If you have spent summer in a home or a business premise plagued with a non-functional air-conditioner, it is undoubtedly an experience you do not want to repeat. If you live in a hot and humid region, this is even worse. A malfunctioning air conditioner will result in high humidity and an undesirable increase in temperature.

You don’t want to leave your summer comfort to chance again! Learn some of the leading causes of AC failure and how to avoid them.

Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant is a chemical blend in the AC’s unit that reduces the room temperature as it converts from liquid to gas. Low amounts of refrigerant may not be enough to cool the air effectively. It is worth noting that in the process of cooling, the refrigerant does not reduce or get consumed, it simply converts to liquid in the condenser unit.

Since normal operations do not reduce the refrigerant level, you would expect your AC unit system to maintain the same amount throughout. But that’s not always the case. AC units are prone to gradual wear and tear, which may cause leakages.

You’ll want to take preventive measures by hiring a qualified HVAC technician to look at your AC and determine the sources of the leak and repair them.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is located in the indoor portion of the AC, and it contains the refrigerant. For the AC to work effectively, warm air has to circulate properly around the coils. If the airflow is interrupted, the evaporator gets too cold, and a layer of ice builds up on the outside. Here is how you can identify the problem:

  • Building getting too warm
  • No air or warm air coming from the supply registry
  • Water leaks around the conditioner’s leak
  • Evaporator coil covered in a layer of ice

If these conditions are present, you will want to contact a certified HVAC technician from Honest Air Conditioning to fix the problem.

The most effective way to preventing freeze-ups in the evaporator coil is by maintaining the AC regularly. It is best to call an HVAC technician at least twice a year — before summer and after winter — to clean and tune-up your system.

Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser coils are located in the outdoor unit and are responsible for expelling hot air from the room. The condenser coils are susceptible to accumulating dirt and grime over time. When a layer of dirt accumulates on the condenser coil, it acts as an insulator that impedes heat transfer.

When the AC can’t function properly, it is forced to work harder to do its job, and as a result, the compressor can overheat and fail due to increased temperature and pressure.

The ideal way to prevent it from happening again is by hiring an HVAC expert to regularly inspect and clean the coils. By consulting with our HVAC experts, we will advise you on the frequency of maintenance your unit needs based on the size of your building, the unit’s capacity, and the number of hours it runs in a day.

Issues With the Fan

An AC unit has two fans, one on the inside to blow cold air in the house and another on the outside to blow air across the evaporator coils to remove heat from the air and cool it. If one of them does not work properly, the efficiency of the unit is compromised. Failure to address the problem can cause a total breakdown of your air conditioner.

It is easy to find out if the fans are working. Walk around the unit and listen. If there is a humming sound, it means the blades are turning and the fans are working. If there is no sound to indicate that the compressor is working and the fan is not working either, the problem is likely with a compressor contactor.

If the compressor is working, but the fan won’t turn, the motor and or the AC is likely to be faulty. Unless you have experience with high-voltage machinery and electrical currents, you should never attempt to fix the problem yourself as you risk serious injury by touching the capacitors.

The best plan is to call professionals to fix the problem. If you want to get a glimpse of what might be happening in the AC, however, here are some safe steps to performing a visual inspection:

  • Turn off electricity at the unit, and do not touch anything unless you are certain that the power is off
  • Look for the capacitor, a small round or cylindrical object with sponges at the top
  • Check for any signs of trouble, perhaps leaking, rust or swelling
  • Contact an HVAC expert to handle the issues if these are present

Leaking Ducts

From the AC, the cool air is carried to your space through ductwork. If the duct is broken or has holes, the cooled air may leak away where it is not needed. This makes the AC work harder, driving the utility bills high.

Malfunctioned Thermostats

After some time, the thermostat may begin to malfunction, especially if it is an outdated model or it is not calibrated correctly. Your AC then will not be receiving the right instructions from the main control system. It is best to replace an outdated thermostat or use the manual to calibrate it correctly.

Worn-Out Parts

The AC is made up of many parts that will wear and tear slowly over time. If your system is old, you will want to engage an HVAC professional to inspect the integral components, such as fan blades and the compressor coil, which are prone to damage. The worn-out parts should be replaced before they cause the unit’s failure to save you the emergency repair call.

Bad Circuit Breaker

A faulty circuit may cause air conditioner failure. As much as you find it easy to replace the blown breaker, it is risky because you are dealing with a high voltage electrical system. If you are unsure how to change the breaker, contact one of our HVAC professionals to handle the issue.

Steps to Prevent Air Conditioner Problems

Here are some things you can do to prevent problems with your AC unit.

  • Replace dirty air filters — When air filters are clogged, they may impede airflow, which causes coil freezing.
  • Inspect duct and repair holes — If the utility bills are high and there is not enough air coming from the registers, you will want to get an HVAC expert to inspect the ducts’ condition as they might be leaking.
  • Clear debris around the AC unit — If there is vegetation or debris around the outdoor AC unit, the AC might get clogged by leaves, dirt, and trash.

Get Quality AC Repair

The main cause of all air conditioner problems can be prevented and mitigated with regular maintenance. Hire an HVAC expert from Honest Air Conditioning to inspect and tune-up your system regularly. Regular maintenance is cost-effective as it will save you from incurring high costs in case the AC stops to function.

You don’t have to wait for the AC unit to fail. If you notice any issue, contact our HVAC experts. Our trained professionals will help you service and maintain the AC units to keep your home in Mesa, AZ, a comfortable place to live in. If you’re looking for heater services, we can take care of that, too. Find out more about our preventative and maintenance options for ACs and heaters by contacting Honest Air Conditioning today.