Summer is a wonderful and fun season of the year. The accompanying heat is its only major downside. Folks living in Chesterfield, Missouri, have to deal with hot temperatures that could get as high as 89°F around July. Having your AC break down in this period is not something anyone will wish for.
Since we know this, we have compiled this article to give you tips on how you can prevent such breakdowns. Furthermore, we discuss some major air conditioning repairs you might encounter and how to deal with them.
How to Prevent Air Conditioning Repair through Maintenance
Maintenance is the best and easiest way to stop your HVAC unit from breaking down. You are required to carry out a maintenance check on your unit at least once a year and it is better to be worked on by a qualified technician. You can check sites like Kirkwood AC repair services to learn how to get a qualified technician.
Some of the things that will be done during the maintenance check are:
- Cleaning the unit
- Cleaning the registers and indoor vents
- Changing of air filter, etc.
When you perform this maintenance service, it helps your AC in the following ways:
- It enhances its performance and efficiency; by extension reduces energy bills.
- It lengthens the unit’s life.
- It reduces the risk of a breakdown.
Common Air Conditioning Problems
Although a maintenance service reduces the risk of having a breakdown, it doesn’t necessarily stop it completely. So many factors can be responsible for such a breakdown.
These breakdowns are more common in the summer. Having an idea of what to expect will make you more comfortable if such happens because you know what the problem is and what should be done.
Let’s take a look at the issues…
Refrigerant Leak
This is a very common problem that many HVAC will encounter during their lifetime. The refrigerant in the HVAC allows the unit to function optimally as it aids in heat release, thereby cooling the system.
During installation, your cooling unit is charged with a refrigerant. A leak or poor charge might cause a drop in the refrigerant level below the required amount. To fix this, you need to recharge the refrigerant. Also, if a leak is noticed, it must be fixed.
Monitor the technician who is carrying out the charge to ensure that your unit is charged with the appropriate refrigerant amount. The amount is usually specified by the manufacturer. You can find out the specified amount by checking your AC’s user manual. Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSpfBXhk0nQ to see how refrigerant is added to an AC unit.
Drainage Problems
Condensation is a normal process that occurs while your cooling system is working. The condensation that is produced usually flows out from the unit through the drain lines and pan. If the lines or pan gets clogged, or the humidity outside the house is too high, it can cause the condensate to flow back into the AC.
When the condensation becomes excess within the system, it will cause an increase in the humidity levels within the house. This also affects the performance of the air conditioner negatively. Furthermore, the internal parts of your unit can get damaged.
To fix this, the technician will have to examine the condensate drain lines as well as the drain pan. If there are any clogs, they will be removed. They can also be treated to prevent the growth of algae in the future that could lead to another clog.
If any parts were damaged, you will be given an estimate for the repair cost by the technician.
Damaged Compressor Fan
The outside unit of your HVAC houses the condenser coils, fan, and compressor. These function in harmony to get rid of heat from your house which is why you have a cool temperature in the house.
If the fan is damaged, then the removal of heat becomes impossible. Instead of cooling the system, the compressor begins to overheat. This, in turn, can activate your system’s safety control which turns the AC off.
Apart from that, the compressor can even get damaged as a result of overheating. When that happens, you will have to replace the compressor and that can be quite pricey.
To remedy the situation, the technician will identify the problem that is responsible for the fan not working as it should. He will then determine if the fan is to be replaced or repaired. The AC’s outdoor unit is also checked to confirm if there is any further damage.
Frozen Condenser Coils
It doesn’t have to be the winter before you can experience this issue, it can happen even during the summer months. How does this occur?
As we mentioned above, the condenser coils are housed in the air conditioner’s outdoor unit. Improper airflow can lead to the formation of ice on the condenser coils.
The reason for improper airflow is usually clogged air ducts or filthy air filters. Another reason could be that that the conditioning unit is low on refrigerant.
When the technician is invited, they will diagnose the problem to determine what caused the condenser coils to freeze up. After the cause is discovered, it will be fixed before they carefully thaw the coils to bring back your air conditioner to its proper working conditions.
Conclusion
A heating and air conditioning system can experience a breakdown at any time; however, they are more likely to do so during the summer. You can prevent this with regular maintenance. Nevertheless, if it yours break down, we believe you now have an idea of what could be the possible cause.
