California is heating up, the last thing you want is to turn on your central air conditioner on a 90-degree day only to discover that it doesn’t work.
There are a number of issues that can plague an AC system at any time due to its size and complexity. If your central home AC system is broken, there may be more than one issue.
You should first check if the AC system is actually damaged or if the issue is due to a simple user error. Read on before contacting a professional.
AC Unit Won’t Turn On
First, make sure your thermostat is working properly. When a thermostat is malfunctioning, the entire AC system will stop working.
The circuit breaker can also be the culprit if the thermostat is not the problem. Check the circuit breakers inside the house and outside near the AC system. Before attempting to reset it, try to figure out what might have triggered it. Don’t flip the breaker repeatedly if it trips again. Have a professional diagnose and fix the problem.
Plants growing around your air conditioner could also be the cause of your unit’s failure. It is easy for grass, leaves, and debris to become sucked into the vents of your unit, damaging the capacitor. Calling the professionals is necessary if you believe this might have been the case.
The Air Conditioning Unit Is Making Noise
While the unit is running and cool air is being blown from the vents into your home, you might hear an unusual rattling sound. Central air conditioners are generally quiet so if the air conditioner is loud, it might be a sign of problems. It is also possible that the AC unit was just poorly installed. Your HVAC contractor can confirm this.
A fan blows air over the evaporator coil to cool it. This air is then blown over the condenser coil fan to push heat outdoors. These fans can break, wear out, or become damaged like any other equipment. If you suspect this is the issue, turn off your air conditioning unit and call a professional.
When dirt and debris accumulate, fan motors can become quite noisy. Motors and belts can also deteriorate over time.
The AC Doesn’t Cool
If you can feel air flowing through your vents, but no cold air is coming out then you might have a clogged condenser coil – the part of the air conditioning unit that produces cold air.
Condenser fans run even if the condenser is not functioning correctly. Condenser failure can be caused by blown fuses or triped circuit breakers.
Low refrigerant may also be the cause of the lack of cool air, and not the condenser. It is dangerous to handle refrigerants yourself. Your air conditioning contractor should be certified by the EPA to ensure your safety.
If the lack of cool air has been gradual or appears to be quite minimal,
then you may not be having a problem with your air conditioner. Ductwork leaks could lead to conditioned air escaping. Air duct sealing may be necessary if your ducts are worn out or poorly installed.
The Condenser Unit Repeatedly Turns On And Off
When the system pressure falls below a certain level, the outdoor condenser unit activates safety controls that shut it off automatically. The system restarts when pressure rises again. Temperature and refrigerant levels in the central home AC system can change the pressure. Your AC contractor can evaluate the safety controls if your condenser is turning on and off.
You might also experience this if your AC is short cycling. This occurs when your AC is unable to reach the temperature set on the thermostat or when it reaches it too quickly. The unit will repeatedly turn on and off without ever finishing a complete cycle.
The AC Doesn’t Cool Evenly In Your Home
To distribute conditioned air throughout the home, ducts are sized to fit each room. There are other variables to take into account, including how much sunlight enters through the windows. Controlling the flow of air between the ducts allows natural heat sources to be managed and the air conditioning evened out.
With the help of your AC contractor, your home’s air conditioning for each room or space can be customized.
Crack Confirmations
If there is a crack in a furnace heat exchanger, it would cause incomplete combustion and cause a buildup of carbon monoxide.
The crack itself doesn’t cause any noticeable effects on your HVAC system but it will cause noticeable effects on your health. Carbon Monoxide replaces the oxygen in your blood. If you start experiencing symptoms like Headaches, nausea, blurred vision, or fatigue that doesn’t come from a known health issue make sure to have your system checked.
If one of our technicians finds a crack we will have a second technician come out and confirm it. When the second tech comes to verify it is referred to as a crack confirmation.
Free Second Opinions will save you money and headaches
When you’re replacing one component to try to fix a whole system issue, you want to make sure that it really is that one component causing all of your problems.
Many companies will diagnose a refrigerant issue just because it is an easy fix to limp a system along when there are bigger issues at hand. A second opinion on another company’s diagnosis could save you and your system in the long run.
The experts at Pacific Aire can help with any problem you’re having with your central home AC system. Our solution is tailored specifically to you and your home with care, professionalism, and accuracy.
Our expert technicians and customer service are among the best in the industry. Whenever your AC breaks down, you can count on us for fast and professional service.
