Summer is when you absolutely rely upon your air conditioner, but it’s also the season when it’s most likely to break down and cause you trouble. These are some common air conditioner problems and the proper steps to take if you encounter them:
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Refrigerant leaking: The refrigerant charge (level) is supposed to be a precise amount for your particular A/C system, and any more or less will degrade cooling performance and possibly even lead to equipment malfunctioning and breakdowns. During preseason maintenance, a technician should check the refrigerant level, adjust it, and if it’s low, inspect the system to make sure it’s not leaking.
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Poor air circulation or cooling: A/Cs commonly underperform when parts gets covered with dust or dirt. Part of your maintenance every year should be to clean A/C coils. The cooling system’s air filter should be inspected monthly and changed or cleaned when it gets dirty. Not only will the performance of your A/C suffer when filters and coils are dirty; this can lead to higher energy bills and future breakdowns.
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Poor drainage: If you suddenly notice that your condensate drain isn’t releasing water as it normally does, give it a quick inspection. Drains often get clogged, which can cause water damage and add unwanted humidity to the air. The drain can be easily cleaned if a blockage is found.
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Controls not functioning: In order for your A/C to operate, the controls to turn your fan and compressor on must be in good working order. Sometimes the controls can wear out and stop working if they are used too often. This is a common problem if your A/C is oversized or there is damage to wires and terminals in your unit. Part of the benefit of a regular service visit is that a technician will inspect these for issues.
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Unit turning on randomly: If your room A/C is turning on when it shouldn’t, it’s likely that the thermostat sensor has been nudged out of position. Find the sensor near the coil and readjust it so that it’s close to the coil, but not touching.
If you need help dealing with any of these common air conditioner problems or other HVAC issues in your Fresno area home, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about common air conditioner problems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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