As important as it is to use an air conditioner effectively and efficiently, regular maintenance of any form is also incredibly essential to make sure it operates optimally.
An AC service allows for thorough cleaning of air filters, condenser fins and other key components of your AC. A trained technician from Sure Temp Air Conditioning will inspect every element.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostats are an integral component of most air conditioning systems, yet their improper function can create numerous issues when not functioning correctly. Such issues could include inaccurate temperature readings, failure to control system temperatures or outages entirely.
Problems with an AC system can be both annoying and expensive. But with some preventive steps taken now, you could save both money and stress in the future.
Checking for Faulty Thermostat Wiring
Over time, the wire connecting your thermostat with an air conditioner, furnace or heat pump may become loose and cause it to no longer communicate correctly with this equipment – leading to issues with constantly running units, cycling cycles and not turning off when desired temperature has been reached.
Bad wiring can also lead to short start/stop cycling which puts immense strain on fan motors and causes them to burn out or stop altogether. When this occurs, professional HVAC technicians should be called in immediately in order to replace your thermostat and restore normal operations.
Additionally, you should regularly clean the thermostat to remove any dirt or debris that could be causing issues. Use canned compressed air or a soft brush to carefully wipe over its inner workings and wiring in order to eliminate any build-up that prevents its proper functioning.
Switch out the batteries in your thermostat to see if this helps. As these devices rely on batteries to power their displays, replacing them could be beneficial if your display has stopped displaying data.
As the final step, you can test the electrical connections between the thermostat and its power source by connecting its red power supply wire directly to its green fan wire. If this doesn’t work, manually test each connection individually until one sends signals to activate your fan.
There can be various reasons for a thermostat to fail, with battery failure being one of the more prevalent reasons. Replacing it usually resolves this problem; if this does not do the trick, call a professional.
Refrigerant Leaks
Reducing refrigerant levels in your AC makes it harder for it to cool your home efficiently, leading it to run longer than necessary and using up more energy than expected – possibly leading to higher electric bills and energy usage charges.
Refrigerant is an integral component of an air conditioning system, as it absorbs heat from the atmosphere before discharging it outside. Refrigerant is composed of chemical compounds used to perform this process, so sufficient refrigerant must be available so the system can operate effectively.
Your AC could be leaking refrigerant for many different reasons, which could lead to higher electricity bills, less comfortable living conditions and health concerns. Knowing their causes will allow you to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Age and wear-and-tear can cause the various components of your air conditioner to wear down over time, especially if you neglect proper maintenance of the unit.
Refrigerant leaks in ACs may occur over time due to factory defects, improper installation and simply natural wear and tear.
Older air conditioning units often rely on R-22 refrigerant, which has since been phased out due to its prohibitive costs. If yours still uses this type of coolant, consider replacing rather than repairing for maximum savings and performance.
If your AC is leaking refrigerant, it’s essential that an expert come inspect and repair it as soon as possible. A leak can be highly dangerous and lead to increased energy usage which ultimately drives up electricity costs.
Professional HVAC service can also identify any related issues that could be contributing to your problem, which will allow them to prevent future complications and keep your system in great working order all year. By getting regular inspection and repair service from experts like HVAC professionals, your unit should last longer, be more energy-efficient, and reduce energy bills significantly.
Dirty Air Filters
Air filters in central air conditioning systems serve to filter out dirt and debris before it enters the system, protecting it from entering further. Filters that become too dirty may create issues in your unit; an AC repair expert should be able to clean or replace these as required.
Clean air filters will trap dust, dirt, pollen and other contaminants before they have an opportunity to enter your ductwork and cause issues with your AC unit. Contaminants come from outside as well as from sources like dead skin cells on carpet fibers or fabric from furniture such as sofas and pillows – either way they should all be captured by an effective filter!
Dirty air filters can be a hugely detrimental issue for homeowners, leading to serious HVAC repair needs as they prevent your home’s air temperature from reaching optimal conditions.
Further, they can cause other issues including allergies, respiratory illnesses, high energy bills and more.
There are several straightforward strategies to help determine whether you require new air filters. If your filters become clogged up, they should be immediately replaced.
Filters used in your air conditioning system come in several varieties; some are disposable while others can last longer and even be reused several times over.
Your filters should be examined regularly for signs of clogging and changed as necessary; doing this will keep your HVAC system operating at peak performance and help avoid further repairs in the future.
Clogged air filters can cause higher energy costs and system breakdowns, since your AC unit must work harder to push air through it, increasing strain on motors, components, and the like.
Animals in the AC Unit
Colder weather brings out more critters that find your HVAC unit an inviting refuge from the elements, creating nests in its ducts and vents to reproduce. If they remain, however, they could cause serious damage to its components if left alone for too long.
Animals like squirrels, raccoons, opossums and mice are common pests that can gain entry to your HVAC system and be an ongoing drain on energy costs. By chewing holes into your ductwork allowing air leakage they create holes which drain your power bill each month – costing more and costing you money each time they reenter your home!
If animal debris has made its way into your ductwork, having it professionally inspected could help identify any issues before they become serious problems. By having it done quickly and professionally, any issues that do emerge will be caught early enough that solutions can be provided quickly before they cause irreparable harm to the system.
Professional inspection of your ductwork is also beneficial in order to keep animals out of your system in the first place. Mice and rats are notorious for chewing through any unsealed areas in ductwork that allow access, thus creating havoc within your system.
Your ductwork may contain open registers which allow these small animals into your system, particularly if there is insulation or an air conditioning unit in the basement.
As part of your annual HVAC maintenance, it is a smart idea to have your system checked for signs of animal damage, in order to catch any ductwork issues before they become serious enough that costly repairs become necessary later.
Dead animals in your ductwork may be hard to detect without professional help, posing a significant health threat as their scent could come recirculating through your home through air conditioning systems and cause significant contamination issues.
Contacting a professional pest control service may be the fastest and simplest solution to this issue. They will be able to determine whether or not an animal is alive, then remove them without leaving a mess for you to clean up later.