Modern air conditioning manufacturers design their products to last for years without running into repair problems. As long as the air conditioning systems receive regular maintenance each spring, they should rarely require professional repair service.
But rarely doesn’t mean never. Even the finest air conditioning system from the top brand might lose cooling power or fail altogether. Unless the problem stems from something elementary, such as a mistaken setting on the thermostat, it requires an HVAC professional to diagnose and fix the malfunction.
To help you better understand the AC issues you may encounter, we’ve made a list of the most common ones we see on the job.
Electrical Failures
An air conditioner run from electricity and has complex wiring and components. The amount of electronics in the unit makes electrical failures a frequent issue. Maintenance services always pay special attention to electrical connections, relays, capacitors, and contractors to ensure they aren’t in danger of failing. Capacitors and contactors will eventually die since they’re temporary components, but maintenance can catch troubles before turning into actual problems.
Leaking Refrigerant
After five years in service, an air conditioning system is at a higher danger of developing leaks along the refrigerant lines. This is because household chemicals can start to affect the copper lines and allow corrosion to chew away at their surfaces. Even the smallest leaks have an adverse effect on an air conditioner since a drop in refrigerant levels threatens the compressor with burning out. Technicians must not only find and seal the leaks, but they must also replace the amount of refrigerant that was lost.
Dirt on the Coils
The indoor evaporator coils and the outdoor condenser coils are the spots where the air conditioner absorbs and releases heat. These aluminum coils must remain clean so the AC can most efficiently carry out heat transfer. If too much dust enters the indoor cabinet or outside dirt and debris cakes the condenser coils, it will restrict the air conditioner’s ability to cool down the house. Cleaning the coils requires technicians to detach the coils and use chemicals to clean them off.
Short-Cycling
This describes a behavior that can have several problems at the root. Short-cycling is when the AC’s compressor turns on and off rapidly, rather than completing a full cooling cycle. Short-cycling damages the compressor and wastes energy. It can occur because of a clogged filter, an undersized system, loss of refrigerant, overheating, faulty thermostats, or other issues. Allow a professional to examine the system and find out the source of the short-cycling.
Miscalibrated Thermostat
The thermostat is part of the air conditioning system, even though it’s located on a wall inside the house. If the thermostat becomes miscalibrated so it reads temperatures incorrectly, the AC won’t function as it should. A technician can recalibrate the climate controls, or in some cases may recommend replacing the controls.
When you need repairs for your air conditioning in New Braunfels, TX, simply call Thayer and we’ll be there to help—you can reach us any time of the day or night.
At Thayer Air Conditioning, Your Comfort Is Our #1 Priority! Schedule air conditioner repairs 24/7.
