With the start of a new cooling season, that means increased use of your air conditioner. Likewise, that means another year of service for your AC. We don’t mean to be pessimistic, but another year means another chance for repair problems to develop.
Below, we’ll go over some common AC repair problems to be on the lookout for. Allowing these problems to go on without resolution can lower your efficiency or even lead to worse issues down the line, so don’t hesitate to contact an air conditioning repair expert in Beaverton, OR if you notice them in your own system.
1. Dirty Air Filter
This one is so simple, it’s not surprising that people forget about it. No one should have to endure the frustration of breaking their AC due to something as simple as the air filter, so please be sure to check it once a month. The air filter’s job is to protect the AC from dirt and dust. The filter blocks any of these contaminants from entering the system, thus protecting the coils and sensitive components from collecting dirt. When full, the filter will no longer be able to transfer clean air.
2. Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the blood of your AC, continually pumping through your system and transferring hot and cold air. And like blood, you’re not supposed to replace it or lose any. Under ideal conditions, your AC will use the same charge of refrigerant for years and years. That’s why a refrigerant leak is so harmful to your system. Pinhole leaks can drain the refrigerant over time, offsetting the balance and forcing your AC to work with less refrigerant.
3. Frozen Evaporator Coils
Your evaporator coils are found in your indoor unit. They’re responsible for lowering the temperature of the refrigerant that runs through your AC. So, naturally, a frosty and icy evaporator coil is a good sign, right? Nope. All that ice will only block the precious cold air from dispersing throughout your home. Frozen evaporator coils can be the result of refrigerant leaks, so don’t hesitate to call and find out.
4. Dirty Condenser Coils
As for the outdoor unit, you have the condenser coils. Simply put, its job is the opposite of the evaporator coil’s, releasing the heat that it gathers from your home. But what if this coil is covered in dirt? The heat won’t be able to properly disperse, keeping the heat trapped inside. If the coil acts in this way for too long, to will lead to an early AC breakdown. It’s not so uncommon for outdoor units to collect more dirt and dust than the indoor unit, so be sure to have it inspected.
5. Broken Blowers
Your unit has two blowers, one for the outdoor unit and one for the indoor unit. They both perform a similar function: blowing away the air that collects at the coils. The outdoor unit blows hot air outside to prevent overheating. Your indoor fan blows cool air into your home. When either of these fans breaks, the air around those coils will cause overheating or freezing.
Contact The Clean Air Act today and ask for Sydni, our Office Extraordinaire, to schedule your next appointment! We will take care of you from there!