AC Repair 101: Common Central AC Problems Every Homeowner Should Know About | Arlington, TX
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Every homeowner desires a comfortable residence; no wonder approximately three-quarters of all American homes have an air conditioning system. Residential AC units can be beneficial in many ways. Essentially, they can help lower the concentration of various indoor air pollutants such as dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold spores, thereby reducing the probability of adverse reactions, including asthma attacks. Besides that, AC systems can also lower the risk of dehydration, prevent your home’s electrical appliances from overheating, and improve the security of your Arlington, TX, residence.
Despite their importance, residential air conditioning systems are not indestructible. Issues may develop due to various reasons. The operational efficiency of your home’s air conditioner may reduce due to poor installation or a lack of maintenance. In some scenarios, gradual wear and tear may also warrant the need for a professional AC repair service.
Without timely interventions, minor problems often develop into more serious ones that may eventually force you to consider replacing the unit altogether. That said, below are some of the common AC problems that your repair specialist can help resolve before the need for a replacement option arises.
Refrigerant or Moisture Leaks
Refrigerant and water leaks are among the most common problems experienced in residential AC units. Under normal circumstances, you shouldn’t be worried if you observe condensation outside the air handling unit. However, you may need to schedule an AC repair service if you notice excessive moisture that forms pools or puddles outside the AC.
Past that, refrigerant leaks can be quite hard to spot, mainly because they occur within the coolant lines hidden within the system. Despite that, brightly colored patches of liquid around or inside the system signify that the refrigerant may be leaking.
Moisture leaks in the AC often happen as a result of clogged drain lines or malfunctioning condensate pumps. On the other hand, refrigerant leaks are usually associated with the wear and tear of the unit’s ductwork. You should immediately switch off your unit and contact your local AC professional if you notice a refrigerant leak. The refrigerant is not only harmful to people and the environment, but it can also cause the compressor to fail when its levels are too low. Your local AC service expert may warn you that the compressor is among the most expensive AC components to repair or replace.
Dirty Air Filters
If several years have passed without you having your system’s filters clean or changed, this is a problem you’re bound to encounter. Air filters can be regarded as the backbone of your home’s indoor air quality.
During air conditioner installation, AC repair professionals often install them to help trap fine dust particles, pet dander, allergens, and various indoor air pollutants, preventing them from circulating within your residence. Besides protecting the air you breathe indoors, air filters also significantly impact your air conditioner’s efficiency.
While dirty air filters may not necessarily qualify as an issue that warrants an immediate AC repair service, they may force the cooling system to overwork if they’re riddled with debris. This extra strain, in turn, elevates your system’s rate of wear and tear, prompting the eventual need for professional repair solutions.
Clogged Drain Lines
As aforementioned, a clogged AC drain line is one of the main reasons why you may notice moisture leaks, which are yet another common central AC problem. Your AC’s drain lines may become clogged due to condensation from the evaporator coils. While inside the ductwork, the condensation may combine with the dust particles drawn from your home’s indoor air, turning into mud that’s washed away into the drain line, causing a blockage.
If you notice increased levels of indoor humidity in your Arlington, TX, home, a clogged drainage line may be to blame. Failing to address the issue immediately with the help of your local AC repair professional only increases the risk of mechanical and AC failure in the future.
Cracked Air Ducts
Another common problem that could affect your home’s central air conditioner is failing to blow cool air. This issue often arises due to cracks developing inside the air ducts, which allow the conditioned air to escape. Consequently, the AC may be forced to work harder to maintain your preferred indoor air conditions, leaving you feeling uncomfortable most of the time.
While DIY tactics such as applying duct tape on the cracks have been used in the past, fixing air duct cracks can be a tedious job due to the size and location of the ducts. This is why you should consider working with a reliable AC repair professional near you if you suspect that your unit’s ducts may have cracked.
Faulty Fans
Your central air conditioner relies on its external fans for the heated air in your home to reach outside. If the fan is faulty, you may be left stuck in uncomfortable conditions even though it may be running around the clock.
External AC fans can develop problems with time, so it would be a great idea to occasionally request your AC repair expert to visit your residence to check if anything is blocking its free movement within the air handling unit.
Your technician can also inspect the vents to ensure that they’re not partly to blame for the airflow issues. Fan problems may lead to the compressor overheating and eventually failing, which is why they should be resolved professionally without delay.
Overheating
Your home’s central AC may be overheating if it’s constantly switching on and off. This phenomenon can be traced back to clogged or dirty filters that make the system overwork. It may also arise if your local AC repair technician installed the AC unit in the direct path of sunlight rays, which makes it harder for the unit to cool down the refrigerant.
Additionally, central AC units may overheat due to your home windows being improperly sealed, allowing warm air drafts to find their way into your residence. This warm air forces the AC system to work harder to restore the preferred thermal conditions.
Come to One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth for Professional AC Repair in Arlington, TX
While you may know some of the common problems that you may encounter with your home’s central AC, you should always leave them to a professional in heating and AC service contractors. If you’re a Tarrant County resident, you can rely on the experts at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We’re available around the clock to serve your heating and AC needs.