Appliance Repair Service: 4 Causes Of Air Conditioner Problems

Posted on: 24 October 2022

An AC delivers optimum indoor conditions as the outdoor temperatures keep soaring. However, your system will be more vulnerable to breakdowns as it ages. More so, your unit will wear down faster when you neglect maintenance. In most cases, a neglected AC can give out suddenly and cause an uncomfortable atmosphere. Thus, it is best to have an AC appliance repair expert check your unit for possible malfunctions and fix them for seamless operation. The following are common causes of air conditioner problems.

Low Refrigerant

Your AC appliance depends on the refrigerant to absorb heat and dissipate it outdoors. You should know that the refrigerant circulates in a closed loop and does not deplete with use. Thus, if your unit has less than desired cooling output, the refrigerant could be leaking. A leak often springs from holes in the aging or deteriorating refrigerant line. If the leak is severe, you will hear a hissing noise and notice ice build-up on the evaporator coils. In such a case, it is paramount that you ensure a line patch and that you regas your system to restore cooling. 

Frozen Evaporator Coils

The evaporator coils facilitate heat exchange between the warm air and cold refrigerant. However, if the refrigerant leaks, it may cause the pressure in the system to dip. In addition, the coils may freeze if dust build-up impedes heat transfer. As a result, you will experience a warm airflow from the vents since frozen coils cannot facilitate heat exchange. Moreover, malfunctioning evaporator coils will hinder dehumidification, hence high humidity levels in your home. Given this, you must ensure clean coils and proper refrigerant levels to aid proper heat exchange. 

Dirty Condenser Coils

The outdoor unit houses the condenser coils, which expel heat from the refrigerant. Despite that, the condenser coils are subject to infiltration by outdoor elements such as plant matter. As such, these elements can accumulate on the coils and restrict heat expulsion. Consequently, the system will retain the heat, causing the compressor to burn out. The good news is an expert can remedy this issue by ensuring enough clearance to aid ventilation. In addition, they will clean your outdoor unit to ensure your condenser coils function as needed. 

Leaky Ducts

The AC ducts are pathways through which cool air from the outdoor unit travels to your indoors. However, the ducts experience constant expansion and contractions due to temperature fluctuation. This may lead to the duct material deteriorating and developing leaks. As a result, air will escape to the unconditioned spaces, causing a diminished cooling output. With this in mind, you must ensure regular duct inspections to catch and remedy leaks as they appear. 

Please note that a well-maintained system will deliver optimum temperatures. Thus, you should schedule routine AC tune-ups with a licensed appliance repair contractor to service your unit for optimal performance. For more information, contact a company like Northshore Appliance Repair Inc.

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