A well-maintained air conditioner should last for decades. But if you don’t perform regular maintenance services, your AC system will eventually require repairs.
Some of these repairs are minor, like a clogged drain line or low refrigerant. But others are serious enough that you should seek professional repair services. Contact Air Conditioning Repair Round Rock TX for professional help.
Your thermostat is one of the best indicators that your home’s cooling system needs a repair. When it malfunctions, it can affect the performance of your whole house. That’s why it’s important to know what signs to look for so you can act fast and prevent expensive damage.
The most common sign that your thermostat needs repairs is an unresponsive display screen. This can be caused by dead batteries or a power outage. Depending on the type of thermostat, it may also have internal software problems that can only be fixed by a professional.
Incorrect readings are another common problem. When a thermostat is miscalibrated, it can cause the AC to overwork and overheat. Incorrect readings can also mean your energy bills are too high. These issues are usually easy to diagnose and fix for professionals.
If your thermostat isn’t regulating the temperature correctly, it could be due to dirty sensors. A buildup of dirt, lint, and dust on the sensors can cause them to stop working properly. If you suspect this is the issue, try cleaning the sensor with canned compressed air or a soft brush.
A thermostat has a series of wires that connect to the HVAC system. These allow the thermostat to turn on and off the blower and compressor. If a wire breaks or becomes frayed, the thermostat won’t be able to control the HVAC system properly. This can lead to poor indoor temperatures and a lot of wasted energy. A technician will be able to replace or repair the broken wires to fix this problem.
Loud Sounds
During the summer, it can be hard to keep quiet—you might hear children running around, loud backyard fireworks, or even your air conditioning system making noise! While these sounds can be annoying, they are usually an indicator of a problem and should not be ignored. Taking note of what the sound is and contacting an AC repair specialist right away will ensure that the issue is taken care of quickly and effectively, before it becomes more severe.
Loud banging or clanking sounds are typically a sign that something is loose within the compressor unit. This can be caused by a number of issues, such as loose piston pins or broken connector rods. Alternatively, the problem may be as simple as a misaligned fan blade or imbalanced compressor unit. In this case, the technician can inspect the unit and tighten or replace any loose parts to resolve the problem.
A bubbling sound is also indicative of a serious problem with your AC. This can indicate a refrigerant leak, which is dangerous and needs to be repaired as soon as possible. The issue may be as simple as a crack in the evaporator coil or as complicated as an internal component malfunction that requires professional inspection and repair.
Clicking sounds are also a concern, particularly when they occur regularly and are persistent. These can be caused by a number of issues, including a thermostat that is faulty or misaligned fan blades.
Other sounds that require immediate professional attention include a high-pitched screeching sound and metal-on-metal scraping. Both of these sounds can indicate a number of problems, but are most likely to be caused by the compressor or fan motor, respectively. If these issues are not resolved, they could result in more serious and expensive damages to the unit and your home.
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the most important parts of your AC system. It is responsible for sending signals to the AC compressor and fan, allowing them to reach your desired temperature. However, like any other electrical device, the thermostat can malfunction. If it becomes faulty, it can lead to air conditioning problems and increase your energy bills. If your thermostat is acting up, you may need to get a new one or have it repaired.
The most obvious sign of a faulty thermostat is when it fails to turn on at all. If your thermostat display screen is dark and doesn’t respond to commands, it means that it isn’t getting power from the home’s circuit breaker. You can try flipping the breaker on and off to see if it helps. If not, you can try replacing the batteries in the thermostat.
Another common sign of a malfunctioning thermostat is when it doesn’t accurately read the room temperature. This can be a problem with the sensor or because of improper programming. You can check the temperature reading on your thermostat against a thermometer to see if it is accurate.
If the thermostat isn’t turning on or off as it should, this is a sign of short cycling. Short cycling is when the AC turns on and off in shortened spurts instead of running consistently. This can be a problem for your AC because it causes it to work harder and consume more energy than necessary. To fix this, you’ll need to have a professional look at the thermostat and check its wiring. This is a job best left to professionals since working with electrical wires can be dangerous.
Faulty Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit, and it’s responsible for driving the refrigerant through the system to remove heat from your home. It’s vital that this component works correctly to keep your home cool. But if it starts to develop problems, the whole AC system could be at risk. There are many causes of an AC compressor failure, including a lack of regular maintenance.
One of the main reasons for a failing compressor is an overheating problem. When the compressor overheats, it draws too much power from the electrical circuit and can cause the breaker to trip repeatedly. If this happens, it’s important to call a technician immediately to perform a full inspection of the unit. Resetting the breaker may temporarily fix the problem, but it will not resolve the underlying issue.
Other signs of a failing compressor include leaking fluids and strange sounds. Leaks indicate that the compressor is not working correctly, and if left untreated, it may fail entirely. Strange noises can be caused by worn or damaged bearings, pistons, and other internal components. When the compressor is faulty, it has to work harder to cool your home, and this can dramatically increase your energy costs.
Another major cause of a failing compressor is a buildup of contaminants. The evaporator coils of the compressor can clog and need to be cleaned by an experienced technician. A dirty evaporator coil reduces the effectiveness of lubrication and increases friction inside the compressor, leading to damage over time. A lack of routine maintenance also allows dirt, debris, leaves, acid, pests, and more to enter the compressor. These pollutants can contaminate the refrigerant and cause the compressor to fail.
Faulty Fan
A faulty fan can cause the compressor to overheat and break down, which will ultimately lead to higher energy bills and potential system failure. The air conditioner fan is responsible for circulating cool air through the condenser coils to disperse the heat absorbed by the compressor. A faulty fan will not only reduce the cooling capabilities of your AC unit, but can also increase the operating pressure inside the unit and shorten the lifespan of other components.
If you notice a loud, constant noise coming from the fan motor, it may be a sign that it is about to fail. Fans often develop a period of noisy operation before failing completely, so it is best to catch the problem as early as possible.
The fan may work intermittently if the fan motor is overheating or there are issues with its wiring connection. This could be a result of corroded or dirty wires or a worn motor that needs to be replaced. Our technicians can check the entire motor for signs of wear and tear and carry out replacements if needed.
If the fan is unable to spin, it can be due to a cracked or broken belt that connects the motor to the fan blades. Newer AC systems are not typically equipped with belts and instead use direct motors, but older units may have a belt system. It is important to check the belt for signs of wear and tear and replace it if necessary. A blown fuse can also prevent the fan from spinning and should be replaced if needed. It is also a good idea to check other components such as the radiator fan relay, temperature sensor, and wires for signs of corrosion or loose connections that need to be fixed or replaced.