Here are 10 Things You Need to Know About Air Conditioner Repair
If you own an air conditioner, you should also know that maintenance and repairs are part of that ownership. We have compiled a list of ten things that we regard as necessary knowledge about the repair side of air conditioners.
1) Why Regular Maintenance and Annual Checkups are Essential
A quality AC unit is designed to work for many years, but regular maintenance is required to achieve this longevity due to their environments. If routine care and annual checkups are not performed, the system will experience a buildup of dust, salts and minerals, and moisture – causing frequent breakdowns.
2) Fire and Health Hazards
HVAC units that are not regularly cleaned tend to run hotter than the average designed operating temperature, which can pose a fire hazard under certain conditions. Heat is also beneficial for the growth of bacteria and molds, especially in humid regions. These bacteria and molds then find their way into the forced air flowing into the house and cause severe respiratory illness.
3) Self-maintenance Tasks and Repair Options
You should arrange annual servicing and repairs to the AC system by a qualified HVAC technician. There are, however, some tasks that the handy homeowner can perform. These self-maintenance tasks include regular washing and replacing the air filters and cleaning the evaporation coils to remove dust and grime. Familiarity with the parts of the system will also enable the owner to perform a cursory check on the current state of all the components and arrange for preventative repairs.
4) The Question of Repair or Replace
All quality HVAC units can be repaired to a certain extent. However, when faced with a major repair operation, it is best to consider the general age of the air conditioner and the state of the other parts. New AC units are also more energy-efficient than models manufactured ten or fifteen years ago.
5) Three Mechanical Signs Indicating Repairs are Necessary
Mechanical signs that there is something wrong with the air conditioner may seem like a pretty obvious point. Unfortunately, many people miss these indicators, only realizing something is wrong when the HVAC system completely fails. If any of the following signs are present, please consider calling the repair service:
- Frequent start-stop cycles.
It is normal for an AC unit to cycle through an on-off state when working. However, an increased frequency in the cycle is probably an indicator that the unit is experiencing a crisis. - Water leaks.
The AC unit and its components should not leak water, except through the proper drainage pipe. Owners should investigate the presence of water anywhere else in the system immediately. - Unusual noises.
Modern AC units are pretty quiet during regular operation. Any increase in the noise output or new noises, especially clunking sounds, regularly means a problem is present that might result in a catastrophic failure of the air conditioner.
6) Three Air Quality Signs Indicating Repairs are Necessary
In contrast to the mechanical signs, the air quality signs indicating that repairs are necessary are much more insidious and not immediately noticed. These include:
- Insufficient airflow.
Various factors may cause a low airflow rate into the room, including leaky air ducts, clogged filters and bad fans. - High humidity.
The HVAC system should lower the humidity to a comfortable level, but a slow increase will possibly result in mold growth inside the ducts. - Warm air.
Most people expect an AC unit that is not properly cooling the air to work harder, resulting in increased power consumption and possible overheating of the unit, which is, in turn, a fire hazard.
7) Is it the AC Unit That is Broken?
Owners should consider the influence of other factors on the efficiency of their AC systems before looking for the fault with the unit. For example, keeping the doors inside the house closed will prevent the natural flow of air, thereby creating pockets of warm and cold air. Leaving the doors slightly ajar will fix this problem.
8) Make Sure the AC Unit is the Correct Size
This issue is probably the biggest cause of frustration for homeowners: having installed an AC unit that is too small in operational size. Such a unit will have to work harder than the correct size and require more frequent repairs.
9) Before Calling the Repair Service
Sometimes when an AC unit is experiencing problems, the solution is a thorough cleaning of the accessible components, with the buildup of dust the more common culprit. Modern AC units often feature self-diagnostics and a reset option. Follow the troubleshooting instructions in the owner’s manual before calling the repair service, as it might just be a minor bug in the system.
10) How to Choose an Air Conditioning Repair Service
The company that installed or upgraded your HVAC system should be the obvious choice when requiring an air conditioner repair service. Failing that option, recommendations for a reputable HVAC service that routinely work for your AC unit brand are the best choice.