Many of the issues that air conditioning technicians address during maintenance appointments are minor problems with easy fixes. However, if they aren’t addressed quickly they can turn into larger, more expensive problems. Reach out to AC Repair Round Rock TX for expert assistance.
Capacitors are another AC component that is prone to failure. During maintenance, the technician will turn off the system, drain and replace the capacitors, then turn the unit back on.
The evaporator coil lives inside the air handler or furnace unit and plays an important role in your AC system’s cooling process. It absorbs heat from the indoor air by converting refrigerant from liquid to gas, and then it blows cool air back into your home. Without this key component, your air conditioner wouldn’t be able to perform its essential function.
If your air conditioning system is older than 10-15 years, you might need to replace the evaporator coil due to normal wear and tear. The best way to know when this part of your system needs replacement is to have a professional evaluate the system. A technician can identify any issues, assess the evaporator coil’s condition and recommend any necessary repairs.
A clogged or dirty evaporator coil can cause a number of cooling problems. The most common issue is reduced efficiency due to a buildup of dirt, dust and other debris that reduces the coil’s ability to absorb heat. This buildup can also cause corrosion and refrigerant leaks, which can further deteriorate your system’s performance.
Other signs of a failing evaporator coil include the presence of frost or ice on the coil, unusual noises from the air handler or furnace unit and a rising energy bill despite normal usage. Hissing or bubbling sounds are often a sign of a refrigerant leak, and it’s a good idea to contact a professional for help immediately.
Whether the evaporator coil is being replaced or repaired, it’s always recommended to use an OEM replacement to ensure proper compatibility with your air handler and furnace unit. Non-OEM coils may not have the same Btu rating or physical dimensions as your original coil, which could lead to a variety of other cooling issues.
A failing evaporator coil can be caused by erosion, corrosion or simply normal wear-and-tear over time. Other factors that can contribute to a faulty evaporator coil include the use of cleaning products and old forms of refrigerant, which corrode the evaporator coil’s inner lining. These issues can lead to refrigerant leaks, which require a complete system replacement.
Blower Motor
Unusual sounds coming from your HVAC unit can indicate a problem with your blower motor. The motor is a critical part of your air circulation system, as it pushes heated or cooled air through dashboard vents based on your thermostat settings. This ensures your home stays comfortable without overworking the system. In some cases, your blower motor may need to be replaced completely.
The motor is a large, cylindrical component that sits inside an enclosure with holes. It is a crucial piece of your furnace, and its failure can lead to insufficient air flow and other problems.
If you notice an unusual odor, electrical fire or burning smell, turn off the blower motor immediately and contact your local heating and cooling professional for AC repair. These signs can indicate that the motor is overheating and about to fail, which is a dangerous situation requiring immediate intervention from a qualified technician.
Other common signs of a bad blower motor include reduced airflow from the vents and high energy bills. The motor works harder when a malfunction occurs, resulting in increased energy consumption and causing a breakdown.
The blower motor contains a number of different components, including fan blades and bearings. The bearings are what keep the motor running smoothly to generate air movement without producing excessive heat or noise. If the bearings wear out, your blower motor will not function properly and will need to be replaced by a new one.
Another common problem is debris in the ductwork that snags or scrapes the fan blades. This can damage the fan blades or cause them to become out of balance, which leads to excess noise and heat.
To avoid such problems, you can use a rag to clean off dust and dirt from the motor, shaft and fan. You can also give the fan a light spin to check for signs of damage or obstruction. If you see these issues, call your local HVAC contractor for a blower motor replacement. The professional installation of a new blower motor can help reduce your energy bills and improve your indoor air quality.
Contactor
In addition to the fan motor, air conditioner contactors play a vital role in keeping your home cool by switching power on and off to the capacitor bank and blower motor. If the air conditioning system is having trouble turning on or if it’s constantly cycling, the problem may be related to a failing contactor.
A good way to test for a bad contactor is by looking for signs of pitting or electrical arcing on the contacts of the device. These signs indicate that the device has failed to properly close or open a circuit, and you should immediately seek professional AC repair services.
If you don’t see any physical damage, you can check the status of your contactor by turning off the power to your air conditioner and then opening its access panel. After you remove the wires and unscrew the contactor, you can use a multimeter to test its continuity. A multimeter is a tool that measures electrical current, and you can find one at most hardware stores. Connect the probes to both ends of the contactor’s coil and the terminals, then read the meter’s display. If the reading is OL, the contactor has likely failed and needs to be replaced.
While a failing contactor isn’t the most serious issue with your air conditioner, it can be extremely inconvenient if you don’t get it fixed. Aside from the obvious cooling problems, humidity levels in the home can also become high. This can lead to health issues such as mildew and mold, and makes it feel hotter in the home.
A professional AC repair service can help with all of these issues, and they will inspect your entire system to ensure that the air conditioner is functioning as it should. The technician will also perform HVAC diagnostic techniques such as refrigerant leak detection, thermostat calibration, checking ducts for cracks and blockages, and testing electrical components like conductors and capacitors. If they find that the contactor isn’t working properly, they can replace it quickly and easily. It’s a simple repair that shouldn’t take more than an hour, and won’t leave you without your air conditioning for very long.
Thermostat
The thermostat is a crucial part of any home heating and cooling system. It controls the system by switching it off and on based on pre-set temperature preferences set on its interface panel. This device is relatively simple to operate and maintain, but like all mechanical devices, it can experience issues with its operation that may require AC repair services.
Thermostat problems are usually quite simple to diagnose. First, check the circuit breaker to make sure it hasn’t been tripped. A tripped breaker can cause the air conditioner to stop functioning or act erratically, and can be reset with relative ease. If the problem persists, it may be time to call in a professional to conduct a routine assessment of the system’s components. This will include a visual inspection, testing of electrical components such as capacitors and contactors, a refrigerant level check, and thermostat calibration and inspection.
Using an external thermometer, you can also test whether the ambient temperature in your home matches the reading displayed on your thermostat. If you feel that the temperatures are different, it’s likely that your thermostat is faulty and requires repair or replacement.
When integrated with a smart controller through IFTTT, your thermostat can even send you notifications that alert you of changes in your home’s ambient temperature. This is particularly useful if you are out of town and forget to turn the thermostat down before leaving.
In addition to assessing the status of the thermostat and its sensors, an experienced AC repair technician will check for any new inhabitants living inside the unit. This is a common problem during the winter months when birds and other small animals look for shelter from the cold. If these critters are allowed to live in the unit, they can damage the fans and blower motor. An experienced technician will be able to find and remove these creatures from the unit without causing further damage to the system. This is a crucial step in the process of AC repair because it prevents unforeseen repairs down the line. It is best to catch these pests early before they start damaging the unit.