Regardless if it’s the dead of winter, it’s never too late to prepare for the hot summer season. Everyone knows how draining the heat can be. That’s why we worship our air conditioners. Unfortunately, our air blowing hero is prone to a few malfunctions. So, as our AC units save us during the summer, it’s time to repay the favor by assessing the issues and fix them to our best ability.
Read on to learn five of the most common air conditioning issues.
Blowing Warm Air
Let’s start with the basic of the basics; an air conditioning unit blowing hot air. Having this happen during the summer is something nobody wants to deal with. With that said, there are many reasons as to why this happens.
Here is a small list of factors that cause your AC unit to blow hot air:
- Thermostat – This is a bit silly to say but it does happen. In some cases, the sole cause of an air conditioning unit blowing hot air is because someone accidentally set their thermostat to heat. Always make sure to double-check your settings on your thermostat to prevent this.
- Dirty Air Filters – Your thermostat is set to cool, but you’re still scratching your head wondering why it’s still blowing hot air. It may be because the evaporator coil has become dirty due to dirty air filters. While you can change the air filter yourself, you’ll need to call an HVAC company to come out and clean the coil.
- Low Refrigerant – Having low refrigerant is usually the culprit of an AC unit blowing hot air. This is due to either a shortage or a simple leak. An AC unit requires a refrigerant, like Freon, charge in order to properly cool down your home. If you’re wondering how to notice if you have a refrigerant leak, your AC unit will have ice forming on the inside and outsides of it.
Uneven Cooling
Having an AC running is all well and good, however, it’s neither of those things if the cool air that’s being blown is uneven. The causes of this particular issue can range from a simple glitch to something worse that will force you to buy a new air conditioner.
The following list contains the causes of uneven cooling:
- Blocked Ventilation – Before jumping the gun and calling a repair service, check to make sure none of your vents are being obstructed by something. You want to keep them clear so you can have proper circulation.
- Air Filter Clog – Yes, it’s possible for your air filter to become clogged. In fact, it’s the source of a few other HVAC problems that prevent proper cooling. In order to prevent it, it’s recommended that you change the filter every one to three months.
- Ductwork Issues – Unfortunately, people tend to overlook one of the most important roles in blowing cool air throughout a home; the air ducts. The most common problem of air ducts is leaks. If your air duct has any leaks, the cool air will escape and end up raising the temperature of any air that heads toward the vents. You won’t be able to seal these leaks yourself, so you’ll have to call a repair company.
Leaking Water
Another common problem with an AC unit is water leakage. You may be wondering “How can my air conditioner leak water?” Well, to start, the aforementioned evaporator coil is what causes hot and cold air to blow. In turn, condensation is formed on the coil, dripping into a drain pan and finally going down a condensate drain line. With that said, what are the causes?
The following causes of an AC unit leaking water includes:
- A clogged drain line
- A rusted or damaged drain pan
- The condensate pipe is broken
- Your air filter dirty
- There’s a shortage on refrigerant
To fix this issue, it’s going to require the attention of an HVAC professional.
Strange Noises
As you finally sit down next to your AC to enjoy the cold air, you may find it difficult to relax with all the noise it’s making. There are two noises that an AC unit can make; buzzing and squealing. If you hear any of these two noises, it’s because there are loose parts within the device, the isolation feet are either broken or missing or the compressor is broken. If you’re experiencing this problem, again, you’ll have to call a repairman unless you can fix it yourself.
Take Preventive Measures
Having a faulty AC unit in the blazing heat is a nightmare come true, especially if you live in dry areas. If you’ve experienced one or more the problems listed above and have had it repaired to no avail, it’s time to buy a new AC unit. Purchasing a new one may seem a little pricey, however, it’s best to keep in mind that with all the money you spend or spent, on repairs, you could’ve bought five new AC units.
With this information in your drain pan, you’re now prepared to tackle the hot, dry summer air!
AC Masters of Mesa, AZ was founded on the principle of providing Phoenix area residents and businesses the highest level of service at affordable rates.