4 Common Air Conditioning Problems to Look Out for This Summer

In many parts of the country, summer temperatures can get pretty high, and if your air conditioning system happens to break down, the heat can become quite unbearable. This is the last thing you want to happen when the summer heat starts to build up. If you don’t want to get stuck in that sticky and sweaty situation, you better call an HVAC technician as soon as you encounter any of these common air conditioner problems.

1. Dirty Air Filters

The more your heating and cooling systems run, the faster your air filter will get dirty. That’s just a fact that you need to be prepared for. Most one-inch-thick filters are designed to last for about three months before they need to be replaced, depending on your air conditioner usage and the dust buildup in your home. Pets, kids, and traffic in and out of the house can all contribute to a dirty air filter. Once your air filter gets too dirty, just as the temperature outside hits 90 degrees, you may need a replacement filter sooner.

As a general rule of thumb, check up on your air filters regularly and see if they need to be cleaned or replaced. You should replace your air filters every 30-60 days. This ensures good air quality inside your home, prevents clogged air filters, and helps your air conditioning ductwork function much better, especially in the summer months.

2. Refrigerant Leaks

Another common AC problem during summertime is the sudden drop in your cooling system’s refrigerant levels. A refrigerant leak in your system could probably cause this. Since the refrigerant is the main component of your AC that helps remove the heat and humidity from your home, it can be quite a problem when a leak occurs. Unfortunately, refrigerants aren’t something you can just buy from a store and add to your air conditioner unit. You need the help of an HVAC technician to find the leak, repair it, and replace the lost low refrigerant. It’s the only way to have your AC unit up and running again.

3. Clogged Drains

An air conditioning unit creates condensation as they work, which typically isn’t a problem because it’s usually removed via the condensation drain. However, problems start to arise once that condensation drain becomes clogged over time, leading to water backup and leaks. This can easily damage your AC system if left unchecked for a long time. You’ll also start to smell an unwanted musky stench created by the water leak, which can lead to mold growth. Mold can become dangerous for a home’s indoor air quality. It’s best to call your local HVAC technician as soon as you can to fix the problem before it gets worse.

4. Dirty Condenser Coils

When there’s too much buildup on your air conditioner unit’s condenser coils, they can’t function that well. This leads to low operating efficiency, making your AC unit struggle to keep your home cool and remove the heat from the inside. If it gets to this point, it’s better to call for air conditioning repair as soon as possible before your HVAC system sustains any lasting damage due to those dirty condenser coils.

Regular Maintenance Can Solve Common Air Conditioner Problems

Scheduling regular maintenance on your air conditioner unit can help homeowners with some of the most common air conditioner problems they may have. Regular maintenance is a tune-up on the cooling system that ensures it’s working correctly and efficiently. It’s recommended to have a tune-up every start of spring for cooling systems and every beginning of fall for heating systems. It’s also best to have a tune-up if you have issues with a squealing noise, central air distribution, water leaks from an outside unit, and your AC unit starts to blow warm air. 

An air conditioning service tune-up will inspect and perform any AC repair for the following parts:

• Compressor inspection
• Evaporator Coil cleaning
• Capacitor servicing
• Blower Motor airflow
• Condenser Unit accessibility
• Condensate Drain (along with drain line systems)
• Condenser Fan Motor
• Electrical Connections (along with circuit breaker connections)
• Thermostat Assessment (along with thermostat settings)

It is never recommended for a homeowner to attempt to DIY a solution when they stop receiving cold air. Trust an HVAC expert to perform all the troubleshooting techniques for your outdoor unit and get the cool air you need.

Homeowners face many problems when it comes to heating and cooling, especially during summer. While these are just some of the most common air conditioning problems you’ll probably experience, most of them can be quickly resolved with the help of your HVAC repair specialists.

If you need emergency HVAC services, rely on Xcalibur Services to solve all your heating and cooling problems. Our expert technicians perform heating, duct cleaning, and air conditioning repair in Birmingham, AL. Get in touch with us to get prompt and reliable HVAC service when you need it.

Published: May 20th, 2021