Five Most Common Air Conditioner Repair Needs
In the high heat of summer, we rely heavily on the comfort of a cool breeze blown from an air conditioner. Repair is required as soon as anything goes wrong because the last thing you want to do in the middle of July is bake or melt in a sweltering house or office building!
Before you face the blistering doom of a faulty cooling
system, take some time to educate yourself on the five most common problems associated
with AC systems:
1. Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant, better known as Freon, is essential in your AC
unit's cooling process. Freon is a chemical that chills the air. The cooled air
is then circulated throughout the home. In short, if the refrigerant is low,
your home won't be cool.
Most often, when your refrigerant is low it's because Freon
is leaking somewhere within the system. Adding new liquid may solve the problem
for a little while, but it will eventually become low again. It's best to
locate the leak and repair it right away.
2. Outside Fan Is Broken
The outside fan is responsible for blowing the heat out of
your home. If the fan isn't operating properly, immediate air conditioner
repair is needed. Stagnant hot air will cause the compressor to overheat and
could cause permanent damage to the unit.
Typically, a safety overload will trip the machine off when
it gets too hot inside. However, plenty of damage can be done before the safety
overload kicks into gear. If you notice that the outside fan isn't running or
that your system just isn't operating properly, it's a good idea to turn off
the AC and call a repairman.
3. Outside Unit Isn't Working
When the outside unit isn't functioning, prepare for a major
air conditioner repair. The system may not be getting enough power. It can be a
simple connection problem within the unit. At best, your thermostat isn't
working properly. The thermostat may simply need a new battery, or it may need
to be replaced entirely.
4. Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring is probably one of the most dangerous
possibilities. Whether the AC unit was installed by an inexperienced technician
with no certification or was just installed haphazardly, faulty wiring can be a
potential fire hazard. The system won't be getting the power it needs to run
properly or it will constantly trip the circuit breaker.
5. Frozen Inside Coil
If the coil inside the unit is frozen, the solution may be
as simple as replacing a dirty filter or you may need to have your ducts
cleaned. At some point, the flow is being restricted, causing the coil to
become too cold. Your air conditioner repair expert will help you determine
what needs to be done.
The best option for avoiding any of these problems is to
establish a maintenance plan. It's best to get your AC system checked during
the spring, before the hot weather hits. Your air conditioner repair specialist
can evaluate your AC unit and diagnose any issues. He'll be able to catch most
minor problems before they become major catastrophes during the hot summer
months.
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