Air conditioners tend to be hard-working electrical appliances. If you live in a region with a hot climate, your air conditioner is going to take most of the brunt as it helps make the environment comfortable for you and the entire family. As a result, the unit can sometimes run into problems that require quick fixing. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of these issues and are left stranded until an HVAC repair service can visit. Follow below for a list of some common emergency AC issues along with troubleshooting tips to keep things moving.

Severely Clogged Air Filters

The air filter is a minor yet significant part of an AC unit. Most of the time, it goes unnoticed or ignored because homeowners tend to underestimate its importance. As the term suggests, air filters are specifically designed to filter air. This means that before the air is circulated inside the house, it is purified by the filters as they trap contaminants, dirt, dust, and toxicants.

With time, dealing with air, air filters can become clogged, which will force them to do the opposite. Eventually, you will have toxicants and contaminants entering your home since the air filters will not be able to block them anymore due to clogging. Therefore, keep an eye on the filters to avoid health complications and airflow issues that can create big problems if left ignored.

The good thing is that air filter cleaning is simple and easy. You just need to remove the air filters, wash them, and reinstall them. However, if your air conditioning unit happens to be old, you might want to replace the air filters if they are cracked or damaged.

Then again, air filters are not that expensive. But they might look the same with varying quality. This means that you should either consult the manufacturer or simply an expert when it is time to replace them.

Ignored Thermostat Problems

The next important factor or issue you need to consider is the thermostat. Modern air conditioners come with pre-installed and programmable thermostats. The thermostat communicates with the ECU and sends signals to the components inside the unit.

Coupled with smart features, modern air conditioners do a pretty good job of ensuring less power is used. But, if your AC unit was recently serviced, it might be that the thermostat has lost its calibration. While modern AC units are effective and efficient, they can be complicated at times as well.

For instance, accessing the thermostat is one thing, and fixing it is another. If you observe that the air conditioner is not able to achieve the desired temperature, it most likely means that it is experiencing a calibration issue. In such a case, you should call in a professional for AC thermostat calibration.

Furthermore, if you have installed an aftermarket thermostat, it might be that it needs battery replacement or has simply malfunctioned. In such a case, you will need to replace either the batteries or the thermostat itself.

Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks are also a common issue in ac units but can happen due to a variety of reasons. If your air conditioner happens to be old, there might be cracks, rust, or damage causing the refrigerant to leak. But, if your air conditioner is new, it might be that it was recently serviced, maintained, and reinstalled appropriately.

Either way, your air conditioner is going to leak gas and struggle with cooling your house. Not only that, the compressor will bear the stress as well and it will work harder than usual to make up for the loss. Sometimes, it may be hard to determine where the gas is leaking from because multiple parts of the AC can leak refrigerant due to various reasons.

Therefore, you will need the help of AC repair services Huntington in this matter as they use their skills and special tools to check the pressure and identify the source it is leaking from.

Coils Issues

Air conditioners come with two types of coils i.e. condenser and evaporator coils. The evaporator coils are responsible for absorbing heat from the air and pushing it through the ducts as cold air inside your house. The evaporator coils are located in the air handler.

The second type of coils are condenser coils. They are present in the outdoor unit so they debris buildup is common on them. This is another reason why you should give importance to regular inspections, cleaning, and maintenance of your outdoor unit and the entire HVAC system.

Keep in mind that coils are not cheap and tend to last long if maintained. If the coils are overheating, your AC might trip. The good news is that you can clean them yourself and also check if there are any visual signs or symptoms.

Make sure that you turn off the air conditioner and let it cool down. Wear protective equipment and process with caution with the user manual on your side.

Strange Noises

If you hear strange noises coming from your air conditioner, it could be concerning. Air conditioners while running tend to produce a normal humming sound but if you come across squeaky or other noises, it means there is a problem with the unit. Sometimes, air conditioners tend to produce noises that indicate loose components.

With time, the screws and bolts can become loose and cause vibration. This means that if you hear clanking or rattling noises, you should immediately turn off the air conditioner and inspect it. Furthermore, air conditioners can also produce strange noises if there is an obstruction.

If the outdoor unit is installed near bushes and trees, there is a high chance that dead branches and leaves end up inside the unit causing obstruction. This is why it is important to place the outdoor unit away from things that could damage or affect it.

There have been many cases where dead branches and shrubs came in contact with the outdoor fan resulting in damage. During extreme conditions, you should be very careful about such factors. Before you can turn on the unit, you should perform an inspection to make sure there is nothing that could potentially damage the unit.

How To Prevent AC Issues?

The best way to avoid common ac issues is by scheduling professional maintenance. You might think it is only about cleaning the unit but professional maintenance goes deep inside the unit. The professionals look for any unusual signs that might become a potential problem in the future.

Plus, professional maintenance can be a bit expensive as well especially if your air conditioner has not been maintained in a while. However, it is an investment you make to keep troubles at bay because you don’t want your AC system to break down in hot days. With scheduled maintenance, your air conditioner’s lifespan is also prolonged and you don’t have to worry about issues arising otherwise.

Conclusion

Air conditioners are designed not only to be efficient and smart but also long-lasting. However, you must be aware of the basic issues along with the troubleshooting tips. On top of that, having an air conditioning repair service Smithtown checking up on the unit and ensuring it always runs trouble-free will be worth your investments for years to come.