Air conditioners are designed to give maximum comfort and make life easier for every homeowner. With the summer heat looming over us, you expect your AC to keep your home from being hot and uncomfortable. However, AC issues do occur and occasionally an air conditioner can malfunction.
When you experience any issues with your AC system, contact Skylands Energy. We offer repairs, installations, and AC tune-ups. When you schedule a routine maintenance checkup or any other HVAC service, we will provide you with high-quality service at an affordable cost.
As mentioned above, your AC, just like any other machine, will eventually experience some issues. Problems typically occur during the summer and as an air conditioner ages. Our team of NATE-certified HVAC contractors is here to make sure that your air conditioning unit stays in excellent shape and is ready to provide the comfort that you deserve. Call us today for a free estimate. We service Raritan NJ and the surrounding areas.
Below, we discuss some issues that homeowners may experience with their air conditioning unit from time to time.
Common AC Issues That Homeowners Experience
Table of Contents
Faulty Wiring Installation
Exposed Wiring
If there are exposed wires in your air conditioning unit, then you need to contact a professional to have the wires repaired or replaced immediately. Exposed wires allow moisture to seep into the cooling system. This exposure will cause further damage to the air conditioner unit. Not only that, but exposed wires may also cause electrical shorts that will quickly cause fire into your residence.
Intermittent Power
Air conditioners are equipped with safety defenses. These defenses are triggered to stop functioning when electrical current rises too high. When this occurs, your circuit breaker will trip.
Also, if you notice that your AC’s outdoor fan stopped working right after it hits its peak speed, then you may be experiencing intermittent power. Faulty wiring causes this and needs to be checked by a professional technician immediately.
Thermostat
If the AC’s exterior unit is not functioning correctly, this might be an indication of a faulty thermostat. Also, the air conditioner could cycle erratically due to the thermostat sensor getting knocked out of place. Your home will not feel comfortable because the thermostat will not have the ability to signal your air conditioner to turn on or off when necessary.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
The evaporator circulates the refrigerant vapor at 40 degrees. This temperature is ideal for it to extract the heat from the air that passes through the coils.
However, when the evaporator coil is malfunctioning, the refrigerant vapor’s temperature drops, forming ice. This component is not meant to be so cold that it causes ice. However, once it does, it only triggers more ice to form. This situation eventually blocks and encases the coil in ice. A frozen evaporator coil usually leads to overstraining the compressor and/or overheating.
Clogged Air Filters
Particulate, debris, and dust buildup can accumulate in your A/C’s air filter. The unit will strain to work harder so that air can pass through the dense dust buildup.
This additional effort will affect your cooling system’s overall functionality. Not only that, clogged air filters can trigger some respiratory illnesses such as asthma and allergic reactions. Also, the thick layer obstructing the air filter is a fire hazard.
It is better to check your air filters and replace them when they are dirty. Not all homes are alike and some require more frequent filter changes than other homes do. Many factors determine this such as pets, the location of your home, among others. It is wise to check your filters monthly and change them when they look dirty.
Refrigerant Issues
Refrigerant Leaks
The refrigerant is a substance or mixture used in the AC’s refrigeration cycle. Several factors can cause refrigerant leaks. It is a common mistake to assume that merely adding more refrigerant is the solution. Contact a professional HVAC technician to fix the leak, repair the cause of the leak, and charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant.
Low Refrigerant Charge
The refrigerant charge should match the manufacturer’s specification exactly. A low refrigerant charge diminishes the AC’s cooling capacity, resulting in the compressor motor to overheat. Also, a reduced refrigerant charge can also cause your evaporator coil to freeze. Your home will feel uncomfortable.
Overcharged Air Conditioner
Too much refrigerant can also impact your A/C system’s operational capabilities. The main risk of having an overcharged air conditioner is permanently damaging the air conditioner’s compressor. The extra refrigerant accumulates inside the compressor, leading to damage. Temperatures fall below normal within the unit, known as subcooling. Moreover, the excess coolant could overflow, damaging the compressor’s mechanical components.
Inadequate Maintenance
Regular maintenance is needed for your AC unit to function as effectively and as cost-efficient as possible. It requires an annual tune-up by a licensed HVAC technician. There are also other tasks that the homeowner is in charge of such as air filter replacements, keeping the outdoor unit free from obstructions, keeping air vents open, and more.
Neglecting the necessary preventative maintenance such as cleaning the air filter, and checking for leaks, among others will lead to faster wear and tear of your unit. It also leads to significant utility bills. Not only that, the air conditioning unit experiences more issues, leading to high repair costs.
Raritan HVAC Contractors
For reliable HVAC solutions, make sure to contact Skylands Energy. Our skilled and experienced HVAC technicians deliver quality service to ensure your satisfaction. Whenever you have an issue with your air conditioner, you can trust us to quickly diagnose it and find practical solutions to remedy the problem.
Skylands Energy provides a full range of services to cater to all your HVAC needs. All of our HVAC services come at reasonable costs. You will find that we work promptly, are friendly, and deliver excellent work. Our quality of service and pricing is why we outshine all of our competitors. You can also call us for fuel delivery service, plumbing services, and other types of home comfort services. Call us today to schedule a free estimate for your home.
Some of the areas we service include Bridgewater, Martinsville, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08836, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.
Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!