Now that we’re in the throes of summertime, many in Springfield are choosing to spend more time at home, enjoying the luxury of the treated air offered by their air conditioner. But running your air conditioner more often and for longer periods of the day puts added wear and tear on the unit. All of this extra use means that summertime is the most common season for air-conditioners to experience problems. If you’re curious as to what’s going on with your air conditioner, take a look at our list of common problems below then search “HVAC companies near me” and call Queen City Heating & Cooling.
The Most Common Air Conditioner Problems
Are strange noises emanating from your air conditioner? Is the unit struggling to keep your home cool? Is it moving any air at all? That’s probably time to give us a call and meet with one of our AC repair technicians. But until then, you can help us do our job faster by trying to diagnose the problem yourself. Here’s a list of some of the most common problems we see when we respond to repair calls.
Your Refrigerant is Leaking
Regardless of the appliance, finding a leak is never a good thing. When it comes to your air conditioner, leaks can be caused by any number of factors. When we make our AC repair service calls in Springfield here are some of the most common sources we find.
Damage To or Rust on the Drain Pan
As your AC unit runs, water condenses on the side of the unit. This means that moisture can pool up in and on the various parts of your AC. With time, this moisture can become spots of rust all over the unit. Eventually, this rust can break apart and allow water to flow directly into your drain pan. We frequently see this problem with air-conditioners that are 13 to 15 years old.
There’s a Clog in the Lines
Most air conditioning units are located outside, which means they’re exposed to environmental factors in the accumulation of dust, debris, and dirt. All of these materials can find their way into the AC unit itself eventually leading to a clogged line. In order to address a clogged line, your service technician will have to use a special vacuum. In most cases, quick cleaning of the lines will address most leaky air conditioners.
You Have a Broken Condenstate Pump
In some cases, your air conditioner may be installed inside your home. Often they will be in the basement or next to a window. Indoor AC units are outfitted with a special part called a condensate pump. This part is responsible for moving collected water within the AC unit itself and forcing it outside. It’s uncommon for these pumps to fail or break in some way and this leads to water leaking out of the air conditioner and pooling on the floor. A broken condensate pump is cause for immediate concern and should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to both the unit in your home.
Low Levels of Refrigerant
Generally, adding more refrigerant to your air conditioner does not solve any leaks. However, a leaky AC is often a sign that you are low on refrigerant. As the levels of refrigerant in your AC lower so too does the temperature and pressure in the unit itself and this causes evaporator coils to freeze. When the coils are illuminated by the sun and heated by the outdoor temperatures, the ice melts and drips onto the drain pan, eventually overflowing it. If you suspect your AC is low on refrigerant listen for a hissing or bubbling noise, or check to see if the AC is not performing as well as it used to.
Make Sure Your Air Conditioner is Ready for Summer in Springfield
The trouble with your air-conditioner? Don’t get heated! Here at Queen City Heating & Cooling, we service all types of HVAC equipment. From heat pumps and furnaces to air conditioners and more, we have the equipment, skills, and know-how to repair any of your HVAC problems. Contact us today and ask about our financing options.
