Four Things To Check Out If You Suspect An A/C Problem

Posted on: 26 April 2017

Protecting your air conditioner means paying attention to some issues before they cause the unit to fail. If you suspect something is going wrong, investigate the following.

Faulty Filters  

Sometimes an air conditioning problem can be resolved right away; this is especially true if the problem is that you haven't checked the house's filters in some time. If air is unable to pass freely throughout your system, the air that comes into your living spaces might not seem that strong and you may not feel as cool when you turn on your air conditioner. You should be periodically inspecting all the filters in your HVAC system to ensure that they are as clean as possible. Brush away dust and debris with one of your old toothbrushes or a wire brush and you should notice a difference.

Torn Tubes

One thing you may not expect when troubleshooting air conditioning problems is that the tubes are torn or otherwise damaged. When the tubes are mangled, they're unable to carry air where it needs to go. Tubing is generally widely available from the various home improvement and big box stores in your area, but you do have to be sure that any replacement tubing you purchase is the same size as the tubing that's damaged.

Worn Insulation

Sometimes it is not the tubes themselves that are the problems. Old insulation can expose the HVAC tubes to the sun. Once that happens, you may find that the air is not as cool inside the house. You may see dripping or water on the tubes due to condensation. Insulation sleeves can be affordably obtained from most stores, so if you're having cooling issues indoors, have a look at whether you need new insulation.

Debris Buildup

If your main HVAC unit is outside as is the case for many people, soil, mown grass, twigs and other debris is likely to get into the unit itself. Fan blades can become dirty and get stuck as a result, which can lead to various problems, particularly if debris infiltrates the inner components of your unit. That is why you've got to keep an eye on things outdoors whenever possible; when you mow your lawn, for example, look over the unit to ensure that debris isn't building up on condenser coils. The simple act of wiping off fan blades, brushing away old leaves or moving twigs out of the way can protect your unit.

With these details you should be able to address the issues your air conditioner is having. An expert in HVAC repair can help you pinpoint the exact problems that must be repaired immediately.

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HVAC For The Layman

Do you remember the last time your air conditioner died? Although you might have been tempted to write off the problem as a simple quirk, serious air conditioning issues might mean that your family gets stuck living in a hot, humid, uncomfortable environment. I have been a homeowner for a long time, and you wouldn't believe how many times I have come across issues with my HVAC systems. I want you to know how to recognize the early signs of trouble, which is why I decided to put up this page. By reading here, you might be able to learn the intricacies of HVAC in layman's terms so that you can get things resolved as quickly as possible.