In most cases, a malfunctioning air conditioner is generally easy to fix. How much you will pay for will depend on certain factors, particularly the cause of the problem and the HVAC company who will perform the repair.
When your air conditioner unit conks out more frequently than before, the cost of getting it fixed again and again can pile up. It is far better to make sure that maintenance is performed to minimize problems. Set a schedule for regular tune-ups, particularly before the summer months.
As a homeowner, you need to be able to identify the different types of issues that plague air conditioning units. Some issues are easy to prevent, while others occur due to natural wear-and-tear. Either way, you must understand how damage happens to air conditioners to ensure the comfort and safety of your home.
There are six prevalent causes of air conditioner breakdowns. These are:
Cracks or holes in your home AC’s refrigeration system will likely cause a refrigerant leak. If this is the cause, you will notice that your home is no longer as cool as it used to be when you turn on the AC. In some cases, you may find that all components are working properly. However, the air that comes out of the AC is warmer than it should be, even if you set the thermostat to a lower temperature. The refrigerant is responsible for absorbing the warm air in your home. If your AC is running without a refrigerant, it will fail at cooling your home.
Refrigerant leaks are not a DIY project. If you suspect this is the problem with your home air conditioning system, call a licensed HVAC technician right away. If you live in Hartford County, Connecticut, get in touch with the technicians at Tower Energy.
Over time, thermostats could become inaccurate and cause the AC to turn on and off intermittently. Ideally, the thermostat automatically turns on the AC if the temperature increases above the set temperature. Then, it turns off the air conditioner once the desired temperature is reached. In some cases, when it starts to behave erratically, it is likely that the thermostat is damaged and must be calibrated. Again, this is not an ideal DIY project for untrained individuals. Once your thermostat exhibits a problem, call a professional right away. It is likely you will need a thermostat replacement.
AC air filters are designed to catch impurities present in the air such as dust, pollen, tiny debris, and other pollutants. Over time, the filter becomes clogged, preventing air from flowing smoothly through the unit. When this happens, moisture builds up on the evaporator coils, causing the condenser unit to freeze. This will lead to inefficient cooling of your home because the air conditioner will not be able to produce enough cool air. A frozen AC can also lead to more damage and more costly problems.
Cracks, holes, and loose joints in the air ducts will result in the leakage of cooled air. This will significantly reduce the efficiency of your home cooling system, which means it may not be able to cool down the rooms effectively. Cracks and holes can also reduce the indoor air quality of your home since impurities can enter through the air ducts.
All air conditioners have two main fans – the air handler fan and the outdoor condenser fan. If one or both of these fans become damaged, the AC will fail to cool your home. Air conditioner fans can be maintained through regular cleanups and lubrication by a licensed HVAC company. This will help delay breakdowns, maintain efficiency, and minimize malfunctions.
Evaporator and condenser coils typically collect dust over time. If they are not maintained regularly, they will become covered by material thick enough to prevent your home air conditioner from functioning optimally. Coils perform an essential function. The refrigerant passes through the coils so warm air can be absorbed. If the dust that covers the coils is too thick, the refrigerant would have minimum effect on the warm air that passes through the coils. This explains why it would take a longer time for the AC to lower room temperature.
To keep your home AC in top form and prevent breakdowns, make sure that to schedule periodic checkup and maintenance by a cooling technician. HVAC technicians will check every component of the AC unit to identify problems early on. They will also clean the unit to get rid of dust and other particulates.
Depending on the condition of the fans, the HVAC technician will also apply lubrication on these components to prevent corrosion and ensure that they work well. An HVAC contractor will also recalibrate the thermostat to ensure that it is working correctly. You might also consider having your thermostat replaced with a programmable thermostat for better control.
When you notice a problem with your air conditioning unit, do not try to perform the repairs yourself. Give Tower Energy a call for fast, timely, and accurate service.
Tower Energy has been a leader in affordable and exceptional HVAC services such as heating and cooling installations, tuneups, repairs, and maintenance. Our NATE-certified technicians will perform an in-home consultation for free to identify problems and provide you with the proper solution.
If you need a professional to handle your HVAC requirements, call us at Tower Energy today.
Some of the areas we service include Burlington, Canton, Harwinton, Unionville and these zip codes 06013, 06019, 06791, 06085 as well as all surrounding areas in Hartford County, Connecticut.
Contact us now or call us at (860) 677-7347 to find out more.
