If your air conditioning unit is taking too long to cool your home or is having intermittent problems, now may be the time to contact an AC expert. Most minor issues can often be solved quickly when an experienced technician inspects your system twice annually.
Common AC repairs include cleaning clogged air filters, fixing thermostat issues and refrigerant leaks.
1. Thermostat Issues
If your thermostat isn’t functioning as it should, its effects could ripple throughout your AC system. A telltale sign that something’s amiss with your thermostat could be it refusing to turn on. There could be numerous reasons for this – power or wiring issues could be factors.
Before anything else, double check that your thermostat is receiving power by turning the power switch on and ensuring its batteries are in good condition. If the thermostat still won’t function, a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker could be responsible.
Resetting and replacing batteries may work, but if these solutions don’t help your thermostat get back online then calling in an HVAC specialist might be necessary.
Working with electrical components should only ever be attempted by professionals, and any attempts at repairs or replacement should never be attempted on your own. Doing this type of project on your own could pose serious safety hazards. Instead, you will want to look for reputable professionals like the ones at AirMax AC Repair of Gulf Shores to help you with this process. Nonetheless, some DIY projects such as changing an air filter or patching small duct leaks can be handled without professional intervention.
2. Air Filters
Air filters are an integral component of HVAC systems that serve to remove allergens and irritants from conditioned air circulating throughout your home, so they should be part of a regular maintenance schedule. You can visit this helpful site to learn more about indoor allergens.
They’re easy and inexpensive to replace; should your AC stop blowing cool air, this could be because its filter has become clogged – simply open the vent, locate its air filter compartment, take out and dispose of the old one before replacing with the new one (be sure that air flow arrows face toward AC unit), close vent and turn back on.
Another common AC problem occurs when the fan is running but airflow to the evaporator coil is inadequate, signaling inadequate air flow through vents, ducts or dirty filters. When this occurs it’s essential that these are cleaned as soon as possible with high-quality, reusable filters being replaced if they become blocked up again.
Other AC problems that might indicate your air filter are squealing noises or hissing sounds, which are both costly and bad for the environment. Re-charging with refrigerant may temporarily help while professionals inspect and repair leakage by replacing access ports, compressor valves or condensing coils as necessary – this requires skilled technician’s skills.
3. Ductwork Issues
Ducts that transport heated or cooled air from your HVAC system into your home can become riddled with holes, leaks and blockages that compromise their efficiency, leading to significant energy waste as well as diminishing indoor air quality.
Dirty ducts allow outside contaminants to slip past your air filter and disperse throughout your home, leading to increased allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, eye irritation and stuffiness.
Ductwork issues may also foster mildew and mold growth that negatively impacts health. You can click the link: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-and-health to find out more about these health impacts.
Undersized ducts can restrict air flow and force your HVAC system to work harder in order to keep your home at a constant temperature. If certain areas of your home appear warmer or cooler despite all vents being open, then chances are your ductwork needs reconfiguring.
Another issue can arise when your ducts become blocked with furniture, boxes or other objects that reduce airflow, leading to discomfort and an increase in energy bills.
Bending or sagging flexible ductwork may obstruct airflow as well as any rusted, dented, or collapsed ductwork which must be repaired or replaced immediately; in these instances professional help should be sought to assess whether damage can be repaired or whether an entire new system must be purchased and installed immediately.
4. Electrical Issues
An air conditioner’s electrical components are vital to its operation; however, any defects with its wiring could pose significant problems to its functioning and even lead to system malfunctioning.
Electrical issues can come from many different places. If your AC keeps tripping the circuit breaker, this usually indicates there is something amiss with one of its wirings – even something as minor as a loose breaker that needs tightening or incorrectly-sized breakers that require replacing. Working with electricity involves an inherent risk of electric shock. Therefore, before beginning any electrical wiring repairs on your air conditioner or HVAC system, make sure the power has been shut off first and verify that you have selected an appropriate voltage level and disconnected all relevant wires from their terminals in order to complete repairs safely.
