Until recently homeowners only worried about their HVAC performance in winter. Throughout this last decade, with the constant temperature increases, AC problems have become frequent in summer as well.
Dealing with them is not easy, and may involve anything from DIY efforts to contracting professional services. The only solution homeowners have to invest in preventative AC maintenance and choose their service providers carefully, focusing not on service rates, but on reputation, license, and warranty.
Finding out as much as possible on the most common AC issues encountered in summer, their causes and their solutions may help. Especially since some issues can be identified and solved on the spot, requiring no special skills or knowledge.
Here is a list of the problems AC systems usually develop in summer and what these issues involve:
The Unit Will Not Start
Just imagine coming home from work on a hot summer day and not being able to turn on your AC. You are almost suffocating, and your home feels like a sauna. If you are lucky, the cause is just an improperly set thermostat or a tripped circuit breaker.
Thus, before calling professionals or hurrying to the nearest store, try lowering the temperature on the thermostat, resetting it and resetting the unit and the home’s circuit breaker. If these measures do not help, call in an HVAC specialist.
Your Home Is Not Cooled Properly
If your AC is running, but it provides no noticeable results, chances are something obstructs the airflow. You can start your inspection with the air filters. If they have not been cleaned or replaced in a while, chances are they are clogged by dust and debris. If they are not the problem, your next best guess is the outside unit of the AC. It may have collected debris or tree branches that may have grown in its proximity, obstructing airflow.
If the problem is not an airflow obstruction, your refrigerant lines need checking. They could be leaking, or your unit may need some more refrigerant. However, you as a homeowner need to be aware that oftentimes companies who simply recharge systems with refrigerants without finding a leak are only putting a horrible band-aide on the problem. The odds of refrigerant levels going down when there isn’t a leak in the line is extremely low.
Sometimes the leak may be small, but simply putting more refrigerants into the AC is like throwing money down the shredder since the same issue will happen in the future. Depending on the size of the leak the issue can happen again within months or years, but either way, it is still a waste. We recommend paying for a leak search and repair always before refueling the system with refrigerant.
Before you start looking for DIY tips online, remember that refrigerant issues should be left to professionals, especially if your unit runs on R-22, for which the Environmental Protection Agency is phasing out its use.
Your AC Makes Unusual Noises When Running
If you hear strange noises when the unit starts running or shuts off, these could be a sign of blower issues but if the noise is coming from the condensing unit it could be related to a refrigerant, compressor, or fan motor issues. Before you call professionals, you may want to try your luck and check the screws, as the noise could be caused by a loose screw as well. Before you begin to unscrew the unit, do not forget to turn off the electricity in your home.
Your AC Is Not Energy Efficient
Excess energy consumption is usually a sign of poor maintenance or a low-efficiency unit. If the air filters and the ducts are not cleaned regularly, the system will need to work harder to compensate for their poor performance and, thus, will use more energy. If you invest in regular maintenance, you may pay a small amount of money upfront, but you will recover much more from your energy bills and from avoiding costly AC problems.
Your AC Keeps Running Even Though Your Home Is Cool
This often happens with old, non-programmable thermostats, so maybe it is time for an upgrade. Although you can do your research and find some reliable products out there, it is better to ask for professional advice. Certified technicians will be able to recommend a compatible and reliable thermostat depending on your type of AC system, as well as install it correctly, so your investment will be worth it.
Of course, these are not the only problems affecting AC units in summer. Usually, it all depends on how well the unit in question was chosen, installed and maintained. The choice is important, especially as far as sizing is concerned. The installation matters as well because any fault can lead to future problems. Finally, maintenance is the best way to help prevent problems.
The key to enjoying a flawlessly performing AC unit throughout the years is to work with a reputable AC company. This way, even if the worst were to happen, you have someone to call, someone who will go to any extent to restore your equipment’s functionality and ensure the highest level of thermal comfort in your home.
With our experience, resources and know-how solving even the most severe AC problems become routine. Call The Cooling Company at (702) 567-0707 or make an appointment online and you will not be disappointed!
