Keeping your cool in Southwest Arizona is easy when your A/C is functioning correctly, but what do you do if it’s not? Routine maintenance is the key to prevention and early detection of many issues, but you may still encounter them from time to time. Here’s how to spot some common A/C problems before they get out of control.
- User error. Improper operation is one of the most common A/C problems, and one of the easiest to remedy. Ensu
re that all outside doors and windows are closed when the unit is on, and that the temperature is set below the current room temperature. For room air conditioners, seal off the room or group of rooms in use as best as you can. - Low refrigerant levels. Peak performance and efficiency is best achieved when the refrigerant charge is an exact match to the manufacturer’s specifications. A unit that’s low on refrigerant may have been improperly charged when it was installed, or it may have a leak. Either way, the unit must be examined, repaired and charged by a professional before continuing use.
- Drainage issues. Over time the condensate drain can begin to grow a thick algae-like substance, causing it to clog and the drain pan to overflow. This issue can be prevented as drain lines are cleaned as part of routine annual maintenance. In the case of room air conditioners, poor drainage may be caused by a unit that’s not level.
- System control failure. Frequent on and off cycling, most common when an improperly sized unit is installed, can place undue wear and tear on fan and compressor controls, causing them to fail prematurely.
- Insufficient maintenance. Dirty filters and coils significantly reduce the efficiency of your A/C, by causing the unit to work harder and wear out faster. Change the filter regularly during peak season, and have the coils cleaned as part of routine annual maintenance.
For more information regarding common A/C problems, give us a call at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Co. We’ve recently celebrated 60 years of service in Yuma and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C problems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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