Many places throughout the country are feeling the lasts gasps of winter. While the weather may still be slightly chilly, it won’t be long before the hot weather moves in, and you need to turn on your air conditioner. Right now is the ideal time to ensure that this appliance is in good running condition. The last thing you want is to deal with air conditioner problems during the heat of the summer.
When it comes to issues that might occur with this unit, there are some common problems that will need to be repaired. Seven of these are listed below.
1. Low Refrigerant Levels
Your air conditioning unit works by pulling in warm air from the surrounding environment and cooling it, and it requires the right amount of refrigerant to keep your home at the ideal temperature. If you are low on this essential item, then your air conditioner won’t work the way it’s supposed to.
There are several reasons why you might be low on refrigerant, including the fact that you might have leaks in the line. If that occurs, then you need to have them repaired by a professional. You can check ecoairheatandcool.com to hire a contractor.
Over time and with use, you will use up your refrigerant. Having a professional who is licensed and knows exactly where your levels should be will ensure that your air conditioner runs optimally to keep you comfortable all summer long.
2. Frozen Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils are another important component when it comes to cooling outside air, and they need warm air flowing around them to keep the unit running properly. If something goes wrong with the airflow, the evaporator coils can freeze, and you won’t get cool air circulating throughout your home.
To fix these issues, it’s important to thaw these coils and then figure out why warm air isn’t flowing through the air conditioner like it’s supposed to. It could be because of a buildup of dirt and grime, a fan issue or potentially a dirty filter. A professional will be able to quickly and easily pinpoint the problem and fix it so that your evaporator coils don’t freeze in the future.
3. Issues with the Fan
Your air conditioning unit contains several fans: one that brings in warm air from the outside and another that pushes cold air into your home. If one or both of these fans aren’t working correctly, your unit won’t either.
There are many reasons why you might be having issues with your fans, including a bad motor; lack of lubrication; belts that are worn, cracked or broken; or a buildup of dirt and debris on the inside of your air conditioning unit.
It’s recommended that you take care of the fan problems as soon as possible. If you don’t, it could lead to compressor failure. Should that component break, you may have to buy a new air conditioner.
4. Problems with the Thermostat
Some of the most common issues with air conditioners stem from the thermostat. In a lot of cases, this is set to the wrong temperature, so your home won’t be as cool as you prefer. This is easy to fix, and all you have to do is set the thermostat to the ideal temperature.
Of course, there are other issues that could occur with your thermostat that aren’t as easy to fix. If the thermostat is old, it may not be able to read the temperature like it used to. There may also be issues with the wiring or the mechanism that turns the unit on and off.
Before calling in a professional, the first thing you want to do is check your thermostat and make sure it’s set to the right temperature. You’ll then want to make sure that it’s out of the sun, as this can also impact how well it reads the temperature in your home. Should you still be having issues after taking these steps, then you can call in someone to check your thermostat to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced.
5. Damaged Drainage System
Your air conditioning unit not only cools the outside air, but it also removes moisture. When your unit is running optimally, the moisture that is removed is collected in a pan and then flows through a drain. It’s possible that the line can break or crack, or the drain can get clogged, and if one of these issues occurs, the water can back into your air conditioner. Should that happen, this can damage your appliance.
Should you have broken or cracked drain lines or a clogged drain, it’s also possible that the water can leak into your home and cause damage to your ceilings, walls and furniture. This can also lead to mold growth. Thus, making sure your drain lines are in good working order and that your drain is free of clogs will keep your air conditioner running the way it should and protect your home from water damage.
6. Duct Leaks
The ducts in your home direct the cool air from the air conditioning unit to every corner of your home. If there are holes or breaks in this system, then the cold air will wind up circulating in your walls, leaving you and your family hot and sweaty.
There are many reasons why your ducts might leak, including the fact that they are old and worn, or they may have been damaged in some other way. To ensure that you are enjoying the cold air that your air conditioner creates and to reduce your utility bills, you need to make sure your ducts are in good working order.
7. Electrical Issues
There are a lot of components in your air conditioner that need electricity to run, and if there are problems with any of these, you won’t get the cool air you need to be comfortable during the summer. From tripped breakers and fuses to capacitors that run the engine to the switches that turn the fans on and off, a professional will ensure that your unit gets the electricity it needs to keep running.