The Five Leading Reasons of Air Conditioner Failure

When living in a hot climate, having an air conditioning unit is an absolute must. Being without circulating air can be very uncomfortable.

While most people do have a unit, it can sometimes break down. Without it, you can get uncomfortable, sweaty, and just downright miserable.

If your unit is old, broken, or simply needs repair, you can call a professional HVAC service to have it inspected, repaired, or replaced.

However, sometimes you can tell what the problems are yourself. Take charge of your air and read more about the five leading reasons of air conditioner failure.

Problems with the Coils

There are a couple of different kinds of coils in an air conditioner unit. These are called the evaporator and condenser coils.

The evaporator coil can become frozen from the refrigerant it is filled with. This usually happens when the airflow around the coil is really cold instead of warm so then ice builds up.

To remedy this, be sure to replace the air filters when they get dirty. Clogged air filters keep the air from flowing properly. Replacing the air filters can also help improve the quality of the air in your home.

A common problem concerning the condenser coils is that they can get very dirty. Since these coils are part of the outdoor unit, they can get covered in dirt very easily.

The easiest way to effectively rid you of this problem is to keep debris and plants away from the outdoor unit. This helps to keep the coils from becoming dirty and helps to keep the unit expelling heat.

Set Your Thermostat Properly

turn-down-thermostat2Sometimes, the problem with your air conditioner can be as simple as the thermostat. This problem tends to differ depending on what kind of thermostat is installed in your home.

If you have an older model with a dial, then chances are it is not calibrated properly. This causes a problem because your unit doesn’t get the right instructions it needs when you use the thermostat.

If you have a newer model, it is best to read the instructions thoroughly while programming it, otherwise it can be set incorrectly.

The Drain Could Be Clogged

Ever wonder where all the moisture from the air goes after your unit has removed it? There is a line that drains it into a pan so the moisture will fully drain out the unit.

If you do not keep this drain clean, the water will be unable to drain properly.It will then stay in the system and damage it. The worst case scenario for this problem is that the water will leak back into your home and cause water damage.

Leaking Air?

When an air conditioning unit is installed, ductwork is run all throughout the house, usually in the walls or ceilings. It can also be run underneath the house if the house has floor vents.

When installed properly, the ductwork transfers the air from the unit all throughout your house. However, rats and mice can put holes in the work, which will then cause your precious air to leak.

This will then cause your energy bills to skyrocket, even though it feels like you aren’t using much air or heat.

The Case of the Low Refrigerant

In addition to these air conditioner failures, there is also the case that your refrigerant may be low. This liquid is essentially what makes your unit run; it takes the heat and humidity out of the air, leaving only the cool air behind.

Sometimes, the unit will develop a leak, which means that you will not have enough of the refrigerant to cool your home or business.

What’s worse is that you can’t just replace the liquid and call it a day. Instead, you will need to call your repairman out and have them inspect the system.

They will have to fix the leaks and replace the refrigerant. Then, and only then, will you be able to have the proper amount of cool air in your home again.

Reasons your AC Unit may fail.

How to Prevent the Issues from Occurring

Fortunately, these five leading reasons for air conditioner failure can be prevented by doing several different things.

The most important thing to do is to make sure you don’t neglect maintenance calls. This is where you have someone from an air conditioning service come out regularly in order to inspect your system.

They will also tune your system if needed. This will help to keep the system working smoothly, even in the height of summer. Be sure to check out Enhanced Heating & Air Conditioning for all of your Newark and Wilmington AC repair needs.

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