AC repairs can take you by surprise, but there are often signs to watch out for before your system completely breaks down. Today, we want to help you learn about the most common air conditioning problems we see, along with the signs you can look out for before you encounter serious trouble.
Air conditioning troubles can lead to high bills, water damage to the home, and a shutdown of your system. When you spot the signs of trouble, call a central AC repair specialist as soon as possible! Contact our team today.
Water Leaking
This is something that concerns homeowners the most, and for good reason. Water can leak from an air conditioner and cause damage to the surrounding area, which sometimes means dripping down into a closet or cabinet.
The water comes from the air in your home. Humidity condenses on a coil as air moves through the AC system. While it’s meant to drain outside of the home, a clogged drain could cause the water to move to your home instead.
Signs to look out for:
- Water spots in the wall or ceiling
- A freezing and thawing indoor coil
A Loss of Refrigerant
Refrigerant, which you may know as Freon, is not something that is meant to vacate your AC system. It is not a fuel source that your air conditioner can “use up.” So when your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, something is wrong.
Low levels of refrigerant usually require a technician to seal a leak, along with adding refrigerant to the system. This should be done ASAP, as lacking refrigerant leads to discomfort, high bills, frozen coils, or even compressor damage.
Signs to look out for:
- High temperatures
- High bills
- Short-cycling
Electrical Troubles
Electrical issues range drastically from minor to severe. When an air conditioner breaks down completely, it could just mean you need a new capacitor, a low-cost component. However, something that seems like a small problem, like a short-cycling air conditioner, could indicate a broken compressor.
Technicians have the tools to measure voltage, check connections, and inspect all electrical components during a routine maintenance session. However, look out for potential signs throughout the year.
Signs to look out for:
- Short-cycling, starting on and shutting off over and over in short cycles
- Hard starting, wherein the air conditioner struggles to start up properly in the first place
- A broken-down system (but check the circuit breaker first!)
Frozen or Dirty Coils
A frozen air conditioner is not something that should be expected. Although you might not be surprised by a frozen AC unit, you should be: this means that something has gone wrong. It could be anything from a dirty filter to a broken motor.
Do not try to defrost the coil on your own. If it happens once, it will happen again, so you must reach out to a technician after spotting any of these signs.
Signs to look out for:
- An indoor coil that is frosted over (if you know how to access the indoor portion of your AC system)
- Water leaking into the home.
- Air is not as cool as expected
For central AC repair in Cutler Bay, FL, contact the friendly team at Air On Demand.