Photo By brain master at istock
Air conditioners have many components that carry out various functions. After some time these components might experience wear and tear which will affect the effectiveness of the air conditioning system. Some of these problems are not serious and can easily be fixed by the average homeowner. Other problems are more complex and require a professional to carry out air conditioner repairs or replace the faulty mechanisms. Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air in Chattanooga, TN has qualified and experienced technicians that can conduct the most common air conditioner repairs to restore your air conditioner to its most effective working condition. They would like to share this valuable information with you so you can determine whether or not you require professional assistance.
Clogged drains or filters
This is a very common problem and it is also an easy problem to deal with and generally doesn’t require a technician to do it. Clogged filters can cause various problems like decreasing airflow and allowing for dust and dirt to circulate in your home. This also causes your air conditioner to work harder which uses up more resources. The air conditioner removes moisture from the air and it has to dispose of the moisture. The moisture will flow into a pan and then down the drain. If the drain is blocked then it can cause the pan to overflow which can damage the system. It can also cause water damage to the walls and ceilings in our home. If it is left for too long then mold will start to grow which can cause health problems. If you leave this problem unchecked then you will have more than just air conditioner repairs to worry about. You can try to unclog the drain yourself by using a chemical or a long thin stick or flexible wire however it is not advised because it might not provide a permanent solution. . These two problems can cause your air conditioner to expel less cool air which renders the system useless and might expel smelly, dirty air that can make your home less comfortable. You can resolve these problems yourself or you can hire a professional to carry out the air conditioner repairs especially if you are short on time. It is also important to have your air conditioning system serviced at least once a year to make sure everything is working and to decrease the frequency of repairs.
Not enough refrigerant
The chemical in your air conditioner system is called the refrigerant and its function is to remove the heat and humidity from the air within your home. The refrigerant can be low because the system hasn’t been serviced in a while and the refrigerant hasn’t been refilled. The air conditioning system that you have will determine where you can refill the refrigerant. If you are unsure of the type of system or where to refill refrigerant then it is best to contact a technician to help you so that you know everything is done correctly. If there is too much refrigerant then the evaporator coils are more likely to freeze over and if there is too little refrigerant then the coil will not be able to remove all the heat from the air. If the refrigerant has recently been refilled and the air conditioner is not blowing out cool air or it is not absorbing the moisture then there can be a leak within the refrigerant line. If you suspect that there are leaks then you should contact a professional that can conduct the air conditioner repairs. It is difficult to locate the exact spot of the leak and it can also be very time-consuming. after the leaks have been detected then the professional will repair the leaks or replace the line.
Problematic coils
There are two main coils within your air conditioning system. The first one is the evaporator coil that is filled with the refrigerant. It acts like a sponge that absorbs the heat from the air and requires warm air to circulate around the evaporator coil to make sure that the coil doesn’t freeze over. Sometimes things disrupt the airflow like dirty filters or there is a problem with the blower fan and this can cause an ice build-up around the evaporator coil. Your air conditioner will not be able to expel cool air into your home even though it is on. You can shut down the air conditioning system for a few hours so that the ice can melt. You should never attempt to chip away at the ice because you could puncture the coil and cause more problems. If this problem persists then you might want to call a technician that can conduct the necessary air conditioner repairs to make sure the evaporator coil is in perfect working condition.
The second coil is less likely to require professional air conditioner repairs compared to the first one. The second coil within an air conditioning system is the condenser coil. This coil is responsible for getting rid of the heat that is removed from the air in your home. The condenser coil is a part of the outside unit and thus can become very dirty especially in places with a lot of air pollution. The build-up of dust and dirt will affect the heat transfer and your air conditioning system will have to work harder. You can shut on your air conditioner and gently brush off the dirt. This will help your air conditioner to last longer and require fewer repairs because the parts are experiencing less wear and tear. If you see anything abnormal while cleaning the condenser coil, contact a professional to conduct air conditioner repairs in your Chattanooga, TN home.
Problems with the fans
An air conditioning system needs fans to move the hot and cold air around so that it can carry out its intended purpose of removing hot and expelling cool air. There are some things that can go wrong and cause your fans to stop working causing a need for air conditioner repair. The motor might be giving out or there isn’t enough lubricant and the belts are worn. If you suspect that your air conditioner fans are malfunctioning because you have poor airflow and you have cleaned the filters then you should contact a professional. The system might also not turn off to give it a break because of dirty fans. If you think an object is interfering with the fan’s movement then you can turn off the system and turn the fans in a clockwise position to see if anything snags. The technicians at Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air in Chattanooga, TN know how important the fans are and if they are not repaired within a reasonable amount of time then the compressor will fail and your air conditioner will not turn on. They have trained technicians that will assess the system and conduct air conditioner repairs as needed. The repairs might include replacing internal components or making sure that the hiring in the motor is intact and functional. Along with air conditioner repairs, the system should be maintained regularly to decrease the frequency of expensive repairs.
Leaking ducts
If you have a central air conditioning system or you want to install a central air conditioning system then you have to deal with installing and maintaining ducts. The ducts are installed within your ceilings and walls to provide a passage for air to flow and cool down your home. If you have noticed an increase in electrical bills and your home is not being cooled as well as it used to then there might be leaks in the ductwork. These leaks can be caused by age, rodents, or careless workers that have conducted repairs on other aspects of your home. It is best to leave these types of air conditioner repairs to the professionals because it might be difficult to locate multiple small leaks across the ductwork. There is also a possibility that you have to remove a section of the ducts and replace it which means some construction will commence. This can be a time consuming and somewhat dangerous project if it is attempted by someone who doesn’t have the necessary experience. Within your walls and ceiling, there are electrical wires, water, and drainage pipes as well as gas mains. These components can be damaged which will affect the integrity of your home.
Faulty thermostat
The thermostat allows you to control your whole system and that is why it is very important to ensure that your thermostat is in great working condition. This will prevent your system from working too hard and not producing cold enough air. Sometimes your thermostat needs to be recalibrated so that it sends the right signals to the system. You might have to search for an online manual if you have lost your copy to recalibrate the thermostat. If you are unable to recalibrate it or it did not solve the problem then it is time to look towards professional air conditioner repairs. The wiring within your thermostat might be old or faulty or an internal component could have broken. An air conditioner technician will be able to recalibrate and repair your thermostat and make sure that other problems are not to blame for your air conditioner’s lack of performance. A technician will not only conduct air conditioner repairs but might also suggest that you upgrade to a new thermostat especially if it is going to be more cost-effective to replace the older thermostat with a new one. It is important to check your thermostat regularly to make sure it is calibrated correctly and sending the right signals to the system.
Wiring
The air conditioner uses electricity to carry out its function and the wires within this system carry electricity to various contents. These wires also send signals to the components to increase or decrease the intensity in which they are working. These wires can become old and weak over time and overuse can damage them. The wires within the control panel might not be connected correctly and cause the wrong signals to be sent. The air conditioning system might be drawing too much power from the home’s electrical system and cause the power to trip. If you suggest that your air conditioner is causing any electrical problems then it is best to call a professional air conditioner repairs service provider. Electricity is dangerous and it can cause injury and death, therefore, it is best to air conditioner repairs that have to do with electricity to trained professionals. They will also be able to suggest an electrician if the repairs fall out of their expertise. If your air conditioner is causing problems in your electrical system, it can be detrimental to components within that system like the circuit breaker or appliances that are turned off because of frequent power trips. Electrical fires can also start because of damaged or exposed wires.
There are various different air conditioning systems to choose from and each system is designed differently which means different problems are more prevalent in different types of air conditioning systems. As mentioned above some of the problems have quick fixes and others require a lot more work. If you suspect that you are in need of any of these air conditioner repairs then don’t hesitate to call Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air. They provide a wide selection of air conditioner repairs ranging from installation of air conditioner systems to general maintenance. Their friendly technicians will inspect your system and pinpoint exactly what if causing the problem. They will advise which option would be the best. They provide services to Chattanooga, TN and if you live in this area don’t hesitate to contact them and schedule an appointment and forget about your cooling conundrum.