With the summer months in full swing, it’s important that your air conditioner runs at maximum efficiency. From time to time, unfortunately, you may experience one or two common A/C problems that can threaten your comfort level. Here are a few of these common issues to watch out for:
- Infrequent maintenance – To keep your A/C system running properly, there are two main maintenance steps you should take. First, change the air filter whenever it’s dirty, which generally is monthly during the summer. Second, schedule a trusted HVAC technician to perform a tune-up at least once a year.
- Electric failure – Electrical connections and contacts can be a problem due to corrosion. It’s also somewhat common for the system’s compressor or fan controls to wear out, especially if the system is oversized.
- Low refrigerant level – If your A/C is low on refrigerant, there are two possibilities. First, the system may have been undercharged when it was installed. The second possibility is that refrigerant is leaking. Leaking or low refrigerant in the short term can reduce system efficiency, and in the long run, result in serious malfunctions and breakdowns. It’s also an environmental and safety hazard if refrigerant is leaking.
- Sensor problems – In a room or portable air conditioner, a thermostat sensor that has become dislodged will stop your A/C from operating properly. The unit may kick on sporadically or run constantly. You can adjust the position yourself by bending the wire so that it’s near the coil but not touching it.
- Drainage issues – Your condensate drain could become clogged and stop draining properly if it’s humid outside. To ensure proper drainage, the indoor A/C air handler must be mounted in a level position.
As you can see, most of the common A/C problems that you may experience are not something you can fix on your own. If you believe that any of the above issues are occurring, it’s best to call a technician right away to keep the problem from getting worse. And again, regular maintenance usually will catch these problems before they get worse.
For more expert advice on common A/C problems, or if you have any other concerns about home comfort, please contact the professionals at Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve been servicing McKinney, Frisco, Allen and the surrounding communities for more than 30 years.
