What Fails in an Air Conditioning Unit and How to Avoid It

Having a functioning air conditioning unit is essential for a comfortable home. But, like any other appliance, it can malfunction due to regular use. Parts such as the compressor, fan blades, and electrical connections can all be subject to wear and tear. If a trained technician can replace worn parts before they actually fail, an emergency repair call may be saved.

One of the main reasons people have problems with air conditioning is due to a dirty oven filter. This is very common and can be easily prevented by changing the filter once a month. Common central air conditioning problems occur when rooms are closed and the flow of air through the house is interrupted. To avoid this, make sure to close the windows and exterior doors of your house to isolate the room or a group of connected rooms as much as possible from the rest of the house. Improperly installing a central air conditioner can lead to duct leaks and low airflow.

Many times, the refrigerant charge (the amount of refrigerant in the system) does not match the manufacturer's specifications. If the refrigerant is not properly charged during installation, the performance and efficiency of the unit are impaired. Unqualified service technicians often fail to detect refrigerant charging problems or even worsen existing problems by adding refrigerant to a system that is already full. It is important to know what to ask for when hiring a technician to service your air conditioner. If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, either because it was undercharged at the time of installation or is leaking, simply adding coolant is not the solution.

A trained technician must fix any leaks, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of coolant. Remember that the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner is greater when the refrigerant charge matches the manufacturer's specifications exactly and is not undercharged or overcharged. Refrigerant leaks can also be harmful to the environment. A bad smell coming from your unit can mean a lot of things, none of them good, such as mold, mildew, or a burnt cable. These problems require immediate repair. Dust, poplar, and other airborne particles often accumulate in the condensing coil of the air conditioner, reducing efficiency and capacity.

If your air conditioner needs refrigerant every year, it will most likely leak in the refrigerant circuit and need to be repaired or replaced. It consists of air filters, condensers, fan motor, evaporator coils, compressor, contractor, fuses, fan blades and a cover. Because cable and terminal corrosion is also a problem in many systems, electrical connections and contacts must be checked during a professional service call. Evaporator coils attract maximum dust from air conditioning machines which tends to interfere with their normal operation. If you notice a big difference with your unit's typical capacity consider calling a repair specialist. Air filters are like the lungs of an air conditioner which are not a part that reflects any movement nor are they responsible for its electrical function. This can be very rewarding for you since you tend to get an additional half ton of air conditioning capacity simply by covering up any leaks.

Please note that all faults and repairs listed must be addressed by a professional HVAC technician. If you let your air conditioner filters and coils get dirty then your air conditioner will not work properly and its compressor or fans are likely to fail prematurely. We suggest homeowners not try this as both their air conditioner and oven switches should be turned off. If you have questions or concerns about your air conditioning system contact Wyckoff Heating & Cooling today.