As summer approaches and temperatures rise, we look forward to replacing winter with warmer temperatures. But not too warm! Preventing the possibility of an air conditioning outage when you least expect it, spring is when you can definitely take some preventative maintenance actions to help avoid this uncomfortable situation.
HVAC technicians can attest that these are 8 of the most common air conditioning issues they encounter in the summer months during their emergency calls.
- Refrigerant Leak
This is a common problem you can help avoid with an annual HVAC inspection call. This fluid can transition between liquid and gas and back again, but levels can drop if you have a leak in your system.
2. Condensate Back up
The condensate, or water, that is created by your air condition needs to drain out of the system. If you are running your system a lot, this can cause overflow at the drainage area. You can also see this water being backed-up into your unit if the drain pipe itself is clogged. On top of these issues, if the condensate drain pan is not properly mounted you can experience mould and mildew or spillage. Have your HVAC technical check this out during their inspection
3. Condenser Malfunction
This part of the HVAC system might not be functioning as well as it could if you feel the temperature is not reaching your desired setting. The most common reasons for failure is a blown fuse or tripped breaker switch which can be easily checked yourself. Dirt and debris might have gotten into the condenser itself. Once again your HVAC service technician can perform this service for you during your annual inspection.
4. Dirty Evaporator
You can likely guess, this component is responsible for evaporating, or vaporizing, the refrigerant from a liquid to a gas state. Dirt and debris are once again the common culprit for compromising the performance of this unit. Annual cleaning will eliminate this possibility. Sometimes the evaporator is not getting enough refrigerant fluid to work properly – see Issue #1 above.
5. Lack of Comfort
When your house doesn’t seem comfortable or has different temperature zones in your house, this is when you have to consider the location of your thermostat. If it is too close to a vent, in a corner, under the stairs, in direct sunlight, too close to the oven or at the far end of a room, you may need to consider relocating it. This is more common than you think. Have your service technician suggest an appropriate location.
6. Less-cool Air
Even when your air conditioning seems to be working fine, but the air flow just doesn’t feel cool, there are two common reasons. First, if the outside air is above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) your air conditioner simply cannot keep up. An HVAC upgrade may be needed, but balance this decision based on how many days of extreme heat your area typically gets per year.
Ineffective insulating sleeves covering your refrigerant lines could be the second reason. They may have come off, are worn out, or were never installed. Plus, if there is ice build up on your unit it will always result in delays as technicians need to wait until everything thaws out. Plan ahead this is a minor fix for your HVAC technician that can make a major difference in your indoor comfort.
7. Low Airflow
If the cool air is flowing out of your vents less forcefully and therefore having trouble keeping you at the ideal temperature, the air filter is likely dirty and clogged. This is the easiest fix to do yourself and should become a scheduled check every 3-6 months depending on your furnace and filter types. Look out for the bulk pack sales at your local hardware stores in the spring and fall to save you time and money on this DIY maintenance item.
8. Insufficient HVAC Maintenance
Regular maintenance by an HVAC technician needs to be scheduled annually to help avoid the more costly calls. You can also avoid uncomfortable temperatures while waiting for emergency call to be scheduled. During this inspection your technician will inspect, clean, make necessary repairs, replace any worn-out parts, and verify that the HVAC unit is fully operational for the season.
Wishing you a happy and comfortable summer season.
