In the summertime, your air conditioner is subject to a lot of stress as it runs more or less continuously during hot spells. It may also be running hotter as temperatures go up. Running in hot weather can put even more stress on the moving parts so that they are more subject to wear and tear and breaking down.
That’s why it’s a good idea to always schedule spring maintenance on your HVAC system. A technician can find the parts that are wearing and on the verge of failure before they fail. This can save you a lot of trouble so you don’t have to endure a hot spell without air conditioning, and it can also save you money.
Here is a list of the air conditioner components most likely to fail.
Air Filters
You can argue that an air filter isn’t really a part, but regardless, it needs to be changed regularly. A dirty filter can cause a host of problems, chiefly having to do with slow airflow. An HVAC system requires good airflow to work properly. A dirty filter will cause your air conditioner to run hotter and with more friction, resulting in a breakdown of parts and, ultimately, system failure.
Capacitor
A capacitor is an essential part that helps motors start up and assists them in their run cycle. When a capacitor fails, the fan motor or compressor will not start properly. Formerly, capacitors ran with a PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) oil that is now known as a carcinogen. Now they run on castor oil, which doesn’t promote longevity as well as PCB did. Typically, capacitors fail when the weather is hottest.
Clogged Condensate Drain
Often in hot weather, you’ll experience more humidity. The AC will have to work harder to pull moisture out of the air as it evaporates on the coils and is sent down the condensate drain. The higher the humidity, the more likely your condensate drain is to get clogged. Have your HVAC tech inspect it and pour bleach down it every year.
To learn more about failing AC components, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company of Yuma.
