End of Summer Problems Requiring AC Repair

Posted on: Aug 13, 2019

Summer is winding down, and your air conditioner has been chugging along faithfully, keeping the entire family cool. But what happens when your system hits a snag before the cold weather arrives? Here are some AC problems to keep in mind as fall approaches.

DIRTY CONDENSER COILS

Over the summer, your outside unit can collect dirt and other debris. Over time, some of this debris can get inside the unit, forming a layer over the condenser coils. This can prevent the unit from releasing heat efficiently and cause problems with how your air conditioner functions.

DIRTY AIR FILTERS

During the summer, you should change or clean your air filters often (preferably once a month), to help prevent airflow problems in your home. The lack of airflow can also lead to more significant issues such as frozen coils. If you have pets in the home, such as dogs and cats, you will want to clean or change the air filters more frequently.

PROBLEMS WITH CAPACITORS

The capacitors are the elements inside the AC unit that help to provide electricity to the unit’s motors. If the capacitors receive too much heat, they are no longer able to hold a charge preventing the motor from receiving energy. Without the capacitors, the air conditioner’s motor will not run, meaning that the entire air conditioning system will be unable to function.

CLOGGED DRAINS

Clogged drains can cause major issues not only within the air conditioning unit but also within your home. Leaving the clogged drains unchecked can cause problems such as water leaks that can affect your walls, ceilings, and furniture. In the worst cases, it can also result in mold growth in your home.

Clogged drains are caused when the moisture being produced by the air conditioner has no place to go. Rather than going through a drain line, a clogged drain or a full pan can cause the water to become backed up within the system.

ISSUES WITH THE FANS

Your air conditioning unit contains two fans. One which blows indoor air over the evaporator coils for cooling. The other fan blows over the outdoor unit’s condenser and helps to remove the heat out of the building.

Motor issues, lack of lubrication, worn-out belts, and dirt and other debris can all contribute to issues with your fan.

Problems with the fan can lead to reduced airflow and other issues. This could eventually lead to compressor failure, which means you would likely need to start shopping for another air conditioning unit.

LOW REFRIGERANT

The refrigerant is the substance that helps to remove the humidity and heat from the air.

The refrigerant lines are usually a closed system making the need to replace the refrigerant unnecessarily. If the refrigerant is low, this typically means that there is a leak (or perhaps more than one) that will require calling in a professional to repair.

THERMOSTAT ISSUES

Thermostats, especially older models, can eventually become incorrectly calibrated. If they aren’t correct, that means that your air conditioning system isn’t getting the appropriate temperature setting information to cool your home. Replacing or recalibrating the unit is a relatively easy fix to help you get your unit back in prime operating condition.

Just because summer is almost over, doesn’t mean that you’re free from potential air conditioner troubles just yet.

Use these tips to help troubleshoot any AC problems that might arise.

If you need help with AC problems or would like to schedule an appointment to learn more about our services, please feel free to contact us for more information.