The majority of the homes in the United States have a central HVAC system. The use of air conditioning systems increases significantly during the summer. However, we can expect that some homeowners experience problems turning on their air conditioning units. After such a long period of inactivity, there may be several central air conditioning system problems, so it’s crucial to thoroughly inspect your units before turning them back on. Flushing Heating and Air Conditioning is a company that provides HVAC repair and maintenance services that can assist you if you need one.
Air conditioners require routine maintenance, just like all electric appliances do. While some smart devices, like smart AC controllers, keep you informed about maintenance issues, keeping an eye on things yourself is also important. This enables you to identify any issues now rather than paying for costly repairs later.
With that being said, here are five common September AC problems:
- Not working air conditioning unit.
When your air conditioning unit does not function unexpectedly, and without warning, there are a few things you try to do and resolve and fix the problem before calling in an HVAC professional.
Check the thermostat’s batteries first. Battery replacement is an often-forgotten household chore, and with their “set it and forget it” functionality, thermostats are similarly easy to overlook. You need to change the batteries if they’re dead. Check that it is set to “cooling” and the desired temperature. You might have to reset the circuit breaker if the air conditioner doesn’t work.
- Air conditioning releases warm, hot air.
When this happens, make sure the thermostat settings haven’t been flipped. If everything else seems to be in order, try switching out the filter first. Frozen coils and other AC issues are often the results of old, clogged air filters.
If the problem remains after replacing the filter, the low refrigerant may be to blame. You can check this by touching the larger two copper lines leading to the condenser. You have adequate moisture levels if it is damp and cool to the touch. If not, then it is low on refrigerant. A technician should be called in to refill or fix the refrigerant reservoir to get this done correctly.
- The distribution of temperature is not even.
When this happens, an imbalance in the air circulation system may be to blame. The air conditioner may not adequately cool some areas of your home due to room size, air vent placement, windows, and outdoor temperature.
Larger windows should have sun-blocking drapes or blinds installed. If your rooms are at the same temperature, you can adjust the dampers or insulation in your system to achieve this balance.
- The trouble with the air conditioner’s noises.
Strange or excessively loud noises coming from your air conditioner could indicate a problem. They may be annoying, but they are helping you identify the source of the AC problem so you can fix it before it gets worse. Different sounds indicate different AC issues; for instance, a shredding sound indicates a problem with the compressor or motor.
You should never disregard the AC noise problem and immediately contact a professional HVAC technician. An HVAC technician will assist you in identifying the source of the sound and resolving the underlying problem.
- Leaking air conditioning unit.
A certain amount of fluid and condensation is expected in air conditioning units; however, excessive leaking can indicate some problems, each with a unique solution. The condensate line can become clogged easily. Unclogging is simple enough for a do-it-yourself fix, but follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you cannot locate the manual for your air conditioner, or if pieces of the unit are broken instead of clogged, you should contact a licensed maintenance professional who can repair it before flood damage becomes your next expenditure.
These are some of the most frequently encountered AC issues homeowners may encounter prior to or during peak air conditioning seasons. To prevent more serious air conditioner issues, you must address these issues right away. Now that you have this new information about air conditioner problems, you can confidently assess and resolve these issues with your units as quickly as possible. Whenever you encounter issues with your central air conditioning system, you can never go wrong in trusting the technical HVAC experts at Flushing Heating and Air Conditioning.
Feel free to ring our lines at Flushing Heating and Air Conditioning whenever you need to get your air conditioning systems accommodated by licensed HVAC technicians, and we will immediately be at your disposal!
