Air conditioning systems rely on regular maintenance to work efficiently and effectively. A professional can catch and fix small issues before they become bigger problems.
Air conditioning maintenance involves inspecting the system to identify signs of wear and tear, servicing what needs service, and repairing any components. This helps restore the AC to full functionality. Click the AC Repair Orlando to learn more.
Refrigerants are a must-have for cooling your home, but they’re not indestructible. Like any machine, they can experience a certain amount of wear and tear over time, resulting in cracks and leaks. A few key signs of refrigerant leaks include puddles on the ground, hissing sounds from inside your home, and low airflow.
There are several common causes of refrigerant leaks, including vibration, corrosion, and weakened rubber seals around valves. Even the most thorough AC maintenance can’t prevent these issues entirely, but it does help.
The evaporator coils in an AC unit are notorious for leaking, especially at the “U” bends and welded joints. These areas are susceptible to mechanical vibrations, which can cause the copper pipes to rub against each other. This creates formic acid, which eats away at the pipe over time, eventually creating a leak.
Leaks can also occur from straight-up physical damage. If you’ve recently had any major construction work done on your home, the copper lines for your AC could have been accidentally ripped or cut during the renovation. The vibrations from these activities can stress welds and joints, causing them to crack or break.
Another common issue is poor installation, which can result in a lack of proper insulation for the pipes. This leads to hot spots, which aren’t conducive to the proper functioning of an air conditioner. These problems are easy to spot, but the right HVAC technician can fix them easily and affordably.
One final reason to watch out for leaking refrigerant is that the R-22 coolant used by older model air conditioning systems has been discontinued. As a result, the supply is dwindling and prices are increasing. This means it may be time to upgrade your air conditioner.
If you think you have a refrigerant leak, you should call an HVAC professional as soon as possible. They’ll find and repair the leak, then restore the correct level of refrigerant to your system. This is far safer and more effective than simply adding refrigerant, which can make the problem worse. Plus, recharging your AC with the incorrect refrigerant can damage it or make it unresponsive.
Faulty Components
When the temperature is high, it’s essential that your air conditioner is working properly. This is why professional maintenance and annual inspections are so important. Whether you have a standard or ductless system, the highly skilled technicians at King know how to spot potential issues before they become serious problems.
A common AC repair issue involves the fan or condenser unit. If you notice that there are strange noises or smells coming from these components, it’s time to call in a technician. It may be a sign that they are damaged or that there’s an electrical problem.
One of the most common problems that require immediate AC repairs is a tripped circuit breaker or blower belt. It’s a simple fix, but it’s important to turn off your AC and call a professional if this occurs. This prevents any further damage to the system and helps reduce the chance of further breakdowns in the future.
Another common AC repair problem is low refrigerant. This is often caused by a faulty sensor that causes the compressor to believe that it is not receiving enough cooling power. This can be corrected with a reprogramming of the thermostat, but it’s best to have this repaired by a professional.
It’s also possible that your air conditioning unit has a loose or dirty coil. Dirty coils can cause the compressor to overheat and fail, resulting in reduced cooling capacity and higher energy bills. In order to avoid this, make sure to regularly clean your air conditioner’s outdoor unit and keep surrounding vegetation trimmed back.
The evaporator coil in your air conditioner works similarly to a sponge in that it absorbs heat from the home’s air and then releases it outdoors. If this coil is covered in dust or other debris, it can block the flow of refrigerant and reduce the cooling capabilities of your air conditioner. While you can remove some of this debris yourself by hosing down your unit and brushing the outside of it, this is often a job best left to a professional AC repair technician.
Worn Bearings
Bearings wear out for a variety of reasons. Insufficient lubrication is one common cause. This causes the bearings to work harder to overcome friction, which shortens their lifespan. A lack of lubrication can also increase the temperature of a bearing, which can damage it further. Slight shaft misalignment can also force bearings to deal with loads that they weren’t designed for, reducing their lifespan.
Unusual squeaking noises are another sign of worn bearings. This is most often seen in motor bearings, and it occurs when the bearings are working too hard to compensate for an imbalance in load zones. The resulting friction causes a squeak that is heard during cooling cycles.
Other signs of worn wheel bearings include uneven tread wear and an increase in steering wheel or vehicle vibration at higher speeds. Excessive vibration may become more noticeable during cornering and braking, which can impact handling and safety. Worn wheel bearings can also cause premature wear on other components like struts and rotors.
Improper storage or handling is another leading cause of bearing failure. For instance, leaving a box of bearings open can expose them to dirt and other contaminants. This contaminates the bearing, which increases friction and heat. It can also reduce the load zone size, which leads to overloading and fatigue.
Poor storage can also lead to improper lubrication, which reduces bearing lifespan. Using the wrong type of lubricant can cause premature wear or corrosion, which damages the bearings. In addition, improper handling can expose bearings to dampness and varying temperatures. Lastly, bearings stored outdoors can be exposed to UV radiation, which can damage the surface of the bearing.
Keeping track of bearing wear is essential to extending the life of this vital component. Regular vibration monitoring can help detect issues before they lead to catastrophic bearing failure. In addition, a documented lubrication schedule can ensure that the right amount of lubricant is used and applied properly. Using high-quality seals and following manufacturer specifications is also crucial to protecting bearings from damage. By catching these problems early, you can keep your AC system running smoothly.
Unpleasant Smells
While cranking up the AC in your home offers a welcome summer oasis, unpleasant smells circulating through the vents signal that something is amiss. From musty mold growth to burning plastic and electrical system issues, funky odors are the first warning signs that your AC may need repair or replacement. Professional air conditioning maintenance addresses odor-producing problems before they escalate into systematic breakdowns.
Musty odors often indicate the presence of mold on the evaporator coil or in ductwork, which needs cleaning or replacement. In more severe cases, the odors could be caused by an overheated compressor or an electrical short in the blower motor. Both of these problems could pose serious safety hazards if you continue to run your system until an AC technician can visit.
If you detect an odor that smells like burning rubber or burnt plastic, it means that one or more components in your unit are on fire. It’s important to turn off your air conditioner immediately and seek emergency services. The smell may also be the result of a pest infestation that requires professional extermination.
A chemical or fishy odor can also mean that the refrigerant is leaking into the unit’s motor or another warm component. This is a major problem that should not be ignored, as some forms of refrigerant are toxic and can harm your family’s health.
An odor that smells of sewer or rotting meat usually means that the condensate drain pan and connected PVC lines are clogged with sewage and debris. This is a serious plumbing problem that requires professional intervention before it becomes a much more serious health hazard.
The stench of rancid eggs may indicate that the air filter is dirty or has not been replaced in a while. A clogged air filter allows the buildup of lint and dirt to reach the inside of the unit, where it can become moist and encourage the growth of unhealthy bacteria and certain types of molds.
It’s crucial to regularly clean or replace your air filter and conduct regular HVAC maintenance in the fall for the heater and spring for the AC to prevent these issues. Additionally, homeowners can prevent odors from developing by keeping the area surrounding their air conditioning units free of trash buildups, sewage leaks, pet waste, rodent nests and other sources that may infiltrate their ductwork.
