4 Common Summer AC Problems

Each season brings a new challenge, and this summer, as temperatures continue to rise; the challenge is to try and stay cool inside your home or place of work.

Here at Air Tech of Conroe, we hope that you’ve succeeded in staying comfortable these past few months. If your air conditioner has taken a turn for the worst and has been less than subpar, listed below are the four most frequent AC repairs that can happen during the summer.

Let us help get these frequent issues resolved before you’re sweating and needing an AC repair in Conroe.

The Most Common AC Problems During The Summer & What Causes Them

1. Run Capacitors

Did you know that failure of the run capacitors is currently one of the most common breakdowns of AC units? A run capacitor’s job is to help the motor in your air conditioning unit to start up and run throughout its cycle.

Run capacitors tend to fail when temperatures are at their highest in your area. Additionally, they often fail without warning.

Although capacitors are likely to break down in extreme temperatures, it should be noted that it is possible to diagnose a weak capacitor before a breakdown.

2. Your Refrigerant Is Low

Most homeowners don’t ever fear their AC unit having a refrigerant leak, but it can happen. Traditionally, your AC circuit should be a sealed system, meaning you never have to add anything to it. However, it isn’t uncommon to get a small leak in your unit which will require more refrigerant – typically during the cooler months.

An unfixed leak can become an expensive problem, especially due to the rising prices of freon and your unit working harder to keep you cool.

It should be noted that if you ignore a leak, it will get larger over time. Because of this, it is recommended that homeowners should get a leak check done if they feel their system is low and in need of a repair or replacement.

3. Ignoring Dirty Filters

During hot summer months, your air conditioner is working overtime, meaning your air filters are getting dirty more quickly than usual. Most one-inch-thick filters should be replaced every three months, but this depends on the type of environment your home has. Do you have pets, children or hardwood floors? Replacing your filters every three months suddenly turns into replacing your filter within weeks of each other.

To save money on your HVAC system, consider purchasing a “middle-of-the-road” pleated air filter. These air filters help capture dirt brought in from pets, children or traffic in and out of the house without making your system work overtime.

4. Chances of a Motor Failure

Motor failures are not the most common but are one of the most expensive repairs on an HVAC system. They can fail due to any of the items listed above, including clogged drains and dirty AC coils.

Motors fail when they overheat and shut off due to a failed capacitor, the compressor is damaged when the lack of freon overworks a unit and dirty equipment puts stress on the motor to accurately do its job.

To prevent any of these problems from happening, make sure to schedule an AC service in Conroe for a diagnosis of your HVAC system, and always keep your equipment clean and maintained for extended life.

Quick Fixes

If you suspect something is wrong with your HVAC system during a heat spell, you may end up waiting several days for a technician to come and diagnose the problem. Luckily, there are DIY solutions you can try to troubleshoot your system. Below are some items you will need.

Tools Required:

• Adjustable wrench
• Voltage tester
• Drill/driver – cordless
• Socket/ratchet set
• Insulated screwdriver
• Nut driver
• Multimeter
• Needle-nose pliers

Materials Required:

• Capacitor
• Fuses
• Compressed air
• Contractor
• Condenser fan motor

Conduct Tests

Make Sure It’s Not The Furnace

If your air conditioner is no longer cooling your house, first make sure that your furnace isn’t the problem. If after turning your thermostat to AC mode and lowering the temperature setting, your furnace fan kicks on, your furnace is not the problem, and you should contact a professional.

Turn Off Your Power

Remember to turn off your AC and furnace breakers in your main electrical panel before you decide to pull the outdoor disconnect or remove the access panel to the condensing unit. Take precautions and use a voltage tester on the wires that are linked to the contractor to double-check that the power has been shut off.

Contact Air Tech of Conroe

If you’re in need of an AC repair, AC installation or other HVAC services, contact the pros at Air Tech of Conroe in Conroe. We’ll make sure that it’s fixed right or it’s FREE!