Summer is in full swing, and that means the AC is working overtime! If you’re like most people, you don’t want to spend the whole summer dealing with a broken AC. That’s why it’s important to schedule aircon services before things start heating up. In this article, we will discuss some of the common problems that can occur with your AC unit and how to prevent them. We will also provide information on what to do if your AC does break down, and require aircon servicing from experts like LK Brothers. Keep reading for tips on keeping your AC running smoothly all summer long!
1. Absence of cold air:
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
If you notice that your AC unit is blowing warmer air than normal, it may just need to be recharged with refrigerant. AC units may lose a little of their refrigerant over time and that will have to be topped off occasionally for the unit to keep working properly. If your AC is blowing warmer air than normal at pressures, you know are on the low side, chances are it just needs a recharge. A qualified HVAC technician can do this in a matter of minutes and have your AC blowing cold air again.
2. Reduced airflow:
In addition to reduced airflow volume from cool air being blown from your vents, there can also be reduced airflow as a result of an accumulation of dirt and debris around the outdoor unit of your central cooling system. The resulting buildup can reduce airflow volume coming out of some vents by up to 50%. This is not only inefficient, it can be dangerous because you may think your AC is cooling normally, but it could very well be putting off carbon monoxide into your home. The solution? Have your unit routinely checked before the summer kicks in for excessive dirt and debris around the outdoor unit of the central cooling system.
3. Noisy operation:
Source: kacexpress.com
How often have you heard an AC unit crank up during summer when everyone else seems to have theirs on – or maybe even several other units?! If so, it’s probably because your neighbor’s AC unit is malfunctioning, squealing, screeching, rattling… basically grinding itself to death. To prevent this from happening to your AC unit, make that your HVAC service technician checks for excessive belt wear before the summer starts.
4. Water leakage:
Water leakage from your AC unit can lead to mold and mildew growth, resulting in a musty odor throughout your home. Something as simple as a split seam or loose drain valve can cause water leakage that leads to all sorts of trouble! To avoid this, have leaking seams and drains repaired by a HVAC service technician right away. Also make sure that condensate lines are draining properly and that the drip pan isn’t overflowing. If you’re noticing puddles around the air conditioner, chances are something is wrong with one of these components within the evaporative system (the part of an HVAC system containing compressors, tubing, receivers, tanks, pumps, drips pans).
5. Dirty or clogged filters:
Source: homestratosphere.com
Here’s one you probably hear all the time – “my filters are dirty/clogged!” It may seem like a no brainer to change your filter regularly, but many people neglect this easy step, which leads to an AC unit that is not operating efficiently. If your AC system has a permanent or electronic air cleaner, try calling in a professional HVAC company airconservicing.org to clean it if it looks too difficult for you. While you’re at it, replace disposable filters every month during the summer months and wash window mounted units monthly as well (just run them under some tepid water using detergent). If you have fiberglass filters rather than disposable ones, have them washed every three months to six months depending on how dusty your home is.
6. Not enough cooling:
Despite being a luxury, many people forget about turning on their AC unit until it’s hot as blazes outside! By then it may be too late and you’ll find that your air conditioner isn’t providing enough cooling to actually make a difference in the comfort of your home – not good! To remedy this, set the thermostat for a nice low temperature (between 70 and 75 degrees) when you go to bed at night or before leaving the house during the day. Also, try setting up some sort of ventilation system, such as an open window whenever possible, to bring cool air from outside into your home without compromising your safety.
7. Your AC is taking too long to start up.
Source: airextreme.com.au
Have you noticed that your air conditioner never comes on when you first turn it on? You might think this is because the temperature inside of your home is already cool enough but there could be another reason – lack of gas pressure! A service call for this problem will usually cost around some dollars and last only an hour or two but if this isn’t fixed, all sorts of problems can arise like inefficient cooling, water leakage into your home, difficulty maintaining the set temperature, poor airflow volume and the list goes on!
8. Excess humidity:
This is caused by a malfunctioning condensate drainage system, which may be due to improper installation at the time of your unit’s purchase or an accumulation of debris that has clogged the drain line over time. As mentioned in #5, have this looked after by a qualified HVAC technician if you think it might be affecting your AC unit.
9. Dirty condenser coils:
Source: hgtv.com
This problem will probably cause an excess strain on your electrical system because the blower will work overtime trying to push air through grime clogging the evaporator coils (the part of an HVAC system containing compressors, tubing, receivers, tanks, pumps, drips pans). It can also lead to water leakage into your home as well as a moldy smell. Regular HVAC service will help to prolong the life of your AC unit and keep it running at peak performance, which is why many people choose to have annual maintenance performed despite the inconvenience!
