If you’ve ever experienced a hot summer in Tampa Bay plagued with AC breakdowns or if your AC unit keeps shutting itself off, you’ll know that it’s not an experience you want to repeat! Don’t leave this year’s summer comfort to chance! The pros at Super Heat & Air discuss the most common causes of air conditioner problems, and the steps that you can take to prevent these AC repairs.
Top Seven Causes of AC Issues:
Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant is used by your AC unit to remove heat and humidity from the air in your home. If your system has a leak in the refrigerant lines, there won’t be enough refrigerant to adequately cool the air. Unfortunately, in this case, it’s not just a matter of replacing the refrigerant. An HVAC repair technician will need to find the leaks and repair the holes in the lines which can be an expensive process.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is filled with refrigerant and absorbs the heat from the air like a sponge. Believe it or not, these coils need warm air to circulate around them to work properly. When the evaporator coil gets too cold, a layer of ice can build up on the outside, and instead of cool air coming from your AC registers, you’ll feel warm air.
Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser coils are part of your AC’s outdoor unit and get rid of the heat that was removed from the air by expelling it outside the building. This coil won’t be able to work properly if it is covered with dirt and grime. When this happens, the transfer of heat is interrupted, and your AC unit will have to work harder to do its job, which can lead to wear and tear on parts, and even complete system failure.
Fan Problems
Your AC unit has two fans: one to blow indoor air over the evaporator coil to cool the air, and another that blows over the outdoor unit’s condenser to expel heat outside the building. If either of these fans stops working, you’ll end up with poor airflow, and even eventual compressor failure if you ignore the problem.
Further Reading: AC Fan Not Working? Possible Causes and Repairs
Leaking Ducts
Ductwork runs throughout your walls and ceiling to carry cooled air from the air conditioner throughout your space. If there are holes or breaks in the ductwork, the cooled air winds up inside your walls, instead of keeping you cool and comfortable. This in turn will cause your AC to work harder, and raise your energy bills.
Thermostat Problems
If your old dial-type thermostat is incorrectly calibrated, your AC won’t receive the correct instructions from the control system. This is fairly easy to remedy by replacing or recalibrating your thermostat. If you have a new programmable thermostat, it can be slightly tricky to program and could be set incorrectly. Check the instructions to make sure the thermostat’s settings are correct or give us a call at Super Heat & Air!
Related: The Benefits of Using A Smart Thermostat
Clogged Drains
The moisture that your AC removes from the air has to go somewhere, and that’s usually through a drain line, into a pan, and finally down a drain. If the drain line gets clogged or the pan gets dull, water can back up into your system and cause damage. You might also end up with damage to your walls, ceilings, and furnishings, and even mold growth if you have leaking water.
Steps to Prevent AC Problems:
Replace dirty air filters
Inspect ducts and have any holes repaired
Install a programmable thermostat
Clear debris from around the outside unit
Schedule regular maintenance with Super Heat & Air
It’s Hot! Why Is My AC Running But Not Cooling?
Tampa Bay AC Maintenance
Call on the pros at Super Heat & Air to keep your AC unit in tip-top condition year-round! In the event of an AC emergency, we stand by our Super Fast Guarantee! Call us today to schedule an AC maintenance appointment today! (813) 279-8213
