Phoenix summers are notorious for
being dangerously hot, and besides a pool, the most important thing residents
in the Valley of the Sun need is a working air conditioner.
Even if you keep your air
conditioning unit well maintained throughout the year with check ups and
regular maintenance, it’s especially important to keep an eye on it in the
summer. During these scorching months, your air units work extra hard to keep
your home cool and comfortable and the extra work can take its toll quickly.
We’re here to point out some of the
most common problems air conditioners have and the reasons they break down each
summer. Keeping an eye out for these problems can help you recognize the need
for a quick fix before an easy repair becomes a big disaster.
Warm Air
There’s nothing we want and expect
more when we turn our AC units on than cold air, but if you find that the air
is warm, there could be a number of things wrong. Check your thermostat and
make sure it’s programmed properly. If it is, the condenser coils could be
covered with dirt and debris which will prevent the air from cooling before
it’s distributed into your home.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
Aside from dirt and dust, your coils
can also freeze up, which is something you don’t want to see. This means that
cold air is being produced, but it’s stuck inside the air handler and isn’t
getting pushed through the air ducts. Not only will this prevent your home from
staying cool, but blocked airflow can cause damage to the working parts of your
air conditioning system.
Sensor Issues
The
sensor is a really important part of your air unit. It measures the temperature
of the air coming into the evaporative coil, which determines when and how long
the AC will blow the air until your desired temperature is reached. If the
sensor breaks or gets knocked out of position, the air conditioner can act up,
thus resulting in damage or unexpected energy usage. If you find you need to
adjust the sensor, move it by bending the wire that holds in place just a
little bit. It should be near the coil but not touching it.
Refrigerant Leaks
Low refrigerant levels mean one of
two things: that it leaks or it wasn’t filled up all the way at installation.
If you do have a leak, simply adding more refrigerant to your system won’t do
any good. Since the efficiency of air conditioners depends on the refrigerant charge
matching the manufacturer’s directions exactly, it’s important that you get a professional
to come to your home to fix the leak or fill it up. Plus, these leaks can be
harmful to the environment, so if this happens, fix it right away!
AC Not Working
This could be the most common and
most irritating of the common problems your air conditioner can suffer from in
the summer. If your air simple won’t turn on, first check the circuit breaker
to make sure it’s not a simple fix you can do on your own. If everything looks
okay, you might have an electrical problem, in which you’ll nee a professional’s
help.
These are just some of the common air conditioning problems we’ve grown
accustomed to seeing in the summer. If you feel that there’s anything wrong
with your cooling system, contact us and we’ll be out to help your home return
to a cool and comfortable oasis in the middle of the desert summer.
