protection from overheating, thanks to breakers and fuses. If the motor dies on the air conditioner, an HVAC professional will usually start the diagnosis process by checking these fuses and breakers.
Worn-Out Contactors
The compressor, condenser fan motor and other components of the air conditioner have contactors. These contactors create an electrical connection that ensures the motor and compressor start when they’re supposed to. Arcing and pitting on any of these contactors make it difficult for the motor to receive the proper electrical connection. Worn-out contactors must be replaced by a professional HVAC contractor.
The eight common AC problems listed above are only a few of the issues your cooling system might endure. Any time you notice the AC system isn’t operating as it should, give Custom Air & Plumbing a call at (866) 819-0992. We offer a variety of AC maintenance and repair services to keep your cooling system running at full efficiency.
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