Top AC Problems & How To Avoid Them
As spring begins and the typical Florida warm weather begins to set in again, Florida homeowners will want to know that their air conditioning is going to keep them cool and comfortable throughout the forthcoming hottest seasons of the year. After all, nobody wants to wake up in the middle of the night laying in a pool of their sweat because their AC system broke down. Learn about some of the most common air conditioning problems, and how to avoid them, with the following tips from our AC company.
Contact LIBERTYAIR Air Conditioning & Heating today to schedule AC repair or learn more about our other HVAC services!
Fan Malfunctions
AC systems have two fans: one that blows indoor air over the unit’s evaporator coils to produce a cool breeze, and another that blows warm air out of the house over the outdoor unit’s condenser coil. Should either of these fans malfunction, whether because of a worn belt, faulty motor, lack of lubrication, etc., it will result in insufficient airflow. Typically, if your AC is running but not blowing air, a malfunctioning fan is the problem. To avoid fan malfunctions, be sure to have your AC system routinely serviced by one of our skilled technicians!
Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser coils are located in your AC system’s outdoor unit, and these coils are responsible for expelling hot air pulled from the inside of your home. Because these components sit outside, they’re prone to becoming covered in dirt, grime, foliage, and other outdoor debris. When condenser coils become covered in a thick layer of dirt, it’s hard for them to expel warm air effectively. To ensure your condenser coils can continue to perform their job, clear away any brush or foliage surrounding your outdoor unit and be sure to perform routine HVAC maintenance.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
The AC system’s evaporator coil is filled with refrigerant and helps keep homeowners cool by pulling hot air from a home’s interior, absorbing the heat like a sponge. The outdoor unit’s condenser coils then expel that absorbed heat. For this process to work, warm air needs to be consistently circulated throughout the system. Without warm air circulating to cool the evaporator coils down, they become too cold and effectively freeze over, encased in a sheet of ice. If you ever notice warm air coming from your vents despite having the thermostat set to cooling mode, frozen evaporator coils could very well be the problem. To avoid suffering from frozen coils, be sure to replace your air filter the moment it becomes visibly dirty. Dirty air filters impede airflow, stifling the necessary circulation of warm air. With a variety of home air purifiers available, it’s easy to find the right one for your needs.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Now that we understand how evaporator coils work, let’s talk about the importance of refrigerant. Without refrigerant, an AC system’s evaporator coils wouldn’t be able to absorb and remove heat from the inside of a home. Suppose your air conditioner is blowing warm air, and your evaporator coils don’t appear to be frozen over. In that case, your system may be suffering from refrigerant levels that are too low to cool the air effectively. Unfortunately, low refrigerant levels can be a sign that a leak has developed in the refrigerant line. Refrigerant leaks are serious problems and require the immediate attention of a skilled HVAC technician.
The best way to avoid low refrigerant levels or any other common air conditioning issue is by scheduling regular AC maintenance. Here at LIBERTYAIR Air Conditioning & Heating, we make it easy for homeowners to ensure their AC systems receive the routine service they require by offering planned maintenance! During a scheduled maintenance visit, our specialists will perform a thorough inspection of your AC system, replace air filters, clean dirty condenser coils, check refrigerant levels, and so much more. Contact us today to learn more about planned maintenance and schedule your first tune-up!