Electronic equipment tends to break down from time to time if one does not see to its upkeep and maintenance. Air conditioners are no different and require seasonal tune-ups to keep working efficiently. In the hot weather, living without the AC is unthinkable and unbearable. So to be aware of the most common AC issues is always better.
Most Common AC Issues
Knowing about the common AC issues helps you get a handle on the situation before it gets too late. At the same time, one also becomes aware of what to expect under these circumstances and so taking the appropriate action becomes easy.
1. Dirty Air Filters – The purpose of the air filters is to trap the impurities suspended in the air. When air passes through the air filters, it traps the contaminants and makes the air cleaner and healthier. Failing to replace the air filters at periodic intervals leads to their clogging. As a result, the amount of air received and passed by the air conditioner diminishes. The effect of this is twosome. One, your home will not cool properly. Two, the system will start heating up due to constant strain. A small issue like blocked air filters can cause the early demise of the cooling unit.
2. Incorrect Thermostat Setting – Most homeowners don’t take time to understand the proper programming of the thermostat. They fiddle with it until satisfied. When they feel discomfort, they fiddle with the thermostat once again. But that is not how a thermostat should be handled. Every season has a specific range of temperature settings. It would be best if you programmed the thermostat accordingly. Also, see to it that the fan setting is always “ON” during the summers and not on “Auto”.
3. Refrigerant Leak – New air conditioners will usually not face the problem of a refrigerant leak, until and unless there is a blunt force trauma. However, the same cannot be said for the aged air conditioners. Due to corrosion and constant wear and tear, the evaporator coils develop cracks or holes. These gaps become the source of leaks. Whenever there is a coolant or refrigerant leak, the cooling efficiency of the AC drops. In such a case, your only option is to call your HVAC technician to plug the sources of leak and top up the refrigerant.
4. Blocked Vents And Registers – During the time of renovation, one may deliberately close the vents and registers so that additional dust and debris don’t enter circulation. It is important to remember to open them once the work is over. Alternately, there are times when by mistake, one puts obstructions in front of the vents and registers and closes them off. The realization of such occurrence dawns when the home does not cool properly, and pressure differences can be felt in the home. Removing the obstructions that were placed in front of the vents and registers will solve the problem.
5. Condensate Drainage Issues – The heat that the evaporator coils trap from the hot air to cool it down condensates into water droplets. These collect in the drip tray, and from there, the water is drained out through the drain line. When the drip tray develops cracks, or the drain line gets clogged, the water seeps indoors. It creates water puddles on the floor or dampness of walls. On its own, the problem is a nuisance, but if left unattended, it can lead to mold growth and algae development.
6. Faulty Capacitor – The compressor and the fans work with the aid of capacitors. To begin with, the start capacitor delivers a small charge to initiate the motor. Then the run capacitor sends a series of small shocks to keep the motor running. If either of these capacitors develops a fault or burn, the AC will not run efficiently.
7. Tripped Circuit Breaker – The circuit breaker is a safety mechanism. It is in place to prevent severe damage to the electronics and minimize the chances of fire due to short circuits. Whenever there is a power surge, the circuit breaker to the AC trips and cuts its power supply. The homeowner may, however, not come to know of it until they switch on the AC. So if your AC does not start when switched on, check the circuit breaker once. The chances of it being tripped are pretty high. Pushing it back into the correct position will once again get the air conditioner working.
8. Fuse Is Blown – If the fuse cannot handle the AC’s load, it tends to blow. This happens because the fuse is not of the right capacity. You need to replace the fuse with one that can accurately bear the load of the AC. The best person to advise you about this is your HVAC technician.
9. Dirty Coils – If either of the two coils, i.e., evaporator coils or the condenser coils, are dirty, your AC will not appropriately cool the house. Sometimes due to corrosion and at other times due to dust and debris, these coils get coated. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the AC drops.
10. Leaky Ducts – In old houses and new ones where there is critter or pest infestation, leaky ducts are a common AC issue. These pesky little animals damage the ducts trying to make homes and, at times, even gnaw through them. Consequently, the treated air from AC flows out of the leaks, and warm untreated air mixes with the remaining air in the ducts. Needless to say, the cold air does not remain as cold as before, and your home becomes warmer. You need to call your HVAC contractor to check the ducts and fix the leaks if necessary.
Towards The End
The above mentioned common AC issues usually don’t require expensive repairs. These can be fixed with minimal investment. The key is not to allow the problems to cultivate by ignoring them. A timely address of issues, along with regular AC maintenance, will always stand you in good stead.
Residents of West Palm Beach can contact the ac service experts at Aztil Air Conditioning for repair, maintenance, and installation of their HVAC. You can also call us if you have any queries about the heating and cooling system. Call anytime at +1-888-729-8452 for prompt service and quick resolution of problems.
