Steer Away From Air Conditioner Issues and Problems with These Tips

It’s that time of year again in Phoenix when everybody starts using their A/C’s more consistently. As temperatures rise, you may notice that your A/C system is not cooling your house as much as you would like. If you start to notice any problems or issues with your air conditioning, there may be a few reasons it is not up to par with your standards.

Standard Solutions

First, the simple solution is usually the best solution when it comes to your A/C unit. Make sure your unit is set to AUTO, rather than leaving it set to ON all day. When you keep the unit on all day, the fans will be spinning but will stop cooling your house. This also causes the A/C system to wear down faster, and you will be calling for repairs sooner than you would like. Another common problem that your A/C system may be failing is from dirty air filters. Dirty air filters will either clog the air preventing anything from blowing through, or they will keep the house from cooling. Air filters are easy to clean or replace, and by doing so your can drastically change the performance of the A/C unit. Your future self will be thanking you for preserving the life of your A/C unit and keeping your air conditioning system working properly in the hot summer months.

No Cool Air?

Another air conditioner problem you may encounter is that the A/C is blowing air, but not cooling your home. This is a result of setting the A/C temperature too cold for too long. When the A/C is set too cold, it is using large amounts of refrigerant, or freon. Refrigerant is what cools the air in your home, and using too much of it in a short time will cause it to drain quickly. You may also experience refrigerant leaks, which will cause the refrigerant level to drop much faster than expected.

Additionally, by running your unit too cold, it can freeze the evaporator coils. Evaporator coils act as a sponge and absorb the hot air in your house. If a layer of ice forms over them, your air conditioning unit will either start blowing hot air, or will not blow any air at all. If you notice these symptoms coming from your A/C unit, it is best to look for some repairs.

Slow A/C?

You may notice your A/C unit is cooling the house, but takes awhile to get the job done. This could mean that your unit is too small for your house. Having a unit that is too small makes it take much longer to cool your entire home than if your air conditioner that is the proper size. In the hot summer months, you will be glad you have a unit that cools your house quickly. Also, if your A/C unit is too small for your house, it will be working much harder to cool your home. This both creates more wear and tear on the unit, as well as increasing your electricity bill drastically. This air conditioning issue will require maintenance more often and cost you significantly more than it would cost to upgrade to a larger system. Long term, you will experience less stress and more comfort by making sure the air conditioning system is the proper size for your house.

Keep in mind, air conditioners are expected to maintain temperatures about 20-25 degrees below the outside temperature. If it is 105 outside, you should not be expecting your unit to keep the house at a cool 72 degrees. Start looking for problems with your A/C unit when it fails to reach the proper temperatures.

Weird Noises?

A scary air conditioning issue you may experience is your A/C unit is making screeching or squeaking noises, some of the motors or belts may be close to breaking. Adding some lubricant to the oil port should fix this problem. If you hear banging, clanging, or rattling, you should turn you air conditioning unit off immediately and call a professional to come inspect it. If you notice a smacking sound, similar to a playing card hitting the spokes of a bicycle, there may be something stuck in the blower blades. Turn off the A/C and inspect the blades and surrounding area for any debris that may have gotten stuck in the unit. If you experience any clicking sounds, this is generally an issue with the electrical connections and you should contact a professional to inspect your A/C unit to ensure everything is working properly. If you are ever unsure of the sounds your air conditioner is making, it is safest to contact a professional who can identify and fix the issue.