7 Reasons Your Air Conditioner is Failing | Air Conditioning Services in Frisco, TX
Seasons change to disrupt our comfort levels that we are so used to wearing the same attires. Most homeowners counter the crushing heat by revving their air conditioners, silently humming in the background, more so if they’re in disrepair. Global temperatures have been rising ever so gradually, making it an absolute necessity in most households to resort to an air conditioner.
So it comes as no surprise that when their air conditioner fails to work like it should, it deals a crushing blow to optimism. Fortunately there are highly trained professionals who offer air conditioning services in Frisco, TX.
There are however, always ways you can prevent a costly repair by identifying the symptoms of a degrading air conditioner. Separating the symptoms from the disorder is crucial to troubleshooting problems. After consulting with numerous experts, we have identified 7 of the most common issues with air conditioners.
Dead Thermostat Batteries
The thermostat controls your air-conditioner’s compressor and lets it know when to start ramp up its engine, they do this by detecting the ambient temperature and comparing it with the temperatures set up by the user. The complicated electronic circuitry embedded on the thermostat means that the average homeowner should not tinker with them at the first sign of their AC going bad.
A common sign that your thermostat has stopped functioning properly is when it fails to display anything. The simplest solution, which, depending on the model can be relatively easy, is to swap out the old batteries for a new one. Some older models do not make the thermostat batteries easily accessible, and you might require the aid of a professional after all.
While the thermostat batteries should be your first line of defense, if switching out the batteries doesn’t fix the problem, it means something is wrong with the circuitry itself. It is tempting to temper with the electronic equipment to see if you can get away with an easy fix, but our experts warn against touching something you have no idea of.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
Yet another issue that has no direct impact on your air conditioner, the circuit breaker often trips at the first instance of overloading. The simplest solution would be to reset it and turn on the air conditioner again.
Do keep in mind that if the circuit breaker tripped, it could mean that other heavy electronic items in the immediate vicinity are causing the problem. Try to isolate these electronic items and if possible, relocating them to a different source. If you are unsure how to proceed with this step, you could always get expert help from an expert air conditioning service in Frisco, TX.
Air Filters Clogged with Dirt
The air filters are designed to protect your air conditioner from dust and dirt, and are commonly placed in front of the evaporator coils. Overtime, the air filters accumulate plenty of dust which gradually decreases the efficiency of your air conditioner’s cooling capacity. It is relatively easy to remove the air filter and clean it with a dry towel. Make sure you’re able to reach into every nook and cranny of the air filters, to ensure that any grime never gets the chance to touch the evaporator coils. It is still always a good idea to get a professional air conditioning service in Frisco, TX.
Drain Pipe That is Broken
Air conditioners are very similar to dehumidifiers, in that, they end up extracting water vapors from the atmosphere and condensing them. And while this isn’t the primary purpose of an air conditioner, the production of liquid water is a by-product of cooling air. This water has to find an outlet to escape, and most manufacturers have installed drain pipes that are located in appropriate locations.
These drain pipes are also subject to dust and dirt overtime, which eventually clog the spaces completely. This makes it difficult for the water to find a way out of the AC’s unit and is forced back where it came from. The water accumulates and spills out.
Repairs for this can be easy and often all you have to do is pour a cup of bleach in the drain line, which not only kills microorganisms but also clears but the dust and dirt particles. If the problem has to do with the condensation line itself, then you will likely need the help of air conditioning services in Frisco, TX.
Temperatures are Below Optimum Levels
Most air conditioners have a limit to how much they can cool. If the ambient temperatures are below 55 degrees, the coils end up freezing. A common symptom of such a problem is a pool of water near your AC system. This is due to the evaporation of ice crystals that grew over the evaporator coils. One solution is to simply shut down the unit and wait for the coils to unfreeze.
Decreased Refrigerant Quantity
It is very common for the refrigerants to leak out of the AC system, and when it goes below a certain threshold, it directly has an impact on the cooling capacity of your AC. Unfortunately this is not an easy fix and requires the aid of professional air conditioning services in Frisco, TX. Our experts warn not to try refilling the refrigerant because the job requires access to several professional (and expensive) gear and knowledge of coolants in general.
Seals in Your AC
Most air conditioners have seals installed in them for the specific purpose of preventing the buildup of hot air in the unit. Failure to properly fit them makes it easy for hot air to get inside the unit. The mish-mash of hot and cold air within the unit results in more condensation of water droplets, decreasing the cooling capacity of your air conditioner. The only solution is to get professional help.
The best way to get rid of all these problems is to regularly get your AC audited by experts at One Call Heating and Air. Don’t forget to give us a call or visit our website today to get the best performance out of your AC unit.