Summertime is great when you have a fully functional central air conditioner as it significantly mitigates the scorching heat.
However, air conditioners tend to break down from time to time. Landmark air has the solutions for all your air conditioner problems.
They specialize in installations and the repair of central air conditioners problems including:
1. Refrigerant Leak
Freon is the most commonly used refrigerant. While refrigerant use is common at the moment, it is set to be banned permanently due to government regulations that aim to protect the environment.
Theoretically, a refrigerant should not get used up in a central air conditioner. However, this is not always the case.
Leaks are the major cause of refrigerant loss. Such leakage can greatly reduce the cooling capabilities of a central air conditioner.
Refrigerant leaks force the air conditioning (AC) unit to operate at unusually high levels to make up for the deficit in the refrigerant level.
Corrosion of the tube housing the refrigerant is one of the major causes of leakage.
Other causes can include improper installation of an AC system, defective manufacture of the tubes and negligent handling, and wear and tear of the tube.
A hissing sound is one of the first signs that your AC coil is losing the refrigerant.
Humidity and a sharp increase in your electrical bills are also reliable indicators of a leak.
Do not attempt to repair an AC leak on your own. The refrigerant may be harmful to your health, causing throat irritation and other symptoms like an elevated heart rate when inhaled. Contact a professional immediately to resolve this issue.
2. Water Leak
Central air conditioners produce water as part of the cooling process. The coil inside the AC unit is kept at alternate temperatures i.e., hot and cold.
Repeated evaporation and condensation of the substance inside the coils happens repeatedly, which leads to cooling.
This cycle of condensation and evaporation leads to the cooling of the surrounding air.
The coils also extract some moisture out of the air, leading to condensation. This water produce is normal and not cause for alarm.
However, a large amount of water may be a cause for concern.
Changing the air filter is one of the quickest ways to resolve this problem. Dirt and other contaminants can block these filters hence causing abnormal water leakage.
It is crucial to remember that a central air conditioner working in weather temperatures of 16 degrees Celsius or below can be problematic.
Under such conditions the coils may freeze, thereby leaking water. If the water problem persists, call in a professional to fix it.
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3. AC Unit Making Loud Noises
A normal central AC unit produces a quivering sound when starting up. Even when running, there is a regular murmuring sound.
This is to be expected with a unit in good working condition. A sharp, screeching sound, however, can mean there is an issue with the fan belt or the bearings in the motor of the condenser.
Sometimes, odd sounds that may mimic shredding could also suddenly develop.
Regular replacements of the filter can help avoid this problem. If such sounds persist, call in a professional to take a look at it.
4. AC Running Continually
Your air conditioner should have a set pattern; it should go on and off intermittently multiple times in an hour.
This cycle helps to regulate your thermostat temperature settings. However, if your AC unit is running non-stop then this could indicate a problem.
Ensure to check the filter. If this is not the issue, then your unit may require cleaning or some other repair, like a refrigerant leak. Call a professional immediately.
5. Bad Smell
A central AC unit tends to circulate the air in a particular room. This means that any present smells, like cigarette smoke, can get distributed throughout the room.
Beware of burning or the coolant, which can cause an unpleasant smell. In case of such smells, turn off your unit and call HVAC repair.
6. AC Unit Blowing Hot Air
An HVAC unit blowing warm air could indicate several problems. As usual, the filter may need replacement.
Perhaps the thermostat needs a little retuning. Sometimes, a tripped circuit breaker in the condenser could be the problem.
Call a professional repairman if all the above do not resolve the hot air problem.
7. AC Unit Freezes Up
A frosty central air conditioning may seem ideal during summer; however, it may end up costing you much in terms of the repairs needed.
Do-it-yourself solutions like changing the filter and adjusting your thermostat can do the trick.
Sometimes, a faulty fan or a leak may be the problem. Call in professional help.
8. Neglect
It is usually a good idea to carry out regular maintenance on any sensitive equipment, including a central AC unit.
True, maintenance costs money. However, this cost of maintenance pales in comparison to the enormous repair bill (or replacement) you will incur if your unit breaks down entirely.
Ensure to schedule regular AC maintenance to prolong your AC unit’s working duration.
9. HVAC System Keeps Tripping the Circuit Breaker
Your house circuit breaker helps to protect your house from dangers like an electrical fire.
If your AC unit keeps tripping it, this may indicate an incompatibility between the electrical consumption capacity of your AC unit and the handling capabilities of the circuit breaker.
It is advisable to call a qualified technician immediately to resolve this issue.
10. Your AC Unit is the Wrong Size
An AC unit not matched to your room’s size could cause problems; an oversize unit will decrease the room’s temperature faster than is suitable while an undersized one will never provide adequate cooling.
Ensure to get qualified people to handle all aspects of proper AC installation.
11. AC Unit not Cooling
An AC unit that runs but does not cool the room can be exasperating due to summer temperatures.
Obvious causes could include a thermostat that is not set on “cool”, vents that are obstructed by objects like furniture, an air filter clogged by dirt, among others.
Once you have run through all these obvious things but the problems aren’t resolved, call in a professional technician to take a look.
