Woman feeling hot andtrying to refresh in summertime heat When faced with an air conditioner that isn’t working properly, many homeowners wonder the same thing: How did this happen? Although an AC is a complex piece of equipment that’ll run into problems eventually, there are some things you can do to help reduce the need for repairs.
The easiest thing to do is to schedule air conditioning maintenance on a regular basis. It’s a fact that 70-80% of the air conditioners we repair haven’t received this essential service. Let’s look at some other things you can do to help maintain your AC and some common AC issues and what’s behind them.
Homeowner Maintenance Tasks
The most important task you can complete as a homeowner is to change the air filter regularly. The air filter plays a vital role in how well your AC functions. It keeps dirt and dust from getting inside your AC’s internal parts.
When the filter becomes clogged with dirt, it reduces your AC’s airflow which interferes with its performance. It also causes unnecessary wear and tear to the system as the AC has to work harder to perform.
It’s vital to replace your air filter every 1-3 months during the cooling season. If you’re not sure how often you should change it, check it every month and if it’s visibly dirty and clogged, it needs to be replaced.
Problems That Arise from a Lack of Maintenance
Let’s look at some potential problems you could face when your AC doesn’t receive regular tune-ups.
- Lukewarm air: A lack of cold air coming from the vents means it takes longer for your AC to cool down your home, if it’s able to at all. This can be caused by a refrigerant leak or a thermostat issue and these are both things that a technician checks during maintenance.
- Ice on the condenser: This is another issue that can stem from a refrigerant leak. A dirty air filter could also be to blame. If it’s happening, check the air filter and replace it if it’s dirty and see if that remedies the problem. If not, you’ll need to call us to check it.
- No air coming from the vents: The blower fan is responsible for blowing the cooled air into the rooms of your home. During a tune-up, this is one of the mechanical parts that a technician will check. If it’s malfunctioning, it’ll need to be replaced.
- Short cycling: This is apparent when the AC turns on, runs for 5-10 minutes, then shuts off. It keeps doing this in a vicious cycle and your home never reaches the temperature on the thermostat. The problem could be a clogged air filter, low refrigerant, or frozen evaporator coils, all things that a technician should check during maintenance.
Get Repairs Fixed Right Away
Having AC problems addressed right away is important so that these minor issues don’t become major problems. Letting them go unchecked could result in a complete breakdown in service which no homeowner wants to deal with.
Fast-Friendly-Reliable: Contact Walsh Brothers Plumbing and Mechanical Services, Inc. to learn more about AC installation options and services in Aston, PA.