The weather in Florida is such that one cannot live without the air conditioner. When a machine runs for so long, it suffers tremendous wear and tears. As a result, the need for repairs arises from time to time. To keep the cost of repairs low, all homeowners must ensure timely upkeep and maintenance of their units. Despite tune-up, some AC problems still crop up, but these are usually nothing major and can be handled with relative ease.
Common Air Conditioning Repairs
Here are some extremely common problems that you may face with the air conditioner in your home, and it is always good to know how to handle them.
1. Clogged Air Filters – Air filters of the HVAC system trap the impurities floating in the air to make it clean and pure. Over time, the deposits become heavy and clog the filters. When that happens, it seems as if the cooling in your home is always lacking and not up to the par. If ignored, it can lead to overheating of the unit and its subsequent shutting down.
Repair Option – When the air filters become very dirty, the only feasible option is to replace them with new ones. Ideally, one should not wait for them t become completely clogged before replacing them. A more desirable routine is to change them every month to ensure the efficiency of the AC.
2. Thermostat Display Off – The thermostat controls the temperature settings and, in turn, the running of the AC. Sometimes its display goes blank. Mostly it happens because the batteries in the thermostat die out and kill the display. In some other cases, the culprit could be a loose wire connection.
Repair Option – In the case of dead batteries, switching them out with new ones will bring back the display on the thermostat. If that does not work, call the HVAC technician because there is a slight probability that there is a loose wire connection which he can take care of.
3. Low Refrigerant Level – In an air conditioner, cooling happens due to the refrigerant or the coolant that flows through the evaporator coils. With age and constant use, the refrigerant line develops holes or cracks from which it flows out. When that happens, the cooling efficiency of the AC declines.
Repair Option – Before the refrigerant can be topped up to the requisite level, all leaks in the refrigerant line need to be fixed. Only a trained HVAC technician can do both the jobs suitably. So, when the AC is running low on refrigerant, always call your local HVAC technician to carry out the repairs.
4. Blocked Condensate Line – The drain line or the condensate line dispels all the moisture extracted from the air to the outside of the house. Sometimes due to accumulated dust and other debris, the drain line gets clogged. As a result, the water starts dripping indoors or forms wet spots on the walls. Any dampness inside the house is a cause for concern as it can lead to potential mold growth.
Repair Option – If you are reasonably competent in small scale DIY projects, cleaning the condensate line can be done by the homeowner. All you need is a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and some rags. Expose the drain line by opening the front panel. Soak up the collected water in the drip tray with rags. Finally, use the vacuum cleaner to suck out the stuck blockage. Once done, replace the panel, and the repair work is done. You are now all set to enjoy the coolness of your home without worrying about any kind of water damage.
5. Bad Capacitor – The work of the AC capacitor is to charge and initiate the AC motor. When the capacitor goes bad, the system may not cycle on and off as before. Sometimes it may not start altogether or may develop the problem of “hard starting”. These situations are undesirable as they either add to the power bills or spoil your comfort level at home.
Repair Option – When the capacitor becomes faulty, replacing it is the only option. Again this is a job for the HVAC technician as it involves working with electrical connections.
6. Frozen Coils – Freezing of the evaporator coils is a common problem. Usually, it happens when there is restricted airflow, and the coils become too cold. At such times the moisture extracted from the warm air freezes and becomes ice. The ice build-up increases continuously and becomes noticeable. The result of the ice build-up is that the supply registers start blowing either warm air or none at all.
Repair Option – One way to take care of the frozen evaporator coils is to switch off the AC and let it thaw on its own. The other method is to switch off the cooling, but keep the fan running so that the warm air melts the ice. If the condition does not persist, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Nonetheless, suppose ice formation happens again. In that case, you should call the AC technician to figure out the cause and carry out repairs.
7. Tripped Breaker – The breaker to the air conditioner may trip due to a short circuit or a power surge. Normally, we don’t pay attention to the circuit breaker, instead, assume that something is wrong with the AC. in this case, it may or may not be an AC problem.
Repair Option – If the circuit breaker trips due to a power surge, pushing it back to the on position will get the air conditioner working normally. On the other hand, if the trip happens due to a short circuit, it is best to call the technician, as the short circuit’s source and cause need to be identified first. Once the problem is known, the technician will conduct suitable repairs to correct the anomaly.
8. Fan Troubles – There are two fans in the air conditioner. One fan blows the indoor air over the evaporator coils. In contrast, the other blows air over the condenser coils to banish the absorbed heat. Sometimes these fans slow down or stop working completely due to lack of lubrication, faulty motor, or accumulation of dust and other materials. It results in poor airflow, which, in turn, causes overheating of the unit and sometimes even compressor failure.
Repair Option – Routine maintenance of the AC is the best repair option in this case. During the maintenance, both the fans are thoroughly inspected. If any shortcomings are found, they are addressed there and then.
In The End
Routine maintenance of the AC is the surest way to ensure that the cooling system works without any trouble, even on the hottest days. Despite that, there will be some times when it starts giving indications of trouble. That is the time when air conditioning repairs become essential, At first sight of these indicators, call the HVAC technician. The life and performance of your home’s cooling system depend upon it.
Residents of West Palm Beach need not look further than Aztil Air Conditioning for air conditioning repairs. We take care of everything from installation and repairs to maintenance. To book an appointment, call +1-888-729-8452.
