by Cooper Climate Control
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Although there can be so many possible reasons to worry that your AC is not cooling and there may be a need for repair, there are a few reasons that are more common than others. Knowing what they are can help you better understand what a technician is talking about when you need to discuss the options for correcting the problem. And if your AC unit stops working in the middle of this Arizona summer, you will want to get it taken care of ASAP.
Like other major appliances, the components of your system can experience lots of mechanical or electrical problems. With this overview of common problems that are potential threats to your air conditioner, Houstonians will be better able to check their systems to spot potential issues before they create real problems. While homeowners can tackle some of these problems themselves if experienced enough, others require the assistance of an experienced heating and air conditioning specialist.
Mechanical Mishaps
Most of the time, the problem is that your unit is no longer cooling your home. Everything seems to be on but no air is circulating. One of the best ways to recognize this problem is by the sounds that can occur. AC units are designed to work somewhat quietly, and if your machine is making loud noises, then you need to look into what is really going on. Most of the time, these noises are coming come from the fan belt. Turn off the power, check the belt, and if it’s good, make sure that the pulleys are turning properly. If they aren’t, then the bearings will need to be lubricated. If the belt is worn, loose, or off, it will need to be replaced. Other common failures usually occur in fan motors and small parts like contactors. These things may appear easy to fix yourself, but in reality they can be tedious tasks.
Frozen Coils
Another common problem is frozen coils. How do you know when they are frozen? Well, the pipes and unit will usually be frozen solid, surrounded by a block of ice. If the filter is clogged up and it’s not getting enough air on the coil, then it’s going to freeze. Another problem is if it’s low on Freon and there’s a leak in the system somewhere. The coil can go below freezing and ice up.
This causes circulation problems in the unit. The good news is that if you turn off your system and use a hair dryer or some other hot air source, you could help melt the ice and pipes pretty quickly, and this should restore AC to your home. If it happens more than once, consider getting your system calibrated. In many cases, the only way a homeowner can prevent these common problems is by getting regular maintenance- about once a year depending on usage. Low refrigerant and airflow problems can be easily detected during a routine check-up by an experienced technician.
Leaks
Refrigerant, also referred to as Freon, is the chemical that cools the air in your unit. Low refrigerant may indicate a leak or problem with the general refrigerant system. If your air conditioning system needs to be recharged with refrigerant, typically that means there is a leak and the coil can freeze.
If your AC unit leaks water inside, and you are sure that it is definitely not frozen, then you probably have a bad drain on your unit, or the drain could also be clogged. The condensation pan should be checked for rust, and then the drain should be looked at to make sure there are no clogs and damages.
Dirty Units
One of the most common causes of AC not cooling is that the grills are blocked. After switching the power off, disassemble the unit, and clean it thoroughly, making sure not to get any of the electronics wet.
After it all gets reassembled, turn it back on and see if that fixed the problem. Dirty AC units won’t operate at peak efficiency, and sometimes a nice cleaning can help restore a unit back to like-new condition.
Faulty wiring
Improper, haphazard or uncertified AC wiring is very dangerous and also a potential fire hazard. Bad wiring often prevents the system from getting power, or can trip the circuit breaker, which is something you definitely don’t want. This is something that an HVAC technician will take a look at during a routine, annual checkup.
Outside Fan Failure
The outside fan is the component that is responsible for transferring the heat from your home to the air outside. If the fan isn’t working, heat transfer is not taking place correctly and the air conditioning compressor has the potential to overheat and trip the safety overload, or even cause bad internal harm to the compressor.
Why Call Cooper Climate Control?
You don’t want to take chances with something as important as your AC unit during summer. Even the slightest doubt that comes across your mind when performing a mechanical or an electrical task in an expensive piece of equipment should raise red flags. Calling Cooper Climate Control to make sure things are done right and safely for you and your family is the best idea when dealing with air conditioning issues.
What to Expect when You’re Expecting…to Replace your Unit
Your Heating & Cooling Specialist technician is the best bet for finding a new air conditioning unit that suits you and your home, so give us a call to get the conversation started. Like we’ve mentioned before, AC units aren’t just a “nice thing” to have. They are essential for all of us in Arizona this time of year.
Whatever your budget and whatever your personal needs are for your family and your home, AC quality and efficiency in the home is something that most are not willing to compromise. Take the time to get familiar with how your system is doing, make sure it’s nice and clean, and if you see (or hear!) any possible problems, call us at Cooper Climate Control Heating & Air-Conditioning and we will be there to get you cool in no time.
