Time certainly flies, and summer is just around the corner.
One thing that should be on top of your list is preparing your air conditioner to keep you warm and cool in this most exciting season.
But where should you start?
Check out this guide about what you need to know about air conditioner repair to get started.
Also, First things first. Let’s begin with the safety measures you must observe when repairing your AC unit.
What safety measures need to be observed when repairing an air conditioning unit?
If you see cables sticking out of the AC unit, notice a refrigerant leaking, or hear odd noises coming from the unit, immediately take action to address the problem. Get in touch with Cool Guys Mechanical for reliable, top-quality AC maintenance and repair.
Always remember to adhere to the instructions in your AC manual. Otherwise, you risk voiding your manufacturer’s warranty and endangering your life.
Always be cautious.
Turn off all power outlets before beginning to remove screws or work on the wiring if you are servicing the AC. Additionally, you need to be aware that some air conditioners have multiple power switches. Only try to service the AC on your own if you know where all these switches are located.
If your air conditioner has been unused for quite some time, it may contain a lot of dirt and dust, or wire damage and circuitry problems could arise.
These problems may jeopardize your safety if not addressed. While poor wiring might result in electrocution, dust and other contaminants may cause allergies and other health problems. The easiest way to stop these issues from happening is to have your AC tuned up annually by a qualified AC technician.
An AC filter cleans the air that passes through the air conditioning system. Removing pollutants like dust, dirt, and allergens helps make your rooms as comfortable as possible.
However, outdated or faulty filters expose you to dangerous, polluted air. Hence, washing and replacing them as often as required is crucial.
Now that we have covered some safety measures you need to observe before servicing your air conditioner, here are the top things you need to know about air conditioner repair.
1. Health issues
Older or poorly maintained air conditioners are associated with poor health and the spread of various diseases.
Since an air conditioning unit’s internal components constantly produce moisture in the summer, this would typically lead to the growth of molds.
If you see noticeable mold growth or dust accumulation, air duct cleaning is advised.
Molds can spread to the point that it interferes with your breathing if left dormant within the AC system throughout the winter season. If you notice a foul odor in your house, it’s time to take action.
Subsequently, watch out for dust accumulating on blower wheels and motors.
It’s crucial to check on the condition of your air conditioner if you’ve recently renovated your home. Do the following to ensure your and your family’s safety, as well as improve its efficiency:
- Check your ducting as they may become clogged with debris.
- Undertake simple maintenance, like changing the filter, to ensure airflow is operating as efficiently as possible. Allergens, insecticides, and outdoor irritants can enter your home through a dirty filter.
- Make sure that windows and doors are properly sealed to keep warm air from coming in or cool air leakage. This is an excellent method to lower the cost of your air conditioning.
To ensure your and your family’s safety, hire an AC specialist to do a yearly maintenance inspection on your air conditioner.
2. Ducts
If your air conditioner isn’t functioning at full capacity, duct leakage may be the underlying problem.
A leaky duct can consume up to 40% of an air conditioner’s energy, costing you a lot of money. Mastic, a sticky substance that may be painted on ducts, should be used to insulate external ducts properly. Simply addressing the leakage can amplify the capacity of your air conditioner.
3. Coils
Over months and years of usage, the evaporator and condenser coil of the air conditioner accumulate dirt.
The evaporator coil doesn’t get dirty as quickly with a clean filter. However, it will eventually continue to gather dirt, thus reducing airflow and insulating the coil, decreasing its capacity to absorb heat.
Check and clean your evaporator coil once a year to prevent this issue.
Since condenser coils are usually placed outside your home, they will likely get dusty or be surrounded by foliage.
Debris and dirt from your lawnmower, dryer vents, or falling leaves tend to build up near the condenser. To ensure adequate airflow around the condenser, do the following:
- Keep debris and dirt to a minimum near the condenser.
- Clean the vicinity
- Clear away any garbage, and
- Cut back any vegetation by at least 2 feet.
4. Condensers
Set a foot or so of clearance around the condensers (the objects outside your home). This means there should be no invasive shrubs that could obstruct breathing.
Also, ensure to shield the house from direct sunshine. Consider purchasing a screen to protect your condenser from the sun. It has been discovered that exposure to direct sunlight can lower air conditioner efficiency by up to 10%.
5. Compressor Fans
The compressor, fan, and condenser coils are housed in the outdoor unit of your air conditioner.
These components remove the heat from the air and release it outside to create a cool environment within your home. However, heat transfer can be hampered when the external fan isn’t operating correctly. This hinders your air conditioner from cooling your home and overheats your compressor.
Consequently, your safety controls will be triggered by the overheated compressor, thereby turning off your unit. Overheating can also damage the compressor, necessitating advance AC repair or replacement.
An air conditioning repair expert will identify the problem behind the dysfunction and examine the unit further to determine whether the problem has resulted in additional system damage.
6. Fire hazards
A fire caused by air conditioners is more common than previously thought.
It has been linked to several deaths, triple-figure injuries, and hundreds of millions in property damage.
According to a 2016 National Fire Protection Association research, air conditioners result in an average of 20 fatalities, 140 injuries, and $82 million in property damage annually.
The following are some methods provided by the NFPA for preventing air conditioner accidents:
- Safe air conditioning use
- For safety and effectiveness, choose and install cooling equipment.
- Utilize electrical equipment responsibly and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Electric-powered equipment should be frequently inspected and maintained for safety.
- Ensure the label on your equipment indicates that an accredited testing laboratory has tested it.
7. Efficiency
To increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioner, you can do the following measures:
- Lower the internally generated loads on your air conditioner to relieve pressure on your AC.
- Improve your home’s insulation by:
- Blocking off the window
- Using cool roofing to maximize cooling
- Using local exhaust fans that are energy efficient to reduce heat and humidity
8. Filters
A filter stores the airborne particles that have been drawn into your home. As it accumulates more particles over time, resistance increases, and airflow decreases.
The lifespan of your filter is predetermined by how polluted your air is and the size of your filter.
Changing a filter is far less expensive than removing an old one. Failure to replace it and allowing all the debris to accumulate on your evaporator coil leads to eventual failure.
Moreover, filters can even add to pollution when they get too dirty. For good measure, it is best to purchase an air cleaner and a new filter. What an air cleaner does is eliminate dangerous airborne pollutants, boost the effectiveness of your comfort system, lessen odors, and decrease costs.
9. Ventilation
Ventilating and cooling your home are the main functions of an air conditioner.
One of the benefits of proper ventilation is the removal of impurities inside the home. The level of ventilation should be such that the air inside is circulated or changed every four hours.
10. Timers
A great approach to ensure that you’re not wasting energy cooling an empty house is to install a timer. Central units need a programmable thermostat to set the temperature warmer when you are away and colder when you are home.
When you are taking a vacation, avoid totally turning off the system. Once you’ve turned your air compressor off for a while, cooling your home requires a lot of energy.
Looking for quality air conditioning services? Cool Guys Mechanical is at your service! We cater to air conditioner installations, repairs, replacement, maintenance, and more! Book your appointment with us today!
