Picture this: it’s the middle of summer, and your air conditioner just stopped working. Chances are you’re already cranky, sweaty, and looking for help. The first question on your mind is: “Is it a simple or costly repair?” Prior to calling a professional you should become familiar with the issue to ensure you're able to accurately describe it prior to the appointment. To help you get to the source of this stressful situation, we have created a list of the top 5 air conditioner problems in houses.
Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant is the chemical used in your air conditioner that travels through the evaporator and condenser coils to remove heat from your home. When there is an insufficient amount of refrigerant, your unit will not be able to properly remove the heat and cool down your house. You may believe this air conditioner problem can be resolved by adding more refrigerant to the system.
While it may be easy to purchase refrigerant if you are low, it's important to repair the cracks and holes in your refrigerant lines prior to performing a refrigerant refill to ensure the issue doesn't happen again. An HVAC technician will need to inspect the air conditioner for leaks and repair accordingly. Are you having issues with your air conditioner? Contact an HVAC contractor at Stephens Plumbing to receive affordable air conditioner maintenance or replacement services.
Dirty or Frozen Coils
Your system has two sets of coils: evaporator and condenser coils. The evaporator coil acts as a sponge to absorb the heat indoors. If the temperature and humidity levels are too high in your house, it may be due to frozen evaporator coils. This AC problem is caused by an issue with the air circulating around the evaporator coil. The result of this problem is either no air or warm air coming from the unit.
The condenser coil is part of the outdoor unit and takes the absorbed heat and pushes it outside of the home. The most common problem with this coil is a buildup of dirt. As the layer of dirt or debris builds up, it becomes increasingly harder to transfer heat. The unit’s efficiency decreases, and it makes the air blown out of the unit warm instead of cool.
Already recognize the problem with your AC unit? Call Stephens today!
Malfunctioning Fan
Dirt and debris can also build up on the outdoor fan. Common air conditioner problems such as a layer of dirt, a defective motor, or a worm out belt may cause issues with the fan. This will negatively impact the heat transfer process in your house. This will result in warm air, overheating, or even damage to the compressor.
The Dreaded Compressor
Speaking of the compressor… this is the one part of the unit you don’t want to break. It is the most important part of the unit, and it is also the most costly. The compressor initiates the cooling cycle, and if it malfunctions or goes bad, the air conditioning will not cool. It is at this point that you may want to look at the pros and cons of repairing versus replacing the unit.
Thermostat Issues
While a majority of AC problems can be attributed to the outdoor system, there are a variety of issues that may be caused by a malfunctioning thermostat. If the thermostat is defective, damaged, or broken, it may cause the air to not come on at all. It is important to check the settings on the thermostat, as well. If it is set to “on,” you may want to think about turning it to “auto.” In the “on” setting, your air conditioner will run constantly and blow air even when not cooling. In the “auto” setting, your air conditioner will only turn on when needing to cool to the desired temperature. If you are having issues with your thermostat, contact an HVAC contractor at Stephens Plumbing.
Air Conditioning Repair Services in Downers Grove, IL & Other Areas
If you are having problems with your air conditioning system, give our team a call by phone at (630) 968-0783 or book an appointment online. Stephens Plumbing provides dependable HVAC services to homes in areas such as Wheaton, Aurora, Naperville, and Plainfield.