When your AC system stops working properly, it’s important to hire a professional right away. Ignoring problems can lead to further damage and costly repairs down the road.
Choose an HVAC company with certifications and extensive experience. Ask about their service area and if they charge extra for travel outside of that area.
A faulty evaporator coil will not only affect how efficiently your AC cools your home, but it can also cause your air conditioner to use more energy than necessary. The evaporator coil is an A-shaped web of copper tubes in the heart of your air conditioner. During a normal cooling cycle, the blower fan pulls warm air over these small tubes to both cool and dehumidify it. Without a functioning evaporator coil, your AC would not work properly at all.
The evaporator coil can become damaged by normal wear and tear, erosion, or improper cleaning. Over time, the coil can erode and lose its inner lining, which can lead to refrigerant leaks. This is especially common with older forms of refrigerant, such as R-22. Using a professional-grade evaporator coil cleaner can help prevent this problem.
In some cases, your evaporator coil may need to be replaced. This is particularly true if it is leaking or no longer absorbs heat from the air. A replacement coil is usually made of aluminum or copper and comes with a warranty. However, it’s important to select the right coil for your system based on its size and SEER rating (an air conditioner’s efficiency grade). It is also important to consider whether the new evaporator coil will match the condenser coil in terms of age and refrigerant type.
One of the most common reasons for a faulty evaporator coil is a blocked condensation drain. As your AC works to remove humidity from your home, it creates condensation on the evaporator coil. This condensation is supposed to run out through a drain line, but if it gets clogged, then water can climb back up the coil and eventually freeze. This is a fairly easy fix, but it’s a good idea to clean out your condensation drain on a regular basis.
It is important to note that it’s typically more expensive and less effective to replace an evaporator coil than to recharge the entire system with additional refrigerant. A technician will be able to determine which option is best for your system.
Repairing the Blower Motor
The blower fan motor is a key part of your air conditioning system. It moves conditioned air throughout your home and helps vent heat outdoors. If the blower motor starts to fail, your HVAC system will not work properly. Depending on the specific problems with your blower motor, you may need to repair or replace it. In most cases, you will want to talk with a heating and cooling specialist before making any decisions.
The most common sign that your blower motor is starting to fail is reduced or weak airflow from the vents in your home. This happens when the motor overheats or has other problems that affect its ability to move air around your home. When this happens, you should call a professional immediately. A technician can inspect the blower motor and tell you whether a repair or replacement is needed.
Another common sign of a failing blower motor is loud rattling or squealing sounds. These noises are usually caused by a loose or broken piece. If left untreated, these sounds could damage the motor or other parts of your system. The best way to avoid this is to have a technician check out the system every time you hear a new sound coming from your vents or other components.
If your AC repair company determines that the blower motor is the source of these noises, they can perform a simple maintenance check on the unit. The technician will take the blower motor out of the housing and clean any dirt or dust that has accumulated on it. This can help extend the life of the blower motor and keep it running smoothly.
There are several signs that indicate a blower motor is failing, but you should never ignore a lack of airflow from your vents. It can be caused by a variety of issues, including dirty or clogged filters, ductwork leaks, and more. If the problem is severe enough to cause a complete loss of airflow, it is often best to repair or replace the blower motor. If the motor is close to the end of its lifespan, replacing it might be a better option than trying to save money by repairing it.
Repairing the Contactor
Raise your hand if you love living in Florida. Now raise your other hand if you don’t like when your air conditioner breaks down in the blistering summer heat. Thankfully, most AC issues are preventable with regular maintenance and basic troubleshooting skills. One common problem that can lead to a lack of cooling is a worn out contactor. This is a small switch-like component that controls the flow of electricity to various components within your AC system. Fortunately, the contactor is easy to replace and repair.
If you hear a clicking sound when your AC turns on and off, this is a sign that the contactor is wearing out. The noise occurs as the contacts within the contactor attempt to engage and disengage. Over time, this wear and tear can cause the contacts to stick in either the closed or open position. The constant engagement and disengagement of the contactor leads to excessive energy consumption and premature wear and tear on other AC parts.
The good news is that the contactor is easily replaced and is a relatively inexpensive part to purchase. The first thing you need to do is remove the panel cover from your air conditioning unit. You will likely need a screwdriver set to do this. Once you have the panel off, locate the contactor, which will be located near the condenser. The contactor will look like a box-shaped component with multiple wires running to and from it. The contacts in the contactor will have two halves that make or break electrical connections.
Once you have the new contactor in place, simply connect the wires from the old contactor to the new contactor and then secure it with a screwdriver. Turn the power back on to your AC and you should be able to enjoy cool air once again.
A few additional tips to help you keep your home more comfortable in the coming months include cleaning air ducts, reducing humidity and checking for refrigerant leaks. While these are not as serious as a failed compressor or evaporator coil, they will help your system run more smoothly and efficiently, keeping your home cool and comfortable.
Adding More Refrigerant
If the air conditioner is not producing cold air, the problem may be due to a lack of refrigerant. This is often a simple fix, and a professional HVAC contractor will be able to quickly identify the issue and restore your AC system’s ability to cool your home.
Before adding more refrigerant, the HVAC technician will check to make sure there is no other damage to your air conditioning unit. This includes checking the thermostat to ensure it is set correctly, as well as inspecting the air filter and electrical panel for issues.
Refrigerants are toxic and can cause serious health problems if they come into contact with your skin or if they are breathed in. It’s best to leave the job of refilling your air conditioner to a qualified HVAC technician, and it will usually cost less than trying to do it yourself. This will save you the time and expense of buying specialized tools, protective equipment, and a canister of refrigerant, which is expensive enough on its own.
After ensuring there is no other problem with the air conditioning unit, the HVAC technician will turn off the power to it. They will then attach a gauge manifold and hoses to the system’s pressure ports. The low pressure hose is normally blue, and is connected to the suction line (the larger of the two pipes). The high pressure hose is red, and it is attached to the compression port on the thin copper line.
They will begin to add the refrigerant by closing the manifold and releasing it slowly, while also watching the pressure gauge. They will continue to do this until the needle is close to the correct subcool, and then test it again while the system is running.
If the AC repair is successful, the refrigerant will move through the compressor and into the condenser coil. It will then cool the air and distribute it throughout your home. The air will feel much cooler and fresher, and your HVAC technician will be able to confirm that the refrigerant is working properly by retesting the system.