The summer is a wonderful time to go swimming, have a cookout, and visit the beach. Unfortunately, the summer can also become unbearably warm.
Luckily, your air conditioner can give you relief when you're inside. But what would you do if it stopped working?
If you are experiencing AC issues, then it could be one of many reasons. Knowing how to identify the most common air conditioner problems and solutions will be your first step in returning to a comfortable summer.
If you have a central air system, then you will have an air compressor unit outside the home. It's important to have this unit placed in an area without plants against it.
Plants can become overgrown and start blocking the airflow for the air compressor. This will cause your HVAC to work harder than needed.
Proper landscaping can prevent issues from arising and improve the quality of your AC unit.
If you have a window AC, it's common to hear it makes noises. The motor and fan are usually the loudest components.
However, if the window unit starts to shake or vibrate, then you need to examine the AC.
An air conditioner should never shake or vibrate. There's a good chance it was installed incorrectly. Go over the instructions and start from the beginning. If the movement continues, call a professional HVAC technician to help solve the problem.
The internal temperature of a house may be too warm. Pull your shades and curtains to block the sun from coming in while you run your air conditioner.
Momentarily, you should start to feel a huge difference in the cooling of your home or apartment. By having the direct sunlight coming into your home, the AC is forced to work harder without efficient cooling.
You don't need to keep your shades pulled all day — just long enough to get the house to a temperature you enjoy.
Modern central air systems and window air conditioners usually have smart technology on the display. This lets you have automatic controls that will turn on or off when certain temperatures are reached.
Double-check your thermostat to see if it's in the right settings. You may have set your automatic temperature too high. If the air conditioner doesn't turn on when you lower the temperature, you may have an internal problem.
Some AC units have a fan mode that blows air instead of cold air. Read the manual to ensure your AC is on and not the fan.
A central air system will utilize strategically placed vents to cool the house or apartment. Clean these vents regularly of built-up dust and debris.
Additionally, don't block these vents with furniture. Configure your bedroom and living rooms in a way that allows easy airflow.
If you've noticed some rooms or floors don't get good cool air, then you might have to consider another AC unit. The farther the air has to travel in a vent, the warmer it'll be by the time it reaches the correct vent.
Have you inspected your HVAC unit outside and noticed a lot of ice forming on the evaporator coil? It's a funny thing to see in the summer, but it means you have a problem.
The evaporator coils need warm air to work well. When the coil starts to freeze, it means you have an obstruction of airflow or mechanical issue.
Frozen coils will cause your AC to push out warm air or nothing at all. Contact a skilled and trusted technician to help you.
The entire process of making your house comfortable in the summer depends on the refrigerant in your AC. It is what makes the air cooler and less humid.
The refrigerant in your AC should last the lifetime of the AC (about 12 to 15 years). If your unit is only a few years old, then a leak may have developed somewhere in the lines.
Finding a leak of the coolant can take time and be expensive to fix, especially if there are multiple leaks. It's not recommended to try and fix this yourself. An HVAC tech will ensure your leaks are repaired, and no further damage will happen.
The filters for your window AC and HVAC need to be changed once a month. The build-up of dust, pollen, and debris will keep the cool air from coming into the house.
Dirty filters can also cause the coils to freeze outside. Filters are relatively inexpensive and available at most big-box retailers.
It's vastly more important to change filters on a window AC. If you forget, mold can develop and blow into your home. Avoid the medical issues of getting mold in your lungs by changing the filters.
Central air systems can go without filters for about one day if you really need the cool air. Don't wait any longer, or dust will get into the internal mechanical systems of your HVAC, which can cause permanent damage.
HVAC units need to be inspected and checked once a year, just like people should get annual check-ups.
A reputable HVAC technician will come out and inspect the unit. If you are having issues, this is the time to let them know. They will look at all lines and mechanical parts to ensure efficiency.
Spend a little bit of money now to save a lot of money in the long run.
As you approach the 10-year mark for your HVAC, it's time to start thinking about investing in a new central air unit.
Make sure you spend your summer days having as much fun as possible. On sweltering days, don't let air conditioner problems stop the fun.
Being able to diagnosis what's wrong with your air conditioner will make the fix and repair process easier for everyone. Dedicate this summer to comfort and ease.
If you need help with your AC, then contact us to return to cooler temperatures.
