To stay cool in the summertime, your family likely relies on your home air conditioning system. Since summertime brings some of the longest days of the year, it’s not uncommon for your air conditioner to experienced a malfunction or two. By being able to properly identify the malfunction, you can get your system back up and running as quickly as possible.
Bad Thermostat
Home thermostats are designed to last between 7 and 10 years. When your thermostat malfunctions, it can create many different issues with your air conditioning system. The most obvious is that the digital display screen on your thermostat will not turn on. It’s best to check the circuit breaker to ensure that it has power going to the thermostat before replacing the thermostat.
A faulty thermostat can also cause your air conditioning system to run constantly. This is typically due to the fact that your thermostat is not reading the correct temperature. Therefore, it doesn’t know when to signal to your air conditioner when it’s time to shut off. Whenever you’re dealing with a possible thermostat issue, it’s best to contact a professional to confirm your suspicions before replacing the thermostat.
Restricted Airflow at the Condenser
An important part of your air conditioning system is the outdoor condenser unit. In order for this unit to disperse heat to the outdoors, it needs to have free airflow around it. Unfortunately, all too often, outside debris gets pushed up against the outside of the condenser unit. This will block the fan grates on the AC grille cover.
It’s crucial that you take the time to remove any loose debris that is surrounding your condenser unit. There should be a good 2 to 3 feet of open space around the entire unit to ensure that it’s getting proper airflow to work optimally.
Dirty Filter
To remove unwanted pollutants from the air inside of your home, there is a built-in air filter as part of your air conditioning system. This air filter works by trapping unwanted particles and debris from your indoor air. When the filter is reaching the end of its lifespan, it will become clogged. This will restrict airflow from going through the filter and will make your air conditioner work much harder than it needs to.
It’s best to replace your air conditioner filter once a month in the summertime. This will help to ensure that there will be no blockage in the airflow of your air conditioning system so that it can work at its most optimal level.
Clogged Drain
As your air conditioning unit works to cool the air inside of your home, it removes humidity from the air. As that moisture is taken out of the air, it drops off the evaporator coils and down into the drain. The moisture can have unwanted debris inside of it that gets carried down the drain. In addition, the large amount of water that makes its way through the drain can cause hard water buildup.
When you experience a clog in your drain or the pipe beneath it, the water that your air conditioner is pulling out of the air will have nowhere to drain. This will cause a backup of water inside your indoor air conditioner unit. You’ll start to notice that there’s a puddle sitting underneath your indoor unit in the basement. You’ll need to remove the clog from the drain or the drainpipe before your system can work correctly again.
Fan Problem
The fans inside your air conditioning unit are constantly running to move air throughout your system. Over time, these fans can experience an abundance of issues that can wreak havoc on the rest of your system. Some of the most common fan issues are a loose fan belt and a broken motor bearing. These will result in screeching and squealing noises.
Another common fan issue is having debris stuck in the outdoor condenser fan. This could bend the fan blades, which can further cause damage to the entire outdoor unit. If you believe that your air conditioning unit is experiencing trouble with one of its fans, it’s best to shut it off right away. Go ahead and get in contact with an air conditioning professional to assess your situation and fix it before turning your system back on.
Blocked Vents
Each room in your home has at least one supply vent and one return vent. These vents connect to your ductwork that connects to your air conditioning system. Your air conditioning system pulls in warm air from the return vent and forces cold air out of the supply vent.
If you have any of these vents blocked, your air conditioner will not be capable of properly circulating the air throughout your home. If you notice restricted airflow in your air conditioning system, it would be wise to walk around to all your vents and make sure that they’re not blocked. You want to ensure that each vent has its grates open and there’s nothing physically in front of the vent that would prevent free airflow from happening.
Low Refrigerant
If you notice that your air conditioning system isn’t providing the same cooling power as it used to, it could be due to the fact that your refrigerant level is low. Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your entire air conditioning system. It’s responsible for transferring the warm air from the inside of your home to the outdoors.
Over time, the coils and the copper tubing that the refrigerant flows through can develop tiny pinholes and leaks. As the refrigerant leaks out of these pinholes, it will reduce the amount that you have in your system. In order to remedy this problem, you’ll need to call in an air conditioning professional to recharge the refrigerant. It’s not recommended to do this on your own as refrigerant can be dangerous when not handled properly.
Leaky Ductwork
Another essential component of your air conditioning system is ductwork. This ductwork runs throughout the various walls and floors of your home to deliver cold air to each room. When there are leaks in your ductwork, it can allow the cold air to seep out. If there is a large number of leaks or they’re large in size, it can make a significant difference in the amount of cold air that is delivered to each room in your home.
You’ll likely notice a leak in your ductwork if one room in your home tends to be a lot warmer than the rest. This typically indicates that there is a leak before that room in your series of ductwork. Since ductwork is enclosed in the walls and in the flooring, it’s best to call in an air conditioning professional to seal up your ductwork. They have the appropriate equipment to reach that ducting in a safe manner to successfully repair it.
Trustworthy AC Repair Available Now
Polar Air & Heating, Inc. is your trustworthy air conditioner repair specialist serving the Las Vegas community. We offer cooling, heating, and indoor air quality services for all of our loyal customers. Just give us a call today to request our emergency air conditioner repair services. We look forward to serving all of your home climate comfort needs.
