Although there are potentially hundreds of reasons why your Central Texas air conditioner may need repairs, there are a few problems that we see more often than others. Knowing what they are may help you to understand what a technician is referring to when you need to discuss the options for correcting the problem.
Here are five of the most common issues that may cause your A/C to break down or stop functioning at its peak.
1. Faulty wiring
Improper, haphazard or uncertified A/C wiring is dangerous and a potential fire hazard. Bad wiring often prevents the system from getting power, or can trip the circuit breaker. If you suspect this is the problem, check your breaker and then call a professional to check your system, and replace or rewire any faulty wiring.
2. Low refrigerant
Refrigerant (more commonly known as Freon) is the chemical that cools the air. If the refrigerant is low, there may be a leak or some other problem with the refrigerant system. In fact, most of the time a leak is to blame when a system needs to rechargedwith refrigerant. All refrigerant leaks should be located and repaired by a trained cooling system professional.
3. Outside fan is not working
The outside fan is responsible for transferring the heat from your home to the outside air. If the fan isn’t running, proper heat transfer is not taking place and the air conditioning compressor could overheat and trip the breaker. Worse yet, it may also cause internal damage to the compressor. It’s important to have someone address this problem as soon as possible so as to prevent further damage.
4. Outside unit not functional
This usually indicates a lack of power, contactor problems or even a faulty thermostat. You’ll need to check breakers, wires, connections and the thermostat to know definitively.
5. Frozen inside coil
The most common problem facing homeowners cooling systems not working is a frozen coil. This often indicates there could be a problem with the airflow, such as restrictions caused by dirty air filters or blocked return air ductwork. Frozen indoor coils could also be caused by low refrigerant. A trained cooling professional will be able to pinpoint the problem and get you back to cooler temps in no time.
An Ounce of Prevention…
In many cases, the only way a homeowner can prevent these common problems is by participating in a preventive maintenance program. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and airflow problems can be detected during routine maintenance tune-ups. For all these common issues, a1st A/C Heating and HVAC technician can quickly diagnose the problem area and make the necessary repairs.
1st A/C Heating and HVAC diagnoses, repairs and replaces air conditioning systems in Austin, TX, Buda, TX, Kyle, TX and San Marcos, TX. The 1st Team of Specialists have the experience and know-how to get your air conditioner back on track.