It’s been a long, hot summer since your air conditioning in Alpharetta, GA got a break! Even if you got maintenance before the start of the season, there’s been a lot of wear and tear going on for the last few months. There are certain issues your air conditioner is more likely to encounter in late summer. Here’s what to keep an eye out for.
Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser is the outdoor unit of your air conditioner. This is where the refrigerant flows after it has absorbed heat from inside your home. As it flows through the condenser coils, the refrigerant releases that heat. It’s critical that there be good airflow and ventilation around the condenser unit, otherwise the heat won’t have anywhere to go, and the refrigerant will still be too warm when it gets back to the indoor unit. If the condenser gets caked with lawn clippings or dust and dirt, that acts as insulation and prevents the heat from dissipating. This mess can be gently washed away with a garden hose. Just don’t use a high-pressure nozzle or you’ll risk damaging the unit. If there are any shrubs whose summer growth has brought them too close to the unit, those should be trimmed as well.
Capacitor Failure
Capacitors are like batteries that holds extra power, which needs to be released all at once when the compressor starts up. Capacitors aren’t components that lasts forever, and high heat can make them wear out sooner. Luckily, they are not expensive or complicated to replace.
If a capacitor has failed, you might notice hard starting (the compressor coming on with a bang instead of a gentle hum) or even the air conditioner tripping the circuit breaker. If these things happen, get repairs right away, because you definitely don’t want to damage the compressor, which is expensive and complicated to replace.
Blower Fan Problems
The blower fan in the indoor unit, and the motor that powers it, have been working nearly non-stop all summer. It’s no surprise that they might be struggling! Low airflow from your vents, a clattering noise, or the air conditioner turning itself off and on again too frequently can indicate a problem with the fan or motor. These things can be straightforward to repair, but allowing the air conditioner to keep operating while it struggles can put strain on the compressor which, again, you do not want to damage.
Frozen Coils
Sometimes, the condensation which naturally develops on the evaporator coils of your indoor unit starts to freeze in an icy coating. This could be the result of the dirty condenser coils mentioned above, but can also be caused by a clogged air filter. Don’t scrape at the ice! Simply turn off the unit and allow it to melt. Make sure the condenser coils and the air filter are clean. If the problem persists, there’s a high likelihood that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Get that checked out right away, because this is a problem that will only get worse.
Reach out to Wall Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. to make an appointment.