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Your air conditioning system can struggle to deliver at peak levels when you don’t check on it regularly. If you have ever spent the summer in a house with a damaged HVAC system it’s definitely an experience you never want to repeat.
You can seek AC repairs from a professional technician when your air conditioner is not correctly installed or skip regular maintenance practices.
When your air conditioning becomes problematic, and the temperature in your house starts rising, you need emergency repair services. It can be challenging to comprehend the cause of different HVAC problems without the help of a professional technician. Reading this article can help you understand how these problems occur and how to prevent and repair them.
Dirty Filters
Clogged filters prevent airflow, thus reducing the efficiency of your air conditioning system. You are advised to clean your filters periodically. By reading through the manufacturers’ instructions, you can know when to replace your dirty filter with a new one.
Homeowners whose air conditioning systems run continuously or own pets like cats and puppies need to replace their filters more often. It is economical to use filters that can be cleaned and reused, compared to using filters that have to be replaced every three months. Dirty filters can also cause your AC system to freeze. When you try to pass light through the filter, and it fails, you must clean it or replace it.
Blocked Drains
Air conditioners remove moisture from the air, and it must be deposited somewhere else. The moisture is absorbed from the air, to a drain line, to the pan, and then down the drain. When the pipes are blocked, or the pan gets full, this causes backing up of water that damages your system.
Leaking drain lines can damage the ceiling, walls, and furnishings in your house. Always seek AC repair services immediately when you detect a drain leak to prevent mold growth.
Refrigerant Leaks
Low refrigerant level is caused by leaks or undercharging during installation. For your air conditioner to serve you efficiently, the refrigerant level must be exactly equal to the one specified by the manufacturer. Refrigerant leaks cause pollution to the environment, and you must contact a trained technician to fix them before adding the refrigerant.
The cost of repairing a leak often depends on its position. Therefore, you should schedule an HVAC technician to carry out a regular check up on your system.
Faulty Capacitors
The fans in your air conditioner can fail to engage when you have burnt capacitors. The work of a capacitor is to provide the push required to start the motor of your HVAC system. You will need AC repair services once you hear a clicking sound, which indicates worn-out capacitors.
Capacitors work together with the motor. Therefore, you must repair capacitor problems as soon as they are detected to avoid costly motor AC repairs. Regular maintenance of your AC conditioner helps to maintain the capacitors in good condition.
Failed Compressor
When a compressor fails to run, this indicates a defective start capacitor, a burned wire, or a generally defective compressor. AC repair can help to fix these problems. You can check the capacitor, clean your condenser coils, check the refrigerant levels, or replace the entire compressor if it fails to reset.
Your HVAC System Fails to Turn Off
An old or improperly-sized air conditioner works extra hard, tends to cycle more often, and develops difficulty shutting off. Other problems that could make your system have trouble shutting off include a short in the thermostat cable, a damaged thermostat, and a stuck fan relay. When you have such a problem, contact a trained technician for cause diagnosis and AC repair.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils absorb heat from the surrounding air, and for them to work correctly, warm air must be circulating. When evaporator coils become too cold, resulting in the formation of a layer of ice on the outside, your system becomes inefficient.
Several reasons can cause your air conditioner to freeze up, including:
- Broken parts of the system
- Low refrigerant levels
- Low outside temperature, which often happens during the night
- Clogged filter restricting airflow.
To prevent freezing, regularly check on your ductwork to detect and repair any disconnections. Ensure the air flows smoothly, the filters are free of dirt, and the airflow is smooth.
The Air Conditioner Produces Odor
When you find out that your AC is producing a smell like that of vinegar or urine, some bacteria have built up. Collection of water stimulates this growth in your system’s box. Other causes of the weird smell can be a sneaky pete, birds nest, or a leaking anti-freeze. To know what is causing a smelly air conditioner, a thorough inspection must be done by a professional technician in Arlington, TX, before AC repairs are done.
AC Fan Problems
Most air conditioners have two fans. One blows air over the outdoor condenser unit while the other blows indoor air over the evaporator coils. Fans fail to function correctly due to lack of lubrication, too much dirt and debris deposition in the filters, and a faulty motor. Failure to immediately repair the fan’s problem can cause compressor failure.
Thermostat Settings
When your air conditioning system fails to start up, first check the thermostat before seeking AC repair services from a trained technician. It is possible for your AC’s thermostat to accidentally kick-off or turn on into incorrect settings.
You should also check on the interior cleanliness of your thermostat. Ensure that it is level and does not have sunlight interference. Thermostat calibration can also be an issue, which can only be solved by recalibrating your thermostat.
Damaged Breakers or Fuses
Breakers and fuses protect the motor in your AC from overheating. When the engine fails to work, professionals in AC repairs in Arlington, TX, often replace the fuse.
The above are the most common problems that compromise the performance of your air conditioning system. For quick fixing of any of the above issues, contact qualified technicians in Minuteman Heating and Air.