Beat the heat this summer
Sometimes your air conditioning unit fails to work when you need it the most. When this happens during summer, you may be forced to call a contractor. But what if you had the tips to repair some of the common faults that affect your AC system? With a few fine skills, a bit of logical thinking, some technical knowledge and common sense, you will be able to correct a defect before the contractor comes. Here is a look at some of the common problems of the AC and tips on how you can solve them.
- When the conditioning doesn’t cool well – This is a common problem experienced by AC owners. There is so much you can do about such a system and among them is making sure the thermostat is set to the right temperature. Such a simple setup might be the problem. If it persists, you should check if the circuit breaker has tripped.
An AC that doesn’t cool might be due to power supply, so check if the outlet’s voltage meets your AC’s requirement. If everything is perfect, you should then switch off the system, remove the filter and clean it.A clean filter allows air to flow easily. While at it, you can also clean the compressor and condenser with a damp cloth. Do not use a water faucet in this case. The compressor should be working if you expect the AC to cool. If it is functioning properly, you will be able to hear the outdoor compressor and the fan will be in motion. If nothing seems to work then it’s time you call a technician. - When water drips and pools around the base of the AC – Sometimes the water that’s formed due to condensation and leaves the air handler through the pipe could be a defect that’s making your AC not function properly. It is important to understand that dripping in most cases is caused by leaky pipes that need to be replaced. Blocked pipes that need cleaning may also be the reason. This is something you can do. You should be careful when disconnecting the pipes.
In some cases, condensation can occur when the pump in the AC responsible for the transfer of hot air into the condenser becomes non-functional. If this is the case, then you will be forced to seek the services of an HVAC technician. - Chunks of ice forming in your AC – Chunks of ice forming in your AC especially during summer can be a major default in your system. There are a number of reasons why ice is forming in the system. The main reason why this may be happening is because the indoor unit’sevaporator coil is frozen and cold liquid refrigerant is flowing to the outside unit through the refrigerant line freezing up the entire unit. To rectify this problem, simply switch off the AC and turn on the fan to melt the ice.
The other reason why there are chunks of ice in your AC could be due to a dirty filter. If the filter is not clean, it hinders the flow of air over the evaporator coil and this causes it to cool and eventually freeze. The best solution to this cause is cleaning the filter regularly. If this problem persists then it’s time you check the vents.Blocked supply and return vents affects the flow of air to the evaporator coil which results to the formation of ice. You should check the system and make sure the vents are not clogged by cloths or any piece of furniture.
It is important to understand that issues like refrigerant leaks, clogged evaporator coils and malfunctioning indoor blower should be repaired only by a qualified AC technician. - The AC producing some weird noises – When there are weird noises coming out of your AC then it means the system isn’t functioning as it should be. There are certain types of noises you should be keen of. They indicate that something is wrong with your AC. For instance, when your system is producing rattling sounds, it means that the fan is loosely fixed. In this case, you can open the AC and tighten the screws, wipe the blades and check if there is any bent blade that may be striking the interior part of the unit.
Friction normally causes screeching noises. When such noise is produce, it means there isn’t enough oil in moving parts of the unit. Prevent the occurrence of the squeaky sounds by lubricating the AC motor. You should do so at the start of each summer or when you need it most.
If there is a vibrating noise, then it means there are a few loose screws in your AC. This is a problem you can solve by yourself. You only need to tighten them with a screwdriver. However, if there are issues like clicking noise caused by a defective compressor or a buzzing noise caused by a faulty compressor then you should consult a trained technician to handle it.
You should understand that the above repair tips are not too hard to follow if you are keen. You just need some time and patience to fix them up and you won’t run the cost of hiring a technician. In case the defect isn’t something you can handle, make sure you contact a professional and see how he fixes the problem. You may not need him next time.