If you’ve had your air conditioning break down in the middle of a hot day, it’s certainly a problem that you don’t want to happen again. Unfortunately, you can’t always call in a maintenance specialist right away.
Here are the most common air conditioner problems and what you can do to remedy them:
1. Frozen coils
Evaporator coils can freeze up when there is not enough warm air to keep the refrigerant in its liquid state. When this happens, try turning off the system or switching it to the fan setting to help the coils thaw. If you know how to dismantle the filter, check if it’s clogged or corroded. But if you’re not confident that you can do it yourself, call in the best HVAC and drain cleaning specialist to fix it for you.
2. Low refrigerant
The refrigerant is the substance in the air conditioner that absorbs heat from the air indoors and cools down to distribute the cool air in the house. If there’s not enough refrigerant in your system due to a leak, it can cause temperature fluctuations in your home. When this happens, you can fix the problem by finding the location of the leaks and repairing the holes.
3. Dirty condenser coils
The condenser coils of an air conditioner are responsible for expelling the heat in the air outside. If they’re too dirty or covered in grime, the whole system works harder to cool the house, thus increasing your energy consumption and the risk of the AC breaking down. Luckily, the problem can be fixed by cleaning the condenser coils with a hose or a commercial cleaner. Clean the coils at least once a year or more, especially if you live in an area with high air pollution.
4. Poor airflow
When the fan of your air conditioner is too dirty, has a faulty motor, lacks lubrication, or is simply too old, it can cause reduced airflow in the system. If you suspect that the fan is the problem, try cleaning it first and see if the airflow is improved. Otherwise, try replacing the fan to prevent any further issues, such as compressor failure.
5. Thermostat issues
Make sure your thermostat is properly calibrated, clean on the inside, and on the correct setting. If you have an old thermostat, consider replacing it with a new one.
6. Dirty or clogged filter
Another common reason air conditioners malfunction is a dirty filter. Air filters should be replaced every three months, or as frequently as once a month. If you have a reusable air filter, make sure that you clean it regularly to prevent blocking the flow of air to and from your air conditioner.
There are more problems that you may experience with your air conditioner, but these are the most common ones. If you run into one of these AC issues and can’t fix them on your own, or don’t want the risk of worsening the situation, contact a reliable repair company to fix the problem professionally.