The warm weather in South Florida, which is almost year round, is when everyone is running their air conditioning units non-stop. Air conditioning professionals report that this is also the busiest time of the year for service calls. However, not all air conditioning problems need professional attention. There are a few common problems with air conditioners that prevent your system from running smoothly.
Not using your air conditioner properly
To keep your AC operating properly, close all exterior doors and windows, including garage and attic doors. However, keep the interior doors open, this is important for unrestricted airflow. Make sure your thermostat is set to “automatic” instead of “fan” because if you run the fan, hot air will continually enter the air. Select a temperature that allows the unit to turn on and off frequently.
Dirty air filter
Dirty air filters are a frequent culprit of AC failure. You may need to replace your filter more often than the standard 30 days if you live in a dusty climate, have pets or just have a large volume of activity in your home. Choose your filter carefully, since many of the new “high efficiency” filters do not allow enough air to circulate through old AC systems. Some air conditioning technicians recommend old-fashioned fiberglass or woven polyester filters as long as you do not have a newer, high-efficiency AC system as they allow you to circulate enough air, while still collecting a reasonable amount of dust and debris.
Incorrect maintenance (or nonexistent)
For many people, out of sight is something that is not taken into account when it comes to air conditioning. In other words, if it is running and cooling, there is no need to worry about it. This could not be further from the truth. Your AC system should be inspected and adjusted every year. Many AC companies offer specials during the spring, which is the best time to have a set-up service. Annual maintenance adjustments ensure that your system works properly throughout the summer.
If you continue to have problems after having checked your thermostat settings, controlled the switches, and changed the filter, it is probably time to call a professional. Beyond the problems listed here, the owner can handle some AC repairs safely. Next year, be sure to have your annual air conditioning adjustment service so that you can stay cool throughout the summer.
How to Fix an Air Conditioner
While air conditioners are quite dependable, there are some things that can go wrong with your system ranging from minor inconveniences to major issues that make you want to get your hair out. But your air conditioning does not have to be a constant source of frustration, there are air conditioning repair steps you can take in your home to make everything work smoothly or to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
Common air conditioning problems and how to solve them
While there may be many reasons why your AC might malfunction or not work at all, including faulty wiring, low coolant level, and poor installation, which all must be addressed by a professional, there are some major issues that can be addressed at home.
Air conditioning does not turn on
Two common reasons why your AC will not start up are quite simple: it could disconnect, or the thermostat could have a low battery if it is not connected.
The Solution: This may seem obvious, but the first thing to do is to make sure that the disconnect switch on your AC is turned on. Many people forget that they turned off their air conditioner during the winter and they will have to turn it back on.
Air conditioner works but does not blow air
This problem usually comes from clogged and dirty air filters or frozen coils, and one can even drive the other in many cases! Dirty air filters restrict the flow of air in your home and can cause the temperature of your evaporator to decrease until it faces a solid block of ice.
The solution: if it is the air filter that causes the problems, the solution is as easy as changing the dirty filter to a clean filter to restart it. Of course, you should be in the habit of changing your filters every three months, depending on usage.
The air coming from the vents is not cold
As we mentioned earlier, your refrigerant-filled evaporator coils are 40 degrees colder than the air in your home, which means it will return air to 20 degrees colder than the ambient temperature.
