You’ve already said goodbye to summer, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot here in South Florida. Many communities farther north are turning on their heaters while we still enjoy warm temperatures and rely on our air conditioners. Using our air conditioners for long periods puts a greater strain on our units, so it’s even more important to pay attention to common repair needs.
If you need AC repair in West Palm Beach, FL, our team can help. When we visit your home for an AC checkup, we can look for any early signs of repair needs and address them before problems spread. But you can also do your part as a homeowner and understand how your AC unit works. Learn what common AC repair needs to watch out for so you can stay ahead of repairs.
Most Common AC Issues
Our AC technicians see it all. But there are some issues that we see more frequently than others. These are the most common AC repairs that you need to understand so you can prevent bigger problems.
Thermostat
Some AC issues aren’t actually your AC at all. It’s possible that your thermostat is actually in need of recalibration or replacement. If your thermostat isn’t reading the temperature correctly, it doesn’t communicate with your air conditioner to turn on and off at the right times. This can cause your air conditioner to short cycle, or run more frequently. It can also make your unit not turn on enough.
But before you trade out your thermostat, make sure that your settings are correct. It’s easy to accidentally set your thermostat to fan only instead of cooling or to think that the temperature is slightly higher or lower than it really is. If the settings are correct and problems persist, call our team of experts. We can either recalibrate the thermostat or offer a new one that might work even better.
Leaking Refrigerant
Your AC unit never runs out of refrigerant with regular use. But it is possible for the refrigerant line to have a leak that allows the refrigerant to escape in either liquid or gas form. When this happens, the air in your air conditioner doesn’t blow as cool. You might suspect a refrigerant leak if you feel lukewarm air or hear hissing and bubbling sounds.
The good news is, refrigerant leaks are usually easy to repair. Once your refrigerant line is repaired, we can recharge the refrigerant in your AC so there is enough refrigerant charged and ready to cool the air for your home. Keep in mind that refrigerant can be dangerous to handle, so don’t attempt to fix a refrigerant leak on your own.
Holes in Ductwork
If your AC is blowing cool air, but your home never seems to reach a comfortable temperature, you may have duct holes. Gaps in your ductwork can allow cool air to escape before it ever reaches your home. In fact, you can lose nearly a third of your cool air to even the smallest duct holes. This costs you more on your energy bill and also causes more wear and tear on your cooling unit.
Don’t ignore the subtle signs of AC problems. It’s always better to have an AC tune-up so we can identify problems before they worsen.
Contact Mechanical Air Conditioning for your central air conditioning needs. Schedule an appointment today!