We may still have a decent number of summer days left, but soon enough temperatures will drop, and we’ll start focusing our attention on the cooler weather, and therefore our heating systems. This doesn’t mean you should forget about your air conditioner though!
There are a few key areas of your air conditioner where the technicians on our staff see problems with more often than other parts. This is especially true near the end of summer after your air conditioner has been working day in and day out. You’re at less of a risk of problems if your air conditioner had maintenance done by a reputable HVAC company in Bethel Park, PA, but you could still run into some repair needs, that should not be ignored.
“But I DID Have Maintenance Done! I Shouldn’t Need Repairs”
We wish we could say that maintenance helps your air conditioner work absolutely flawlessly throughout the entirety of its lifespan, but this just isn’t the case. While maintenance absolutely helps you avoid the biggest and most sudden repair needs, some components of your air conditioner are put to a lot of use and therefore wear out just as a natural part of operation. But what are some common repair needs you might face as summer progresses on?
- Compressor Problems: The compressor of your air conditioner is essentially the heart of the system. It’s in charge of pressurizing the refrigerant, so that heat releases outdoors. The compressor has its own motor, and a good deal of electrical wiring. The compressor is one component that works extremely hard, so different problems can develop. For instance, you may run into a motor issue or an electrical flaw. The compressor is a very complex component, and since refrigerant runs through it, only a qualified HVAC technician should handle it.
- Fan Issues: Your air conditioner has two fans within it—the evaporator fan (which you may know as the blower fan) and the condenser fan (which resides in the outdoor unit). The condenser fan helps remove the heat from your system will the indoor evaporator fan pushes the cool air into your ventilation system. Common issues that can develop with these fans include worn belts, motor problems, and loose or bent fan blades.
- Refrigerant Leaks: There is a fairly common misconception among homeowners that refrigerant is something that is supposed to deplete from your air conditioner like gasoline does from a car. However, this is not the case. If your air conditioner is losing refrigerant, it means that you have a leak that must be accurately located and repaired. Otherwise, your system simply cannot effectively and efficiently cool your home.
- Thermostat Problem: If the compressor is the heart of your AC, the thermostat is its brain. The good news, however, is that thermostat problems are often the easiest, and least expensive, to fix. It may be that the thermostat’s batteries died (we know this seems apparent, but go ahead and check just in case) or it may be that it’s an old thermostat whose wiring needs an upgrade. Our team will be happy to inspect and figure out whatever the problem is!