Although there are potentially hundreds of reasons why your Columbia home’s central air conditioner may need to be looked at by a certified contractor, there are a few reasons that are fairly common. Knowing what they are may create some personal understanding what a technician means when they discuss the routes for fixing the problem. Here are the 5 most common problems that may cause your air conditioning system to break down. Check out the list below and consider whether your home has any of these issues. If so, schedule an HVAC inspection.
- Faulty AC wiring
Incorrect, haphazard or uncertified A/C wiring is unsafe and a probable fire hazard. Bad wiring can prevent the system from getting power or can pop the circuit breaker.
- Your Air Conditioner is Low on refrigerant
Refrigerant (also known as Freon) is the chemical that cools the air within your air conditioning system. Low refrigerant could indicate a leak or problem with the refrigerant system. If your air conditioning system needs to be recharged with refrigerant, 90% of the time that means there is a leak. All refrigerant leaks should be located and repaired. To read about the phase out of R-22 refrigerant in the United States, we suggest that you to visit the U.S. EPA website.
- Outside AC fan is not working
The outside fan is responsible for moving the heat from your Columbia home to the outside air. If the fan on the outside unit doesn’t operate properly, proper heat transfer is not taking place and the air conditioning compressor may overheat and trip the safety overload. The consequence of this action could result in internal damage to the compressor.
- Outside air conditioner unit not functional
This often indicates a significant reduction of power, contactor problems or even a faulty thermostat.
- Frozen coil
A frozen coil typically indicates an issue with the airflow, such as restrictions caused by old air filters or blocked return air ductwork. Frozen indoor coils could also be the result of low refrigerant.
Experts recommend that the most convenient way for a Columbia area homeowner to prevent these expected problems is by participating in a preventive maintenance program. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and airflow problems can be found during routine maintenance tune-ups. For all these common issues, a professionally qualified, NATE-certified technician can efficiently diagnose the problem area and make the necessary repairs. Call or contact us today for an evaluation!