How You Can Prevent Frequently Encountered Air Conditioning Problems

Summer is just around the corner and in this tough economy the last thing you need is an unexpected air conditioning repair. While all mechanical systems need fixing from time to time, many repairs are preventable.

Here are the most frequent problems you may encounter and what you can do to avert them.

1. Tripped Breaker

A tripped breaker is one of the most common causes of no-cooling calls. Reset it before calling a service technician. It shouldn’t happen again but if it does, call a service technician. Something is causing the breaker to trip. It could be something simple like a bad breaker, loose wire, or a bad capacitor. However, if not dealt with, it could lead to a more costly repair.

2. Dirty Filter

A disposable filter should be replaced at least once a month. When something is out of sight it’s usually out of mind as well, so it’s easy to forget to change it. Dirty filters lower indoor air quality, restrict airflow, make the home less comfortable, and may even result in frozen indoor coils.

3. Refrigerant Leaks

An air conditioning system is a sealed system and should never leak refrigerant. Having a refrigerant leak is never a good thing. The efficiency of your air conditioner declines and you end up using more electricity. Your air conditioner may not cool. The coil could freeze. The compressor may become damaged. If you suspect that your air conditioning system might be leaking refrigerant, contact your service technician. Often enough the problem is a simple one and can easily be repaired.

4. Thermostat Problems

Some thermostats must be switched between heating mode and cooling mode. If the switch is in the wrong position or breaks, your air conditioner won’t start.

5. Switch Turned Off

Some heating and air conditioning systems have a wall switch at the indoor unit. This can sometimes be confused with a light switch. If this is accidentally switched off or left off during mild weather, your air conditioner will not start. Always make sure the switch is turned on before calling a service technician

 6. Contactor

A contactor is an electromechanical switch in your air conditioner. Occasionally the silver coating on a contactor will wear off and the contactor will stick. This can cause the outside unit to run continuously, and that can end up being expensive. In some cases, ants are attracted to the electricity and can get squished between the contactors, blocking them from closing. If this happens, the outside unit won’t run. Contactors can also fail electrically. These should be checked part of a Spring tune-up. The surface of the contactors should be cleaned if needed.  If failure of the contactor appears imminent, your technician might recommend a replacement.

7. Clogged Drain Line

Air conditioners pull moisture out of humid air while lowering the temperature. The moisture is commonly drained out of your home through your plumbing system. A back up drain pan should be on hand with a secondary condensate drain. Algae can sometimes grow in these lines, thus clogging them up. This can possibly lead to water damage in your home. The drain lines should be cleared as part of your Spring air conditioning tune-up.

8. Dirty Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is found inside your house. Liquid refrigerant is sprayed into the coil to evaporate and draw heat from the air being blown across the coil. Every once in a while the coil needs to be cleaned. If not, dust and dirt build up will block the coil’s heat transfer capabilities and decrease system air flow down the duct system. Dirty coils increase operating costs while at the same time reduce your home comfort.

9. Dirty Condenser Coil

The condenser coil is found outside your house. The compressor pulls hot refrigerant gas from the evaporator and pumps it through the outdoor coil where it concentrates into a liquid as the condensing unit fan pulls air across the coil. A dirty or blocked coil is will increase electricity usage and reduce system cooling capacity. The condenser coil should be washed, cleaned, and combed (if needed) as part of your Spring tune-up.

10. Duct Leaks

Your heating and air conditioning system adds and extracts heat to the duct system. The duct system is given the job of delivering it to the occupied rooms in  your home. Duct leaks are one of the main causes of inefficient air conditioning operation and home comfort problems. Leaks can range from duct penetration to split seams to disconnected ducts. Repairing an  individual leak is not expensive. It’s the leak itseld that is expensive.