Typically, most air conditioning unit failures happen in the
summer months; this is because the unit is working hard to keep your home cool
all summer long. Like any piece of equipment, air conditioners will need
repairs at some point during their life and when they do, it’s usually because
of common problems.
Common AC Repairs
The most common cause for an AC to break down is a lack of
yearly maintenance. These once a year appointments can do so many great things
for your unit such as prolonging their life span by remedying any potential
issues. Here are five of the most common problems that can cause your air
conditioner to need repairs.
Yearly Tune-Up: The #1 issue for AC repair is not completing
yearly maintenance. By not doing a yearly tune-up you are at risk of future
unnecessary break downs. Think of the annual tune-up like an oil change on your
car. If you wouldn’t skip an oil change, why would you skip an annual air
conditioning tune-up?
General Wear & Tear: Over time, certain parts of your
unit will start to fail and need replacing, and yearly maintenance can prevent
some unexpected wear & tear as the HVAC technician is capable of noticing
any deprecation of AC components.
Thermostat: The brain of your AC system is your thermostat,
and when it has issues, it can cause chaos with the comfort levels of your
home. Thermostat issues can lead to your unit constantly staying on, or the opposite,
a complete shut off. Not only will these cause problems for the unit itself,
but they can cause issues to your wallet by increasing energy usage and
therefore energy bills. Luckily this is one of the easiest and quickest fixes
that any HVAC technician will be able to find and be able to provide repair.
Fan Issues: Air conditioners have two fans: one that blows
the cool air into your home, and one that blows the hot air out of your home.
If the fans are not working properly your unit will have restricted air flow,
which can lead to more serious issues such as compressor failure. Issues with
AC fans can be due to many factors such as worn belts, too much dirt or debris,
and other similar issues.
Ducts: Any issues with the ductwork can cause serious problems
with your air conditioner. For example, if there are any holes or tears in the
ductwork, the cool air will escape making your unit work harder to keep your
home cool. Rodents, birds, or even bugs can wreck ducts by building their nests
inside of the ductwork; we recommend ductwork to be checked throughout the year
to ensure none of these issues are present. Your ductwork should be cleaned
every 2 years to help protect its longevity.
The biggest why reason air conditioners break down is
because annual maintenance is not completed throughout the year, and often
time, for several years. Each spring, HVAC companies get busier with scheduled
maintenance calls and complete routine tune-ups. Every tune-up should include
various tasks to ensure your unit is running at its peak performance. This will
help save you additional headaches with unexpected repairs, and it will most
likely increase the lifespan of your unit. Here are a few steps that should be
completed each and every year.
– Bearings should be inspected for any wear and tear
– All moving parts such as belts should be lubricated
– Calibrate thermostat
– Change thermostat batteries, if required
– Inspect condensate levels
– Check insulation
– Ensure refrigerant lines are clear of any physical damage
– Testing of the motor
– Inspect for any leaks
– Check fan blades are balanced
– Look at the capacitor and replace if required
– Level outside unit, if required
– Clean any dirt and debris from blower and coils
– Change the air filter
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