As we move into spring and eventually summer, it’s hard to deny how important air conditioning will be. It feels like lately, we’ve had blistering hot summers here in Ohio. How can we prepare?
Well, during the colder winter months, there’s a good chance you didn’t turn on the AC. This is pretty normal, of course. Unfortunately, this is when we can start to run into maintenance issues.
If you want to learn more about Logan A.C. Repairs in Dayton, make sure to stay tuned. We’ll be exploring what causes issues in air conditioners, as well as how we can get them easily fixed.
What Causes A.C. Issues?
Air conditioners can break down or require repairs for a variety of reasons. Let’s cover some of the common ones, just to keep things simple.
Lack of Maintenance
This is perhaps the most common issue. If we don’t perform routine and regular maintenance, issues can arise. Examples of this include cleaning or replacing filters.
If you aren’t sure, it doesn’t hurt to bring in a professional contractor to inspect your A.C. once every year or two. That way, you can avoid major problems or catch them early.
Refrigerant Issues
As you can read about on this page: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6023817/, refrigerant issues can also cause maintenance problems for air conditioners. One instance of this is if there are low refrigerant levels. This is typically the result of leaks.
What’s the end result of that sort of problem, though? Often, it causes the system itself to have to work harder. That can eventually result in failure.
Electrical Failures
Problems with electrical components can be pretty disastrous. That’s probably not a surprise. Some examples are faulty fans, capacitors, or thermostats. Any of those things could cause the whole system to stop functioning.
Clogged Drain Lines
At first, it may seem strange that this can cause an A.C. malfunction. You’d be surprised, though, how impactful it can be. When condensate drain lines become clogged, it can lead to water damage. That water damage in turn often causes higher humidity.
What’s the big deal with that, then? Well, higher humidity again means that your unit will be pushed harder. Over taxing a unit can easily lead to failures and other malfunctions.
Dirty Coils
Both the evaporator and condenser coils can accumulate dirt and debris. As you can imagine, this isn’t ideal in either scenario. It can lead to reduced efficiency and overheating in some cases.
Age of the Unit
Of course, the age of the A.C. unit can also be a big deal in this sense. You can read more about it in this article. Older air conditioners tend to require more repairs, at the end of the day.
Unfortunately, they also tend to run at reduced efficiency. Wear and tear over time has this impact. Don’t worry – you don’t necessarily have to have it replaced. Just be mindful of the increased maintenance requirements.
Blocked Airflow
The final issue we’d like to talk about here is blocked airflow. Obstructions in the airflow can impact performance. That could be from furniture blocking vents or a buildup of dust and debris in the duct.
How and When to Get Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your air conditioner is crucial for ensuring efficiency, longevity, and reliable performance. That much is probably obvious, though. How do we know when to seek out a professional, though?
Here in Dayton, Ohio, there are plenty of options on that front. Local contractors are often readily available to perform these tasks. You can find them online, even. Some of the resources we’ve provided might help with that.
Let’s dig into when you might need to do so, though.
Seasonal Maintenance
We hinted at this above, but seasonal maintenance is a big part of keeping an A.C. functioning properly. Overall, it’s a good idea to schedule maintenance in the spring. That way, you can have it done before the blazing summer heat.
Annual Maintenance
To an extent, this goes in tandem with our previous point. Still, it’s worth mentioning this separately. Ideally, you should have a professional technician perform maintenance at least once a year. This helps catch potential problems early and keeps the system running efficiently.
Filter Changes
Sometimes, it can be tempting to try to make D.I.Y. projects out of these things. However, when it comes to an air conditioner, that’s usually not advisable. This goes for filter changes as well.
Check and replace or clean the air filters every 1 to 3 months. If you notice a critical issue, it’s probably a good idea to call in a professional. They can change it safely and quickly for you.
Now, any unusual smells that you notice are also a good reason to call a contractor. In fact, any odd behavior from the unit can be a problem. Better safe than sorry, in those cases!