It’s the middle of summer, the hottest week of the year, and your A/C stops working. What do you do? HVAC service calls increase significantly during a heatwave and our schedules can fill up fast. Rather than waiting for something to go wrong at the most inopportune time, get ahead of some of these common summer HVAC problems.
Clogged filter – This is a very common issue. Air filters naturally become clogged over time because dust, dirt, and other allergens get sucked through it as air is circulated around your home. You should change your air filter regularly so that your system doesn’t have to work so hard to push air through a clogged filter. How often you change it depends on the type of filter you use, the number of people and pets you have living in your home, where you live, etc., but many HVAC professionals recommend replacing the filter every 30-90 days. If you go too long without changing your air filter, your HVAC system could fail to cool your home or worse, it could cause damage that could result in costly repairs and higher energy bills.
Fan malfunction – Your outdoor A/C is responsible for getting rid of the hot air from your home. The fan is normally situated on the ground outside your home or on the roof, and it is encased to be protected from outside elements, like wind, debris, rain, etc. However, if the case around the fan becomes damaged or if the fan blades are bent or broken, the fan could malfunction and throw your whole system off. Debris is a typical cause of a fan malfunction. If you hear a clicking noise or any type of unusual sound when the fan is running, this could indicate an obstruction. It is imperative to check around the outdoor unit and clean or clear away any debris before you turn on your A/C for the first hot day of the season. Keeping up with seasonal HVAC maintenance will ensure that a technician has prepped your indoor and outdoor A/C so that it is good to go all summer long.
Refrigerant leaks – You may notice that your system isn’t cooling your home even after running the A/C for a while. Or there might not be cold air blowing at all when you hold your hand up to the vent. This could be a sign of a refrigerant leak. An integral part of the A/C process, refrigerant absorbs hot air, runs it through condensers and evaporators, and then returns cool air through your vents. If there is a leak due to corroded coils or condensation buildup, the A/C may not cool your home sufficiently. Unfortunately, the fix isn’t as easy as just adding more refrigerant because it will probably just continue to leak, so a professional should be brought in to assess the situation and administer a solution.
If you’re looking for just a summer tune-up or a full evaluation of your A/C’s performance, call American Star Total Home Comfort at (847)321-7704.
