While Washington isn’t known for scorching summers, some of us still can’t take the heat. You might already be gearing up your air conditioner for the tail-end of spring.
If your AC system struggles to deliver cool air, underlying causes may need addressing. Various AC issues may cause inefficient, unreliable, and sub-par quality cooling.
If you want cool air all summer without paying an arm and a leg for better quality, you must remedy whatever ails your air conditioner.
Here’s everything you need to know about air conditioners and their most common issues in springtime.
Does Your Air Conditioner Have Problems?
Are you surprised by the warm air from your air vents? Is your air handler unusually noisy or smelly? Do you see any leaks?
While signs don’t always come in the form of these manifestations, you can still tell when there’s something wrong with your AC systems.
Are there any surges in your energy bills? That’s odd, considering it shouldn’t be that hard to cool a home anywhere in Washington.
If you suspect, there’s something up with your AC unit; it’s best to trust your instincts. Your gut is telling you something. It would be prudent to trust it since it already brought you here.
The Most Common Cooling Issues During Spring
There are various kinds of air conditioners available in the market. Along with the variety of HVAC types are different problems and possibilities.
While we can’t single out exactly what your air conditioner’s problem is, we can help you winnow it down. It’s unlikely your air conditioner has an unknown and irreparable problem anyway.
Have you or are you encountering any of these AC issues?
- The outdoor unit violently vibrates.
- The entire air conditioner abruptly stalls.
- Indoor air handlers or air vents produce warm air.
- Indoor air handlers, vents, and outdoor units leak.
- You receive inexplicably higher energy bills.
- The air conditioner is unresponsive to thermostat controls.
- Your air conditioner won’t turn on or off on command.
- Your air handlers and vents produce foul odors.
Don’t panic! These are the most frequently reported AC issues anywhere…in the world!
That’s right. You aren’t alone.
These problems are so common that a professional HVAC technician can spot them a mile away. Reliable experts can immediately tell what’s going on based on a teleconsultation.
Enlisting professional assistance is best in these cases, but knowing a thing or two plays in your favor! You should know what your air conditioner is going through first-hand.
The Most Common Causes Behind Average AC Problems
Don’t let anyone fool you into paying for costly repairs and opting for an upgrade your home might not need. Get to know your air conditioner to avoid anyone using it against you.
Lacking the least bit of HVAC knowledge gives less reliable technicians opportunities to take advantage. Remember, air conditioners last fifteen to twenty years.
An HVAC contractor might trick you into trading your five-year-old AC systems for newer models. Rest assured, most AC problems can be easily remedied and won’t warrant unit replacement.
Below are some of the most common underlying causes behind malfunctioning air conditioners.
Clogged Air Filters
If your home doesn’t smell like a bed of roses, your filters may be saturated with different pollutants. Some filtration problems may only cause foul odors, while others may be more serious.
Clogged air filters can hinder your AC systems. Pollutants may run over, spreading to critical components and causing internal contamination that may impact the entire system.
You can tell your AC system suffers from poor filter conditions when you notice any of these symptoms from your air conditioner.
- Dusty or dirty air vents.
- The outdoor unit is unusually hot to the touch.
- Moldy or funky odors from air handlers.
- It takes your air conditioner longer to cool.
- There are particles blowing around indoors. (pet hair, hair, dust bunnies, etc.)
Dirty Indoor & Outdoor Coils
Dirty air filters contaminate your AC system. The most vulnerable of its internal components are indoor and outdoor coils.
Contaminants and chemical leaks may saturate coils, hindering their critical role in cooling your home. The evaporator coil absorbs and extracts heat particles indoors, while outdoor coils disperse them outward and away from your home.
Coils also facilitate refrigerant circulation, making it more prone to freezing due to exposure.
Here are some symptoms you may experience when your air conditioner has dirty coils.
- Your air conditioner won’t cool.
- Your energy costs are higher than usual.
- Your air conditioner is leaking.
- There are puddles around your indoor and outdoor units.
- There are buzzing, bubbling, and hissing noises from your air conditioner.
- Your air conditioner automatically cycles off.
Blown Fuse
A blown fuse can hinder power distribution. Your air conditioner may struggle to cool your home due to inadequate energy consumption.
Your air conditioner may not receive the energy required to power its systems. Blowers, fans, and electrical components may automatically run at low speeds, delivering subpar output.
It won’t always cause spikes in energy costs, but blowing a fuse may result in short-circuiting. Shorting electrical systems can cause your home’s entire power supply to go haywire!
If your energy bills are higher than usual, they may be indirectly caused by your air conditioner. Don’t be hasty in handling fuses to avoid them impacting the rest of your home’s wiring.
You may hurt yourself while causing more damage to your air conditioning system. These AC issues are best left to experts. Call a technician when you notice any of the signs listed below.
- Your air conditioner sounds like it’s buzzing or fuzzing.
- You see sparks on power plugs and electrical panels.
- You can smell burning odors from air handlers and vents.
- The air conditioner won’t turn on.
- The air conditioner is unresponsive to thermostat controls.
Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant is a coolant made of chemical compounds. You might know it is “Freon.”
Coolant doesn’t dissipate like steam or “run out” like gas. When Freon runs low, it can only be due to a leak in supply lines.
Refrigerant levels mostly run through a closed-loop system. Air conditioners recycle chemicals to alter your home’s temperatures.
Opportunistic HVAC contractors might trick you into thinking “running out of refrigerant” is normal and happens every few months. You can’t deplete refrigerant levels even with higher demands for cooling.
Technicians may recharge refrigerant levels without remedying tears and abrasions on supply lines. It will only perpetuate the symptoms below.
- The air conditioner won’t cool due to refrigerant freezing coils.
- Refrigerant leaks out of the indoor or outdoor AC unit.
- You hear bubbling or gurgling noises from your air conditioning units.
- The thermostat temperature readings aren’t accurate.
How to Solve Common Springtime AC Issues
As many issues as air conditioners may face during spring, there are just as many ways to remedy them.
There are endless potential fixes to whatever ails your air conditioning system. You can also do them yourself, but the best pieces of advice we could give you are to:
- Forgo haphazard measures and Do-It-Yourself projects. Call for professional assistance.
- Take some time to conduct your due diligence in finding who to hire. Dependable contractors make all the difference.
However, there are things within your realm of responsibilities before calling for expert intervention.
Thorough Inspection and Cleaning
You should inspect your entire air conditioning system before turning it on for the summer. It may have built frost over winter.
Remember, Washington winters are some of the harshest anywhere in the United States. Any residue, such as leftover condensation in your ductwork or outdoor units, may freeze and cause clogs and blockages.
Immediately turning the air conditioner on or dropping temperatures on the thermostat might throw compromised internal systems into a tail-spin.
Inspect your air conditioner and clean any accessible components. Here’s a short checklist of things you can do before calling for professional cooling services.
Pre-Season AC Maintenance Checklist
- Inspect the supply lines and indoor/outdoor units for leaks. They may indicate frozen components are thawing, producing condensation and leaks—clean puddles around supply lines or AC units. Don’t just patch it up with electrical tape! Call professionals to inspect and remedy all intake and distribution pipes and lines.
- Inspect the air filters for particle pollution. Internal filters are accessible behind the front panel of your indoor air handlers and vents, where you can see how saturated they are.You can remove the air filters for cleaning or replace them yourself. You can also enlist professional inspection to know the extent of any possible contamination.
- Inspect thermostat controls. Newer installations have smart thermostats that may indicate problems, where you can see relevant warnings.There may be electrical issues if you notice discrepancies in your thermostat, such as erratic temperature controls and readings. It might need recalibration, something you can do if you have the relevant experience. Otherwise, call an expert!
Taylor Heating & Air Conditioning is a Reputable HVAC Contractor in Puyallup, WA
Most homeowners are hesitant to enlist professional help. We understand how your neighbor’s bad experience may deter you from hiring anyone for the job.
Due to the unsavory chatter regarding most HVAC contractors and technicians, homeowners would rather risk injuries and causing further damage. However, your home fixes might only worsen matters!
Taylor Heating & Air Conditioning technicians are there whenever you need reliable contractors. Call us now if your home needs reliable air conditioning diagnostic and repair.
Call Taylor Heating & Air Conditioning at (253) 208-5315 for Professional AC Services Today!
