As a homeowner, you probably don’t think about your air conditioner until something goes wrong and it stops working. But the truth is that there are certain problems that you can run into with your AC system that you simply cannot put off fixing because they will only get worse over time.
Here are some central air conditioning problems that can cause major damage to your home, your family’s health, and safety, or the environment if you put them off. You may also want to visit this page to learn more about AC problems and repairs.
Refrigerant Leaks
If your unit isn’t blowing cool air like it used to, or if you hear a hissing noise coming from the unit, refrigerant leaks are likely the issue. Refrigerant leaks are common in older air conditioners and can cause serious problems for your AC.
The refrigerant is what absorbs the heat from the air inside your house and releases it outdoors through an evaporator coil. Once it has done its job, it returns to the condenser coil outside to start over again.
When an AC system doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it has to work harder and longer to cool your home. This uses more energy and causes more wear and tear on all of its parts. In addition, refrigerant leaks prevent air conditioners from removing as much moisture from the air in your home, which can cause mold growth on walls and ceilings.
Condenser Unit Problems
The condenser unit is the part of the AC that is located outside the house. It’s usually positioned in a concrete pad or on bricks and slabs where it’s exposed to the sun and weather. It contains many important components like the compressor, condenser coils, fans, and capacitors.
If any one of these components is damaged, it can prevent your AC from working properly. You will know that you have problems with your condenser unit if your AC is producing warm air or if it is making unusual noises. If this happens, call an HVAC company immediately because these are signs of serious problems with your condenser unit.
It can also be an issue if the condenser unit is situated near a sprinkler system. The water from the sprinkler can splash over to the air conditioning system and damage it, causing major AC repair problems that could cost you a lot of money to fix. You may want to relocate your sprinkler or try to cover up your AC system so that water won’t splash all over it.
Drainage Problems
It is normal for an air conditioner to produce water when it cools down the air in your home. However, this water should be drained away properly to avoid causing other problems to your AC.
If you notice that water has collected around the unit, this could mean that there is a problem with its drainage system. Make sure to check around the outdoor compressor and look for signs of water pooling around it.
Broken Thermostat
If your AC system has suddenly stopped working, it could be because the thermostat is broken. This device is designed to control the temperature in your home by regulating the amount of cool air that flows through your ducts at one time. When the thermostat malfunctions, the unit will not regulate air properly.
This problem can sometimes be fixed by changing the batteries in the thermostat or resetting it after a power outage occurs. However, if these two options fail to fix the issue, you may need to have your AC replaced by a professional service technician.
Frozen Coils
When most of us think of a broken air conditioner, we imagine it being too hot. But did you know that an AC can actually freeze up? It’s true, and when it happens, the frozen coils can make your home uncomfortably cold.
When it’s cold outdoors and you haven’t used your air conditioner in a few days or weeks, the evaporator coils can freeze. When the thermostat is set too low and the fan switch is turned off, this occurs. It can also happen if the air conditioner has poor or restricted airflow due to dirty filters, clogged drain lines, or insufficient refrigerant.
The frozen coils will keep your AC from cooling your home properly and in some cases; they may make you feel colder than normal. If you suspect that your coils have frozen up, turn off the air conditioning unit and consult an HVAC professional immediately to avoid further damage.
Faulty Motor Capacitor
The motor capacitor is responsible for starting and stopping the AC compressor and fan motor. If the capacitor fails, it won’t be able to start or stop the motor, thereby making it difficult for your air conditioner to function properly.
Over time, the capacitor may become faulty due to overuse or damage from power surges. In most cases, you will know that the motor capacitor has failed when you hear clicking noises from your indoor unit every five minutes. This happens because the relay inside the indoor unit is trying to start the outdoor compressor but failing at it.
Poor Airflow
This is one of the most common problems people experience with their AC system. There are a lot of different things that could cause poor airflow. It might be something as simple as a dirty filter that needs to be replaced, or it could be something more serious like a bad compressor.
If air isn’t flowing through your vents as it should, you should turn off the system and call an HVAC technician right away. You probably won’t want to run the system until you have someone come out and look at it anyway because it will just waste energy and make your house hotter without actually cooling it down.
You should never wait if you see any issues with your central air conditioning unit. These issues can cost you much more money and headache in the long run.
If you are in Miami and surrounding areas and suspect that something is wrong with your unit, don’t hesitate to contact a reliable HVAC company like Direct Air to take care of the issue immediately. Getting regular maintenance and ASC tune-up will help keep your unit running for years and save you money in the long run.
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