Air conditioning systems create a comfortable home environment that is healthy for those living within. Regular maintenance will extend their lifespan and help avoid an expensive breakdown during an intense heatwave.
When your cool air stops flowing through your vents, replacement may be required. Before calling a professional to replace them however, there are a few considerations you should keep in mind before making the call.
Check the Vents
After spending time outdoors in the heat and sun, nothing beats coming home to feel cool air flowing from your vents. If this feeling doesn’t exist for you, it could be an indication that your home ventilation system requires repair; here are a few potential culprits that could be at play here.
One common air vent blockage issue is closed vents wasting large quantities of conditioned air and preventing your home from cooling effectively.
It’s easy to forget opening vents after closing them on cold days; toys or drapes may block airflow as well. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct a visual inspection of all vents within your home and identify any obstructions which might be blocking them so as to keep all vents functioning efficiently.
Home ventilation issues often include a clogged thermostat. Dust, pollen and allergens can build up in it and prevent proper functioning; in these instances a professional can often clear away obstructions to restore proper functionality.
Check the evaporator fan of your air conditioning unit regularly to make sure it’s operating effectively. If it stops spinning, that could indicate an overheated condenser coil which needs cleaning or replacement by an experienced technician in order to prevent damage to its compressor.
Check the Power
Faulty power cords or outlets are one of the easiest AC issues to diagnose. A multimeter can help you quickly assess power supplies by monitoring where main lines connect from outlets into air conditioning units.
A meter is an affordable tool any do it yourselfer should keep handy; every home repair kit should include one. Make sure that both connectors on each air conditioning unit meet 240V (this standard requirement for running the system); once these two connectors have 240V readings they should be ready to go! You can click the link: https://www.circuitbasics.com/what-is-voltage/ to learn more about voltage.
One common reason your air conditioning may not turn on is due to its circuit breaker being tripped, usually when multiple appliances are in use at once or following a storm. You can try resetting them yourself; however, professional help should always be sought if the issue persists.
Your outside unit’s drain pan could also be full of water, which will trigger the safety switch that shuts it off. A quick and simple fix would be to clear out its drain line using a wet/dry vac; taking preventative steps against this being an ongoing problem is vitally important.
Check the Coolant Levels
Your air conditioner relies on coolant (also referred to as refrigerant) for effective heat transfer between inside your home and outdoors, and outside. Without enough coolant in its system, an AC cannot perform its task correctly, leading to all sorts of other complications and even physical harm to its internal components.
Once you have collected all the necessary tools, locate and open up your compressor. There should be a clear tank which stores coolant. Check its level against what it says on its type plate – if it falls too low you must get it recharged.
As another telltale sign of low coolant levels in your home, ice or frost-covered vents could indicate insufficient refrigerant transfer to either your evaporator coil or condensate drain line – which indicates low coolant levels in general. To rectify this situation, have a professional recharge your system.
Check the Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil in an air handler is responsible for extracting heat from your home’s air and cooling it before redistribution. Over time, however, its coil may become dirty or damaged; such an issue could force your AC to work harder than necessary. If you notice your electric bill is higher than usual, it may be time to repair your air conditioning in Columbus, Ohio for energy efficiency. Professionals can assist you in this task.
Corrosion is often the culprit behind malfunctioning evaporator coils. You may notice oily residues accumulating in your evaporator pan or on its surface as evidence of trouble; should this occur, call an HVAC professional immediately for help.
Another symptom of a dirty evaporator coil can include strange sounds coming from your unit. Hissing or banging noises could indicate that refrigerant is leaking out or it is striking other components within your system, leading to it leaking.
An evaporator coil that has become dirty may prevent your AC from absorbing heat effectively and lead to freezing conditions – leading to potential systemic failure in both components and system itself.