Does your house feel hot and muggy even though the air conditioner is running? Does it seem like your AC unit can never reach the temperature programmed into your thermostat? When summer comes to northeast Florida and Daytona Beach, your cooling system will be working overtime to keep your home cool and comfortable. Unfortunately, all of that strenuous work can spell trouble for your air conditioning system. There are a whole host of problems that air conditioners can fall victim to during hot weather. Some of these issues can be easily solved at home, while others require professional AC repair. In either case, it’s a good idea to know common AC problems during summer and what you can do about them. Keep reading to see our quick guide on what signs to look out for.
1. Dirty AC Filters
As your air conditioner runs, the air filter prevents debris from entering the machine by catching it in a disposable mesh filter. Over time, this filter becomes clogged and dirty. Dirt, dander, pollen, pet hair, and dust will make their way into the filter and prevent air from passing through it as easily as a clean filter. A dirty filter will cause your cooling system to work harder to push air through the mesh. This can result in issues like component failure, higher energy consumption, and premature system failure. That’s why it’s important to replace the filter every three months at a minimum. If you have pets or live in a high pollen or dusty area, you may want to change the filter even more often.
2. Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a liquid that removes hot air from your house and transports it outside, which causes your home to feel cooler during the summer. Low refrigerant is usually caused by a leak or a low level of refrigerant added during installation. Topping off refrigerant levels should restore your unit’s performance, but keep in mind that if a leak is present, the level will drop again. If you suspect you have an AC refrigerant leak, a professional technician can inspect your equipment and determine how best to fix it.
3. High Energy Bills
It’s normal to have higher energy bills during the summer months since your AC unit will be working hard to cool down your home. If you’ve lived in your house for a couple of years, then you probably have an idea of what a “normal” energy bill runs. A sudden spike in energy costs could be a sign that there’s a problem with your air conditioner. A faulty thermostat might be to blame and should be the first place to look.
4. Not Enough Cooling
An AC unit should be able to cool down your residence to your desired temperature with ease. So, if your house feels hot even though the system is running, something is wrong. There could be a mechanical issue, or the unit may be the wrong size for your property. If the appliance is too small for your house, you may notice hot spots in different areas of your residence. The unit will also struggle to meet the temperature you programmed into the thermostat. This problem can be solved by replacing the old unit with a correctly sized air conditioner.
5. Fan Malfunctioning
Unlike a furnace, an air conditioning system includes an external unit that’s exposed to the elements. Debris like dead grass, leaves, and twigs can enter the system and either bend or jam the fan. This is most likely to occur if the casement around the fan is damaged or was improperly installed. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to prevent this problem by keeping the area around the unit clear of plants and debris.
6. Frequent Shutting Off
It’s normal to hear your cooling system cycle on and off throughout the day. But, if the appliance is constantly switching off or seems unable to sustain operation for more than a few minutes, that’s indicative of a problem called short cycling. This issue is usually caused by dirty air filters or faulty wiring. If short cycling occurs over a long period of time, it can damage the unit’s compressor, which is a costly issue to repair. You can count on our AC technicians to repair any damaged components or install a hard start kit to restore normal cycling.
7. No Cool Air
Your AC unit may sometimes turn on like normal but not produce any cool air. Typically, this happens when the connection between the thermostat and the outdoor unit is interrupted. This could mean your thermostat batteries have died or that the thermostat itself needs to be replaced. However, this issue can also be caused by low levels of Freon gas and electrical disconnection. If this is the case, an HVAC technician can restore the connection and have your system running smoothly again.
8. AC Won’t Start
This is a homeowner’s worst nightmare, especially on a scorching summer day. So what causes an AC unit to not turn on? It depends, and some of the issues are much easier to fix than others. Simple fixes include changing the thermostat batteries and making sure a circuit breaker didn’t trip. If those solutions don’t fix the problem, then it’s time for a professional to inspect your equipment. Our AC repair technicians in Daytona Beach will examine your unit and determine the best way to fix it.
9. Noisy Components
Rattling, thumping, and banging are all sounds that a healthy air conditioner doesn’t make. In many cases, these alarming sounds indicate a problem with the blower or motor. Other times, the culprit is a faulty belt or damaged motor bearing. These are all issues that a trained technician should handle since they’ll have to replace a damaged component. However, before you call the professionals, you should check the exterior unit to make sure it’s not clogged with debris. Leaves or twigs stuck in the fan blades can make a smacking sound. Try to carefully clean away the debris to see if that fixes the issue. To prevent the problem from reoccurring, you can remove any shrubs or grass from the immediate vicinity around the unit.
Daytona Air Conditioner Services
Do any of the above signs sound familiar? If so, you may have an AC problem on your hands. Luckily, many common air conditioner issues can be solved with a simple fix like a fresh air filter or new pair of batteries. For everything else, you can count on the experts from McGowan's Heating & Air Conditioning. Our technicians have provided top-notch cooling and heating services in the Daytona Beach area for more than 40 years, including repairs, maintenance, and installation. Our technicians are NATE-certified, and our company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have. To schedule service, simply give McGowan's Heating & Air Conditioning a call today!
