Taking care of these issues prevents more damage from accruing, and improves the longevity and efficiency of your AC system. This includes things like cleaning the evaporator coils to prevent buildup that leads to poor airflow.
It also means addressing any electrical problems, such as faulty wiring or a tripped circuit breaker. This is something that should only be done by a professional, as working with electricity without proper training can be dangerous. Contact AC Repair Round Rock for professional help.
The compressor is at the heart of your AC unit, and its failure could spell trouble for the entire system. A faulty compressor will often cause the other components to malfunction or even fail, leading to costly repair or replacement costs. To avoid these problems, it’s a good idea to stay ahead of the curve and schedule regular preventative maintenance.
The most common sign that your compressor is failing is a loss of cooling power. You may also notice that the air coming out of your vents is warm instead of cool. If you experience either of these symptoms, it’s important to get in touch with a professional as soon as possible.
If you hear strange sounds near your compressor, this is a surefire sign that it needs to be repaired or replaced. The noises you might hear include squealing, chattering, whining, or rattling. These sounds usually indicate that the compressor is straining to operate or has failed altogether. They could also be a sign of a failing clutch or a seizing shaft.
Another common reason for a failing compressor is the presence of contaminants. Since the compressor is outside your home, it’s exposed to the elements over a long period of time. This gives contaminants like dirt, insects, leaves, fungi, bird droppings, and soot a chance to make their way into the system.
These contaminants can damage the compressor’s inner workings and shorten its lifespan. In most cases, a professional can repair the compressor’s circuitry, but it is often more cost-effective to replace the unit altogether.
The age of your compressor should also factor into the decision to repair or replace it. If your unit is more than 10-15 years old, it might be a better option to upgrade to a newer system with improved energy efficiency.
Another way to help prolong the life of your compressor is by changing the refrigerant type, as many older units still use R-22 refrigerant which is being phased out. The right refrigerant can significantly improve your unit’s performance and lower your energy costs. It’s best to work with a professional for this task, as handling refrigerant requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat is the control center of your HVAC system. As such, it can have a big impact on your energy costs and comfort levels when it develops technical issues. One of the most common symptoms of a faulty thermostat is that it doesn’t maintain your desired temperature settings. Instead, it may start to change the temperatures at random or misread the air temperature in your home. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. You can try lowering the thermostat settings to see if it fixes the problem. If not, you should call a licensed AC technician to investigate the issue.
Another common cause of a faulty thermostat is physical damage. Dust or debris can get caught in the sensor, leading to inaccurate readings and erratic behavior. This can be a serious problem, especially for elderly people or young children who might be particularly sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
A faulty thermostat can also lead to the heater or air conditioner short-cycling. This is when the system turns on and off repeatedly in an attempt to reach your desired temperature. In some cases, this can lead to heat exhaustion or even death.
If your thermostat’s display doesn’t light up or respond to buttons, this is usually a sign that the thermostat needs replacing. However, it’s important to check the batteries first before calling for professional service.
If your thermostat has a fan inside of it that fails, it can be difficult to cool your home. Thankfully, the blower motor is a simple part to replace. The technician simply has to open the access panel to the outdoor unit, disconnect the fan, replace the fan, and then reassemble everything. This is a relatively quick repair that shouldn’t take more than an hour. If the fan is inside of your indoor unit, the process can be a little more complicated since the technician has to disassemble the unit and may need to remove screws or other parts to get to the blower motor. This can add an additional hour to the overall time of the repair.
Faulty Contactor
The contactor is an essential component that controls the flow of electricity to various parts of your AC system. It acts as a switch to allow or prevent the flow of current, ensuring that key components such as the compressor and fan motor receive power when they need it.
But like any other electrical component, the contactor can go bad for a variety of reasons. Common problems include:
A faulty contactor can affect the overall performance of your air conditioner. It can cause your AC unit to run longer than it should, which consumes more energy and drives up your utility bills. It can also introduce power surges and fluctuations into your system, which may damage sensitive electronics or motors.
Other symptoms of a faulty contactor include chattering or buzzing sounds. These sounds occur when the latching electrical contacts within the contactor fail to make a strong connection. These issues can lead to failure in your AC system, so it’s important to call a professional to inspect and repair the contactor when you notice them.
Before beginning any troubleshooting, it’s crucial to de-energize your AC system by switching off the circuit breaker. Once you’ve done this, wear gloves and use a screwdriver to remove the side cover of your condenser unit. Once you’ve opened the box, you should be able to visually inspect the contactor for signs of damage, including scorched or melted regions and pitting on the copper coil. You can also check for arcing, which is often the result of poor maintenance.
Faulty Blower Motor
When your blower motor fails, it won’t be able to push enough air through your HVAC system. This means your AC will work harder than it should to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, leading to higher energy bills. Replacing your blower motor will help your AC get back to its normal operation, saving you money in the long run.
There are several signs that your blower motor is dying or going bad. Among them are weak airflow from your vents, rattling noises, and clanking sounds. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s time to call in an expert for a replacement.
A faulty blower motor can cause your air conditioner to work overtime, which can lead to overheating and increased wear and tear on other components. This is why it’s important to schedule routine maintenance for your AC system throughout the year. This service will clean the blower fan cage, balance the blower blades, and lubricate the bearings to prevent them from wearing out.
If your blower motor makes rattling or clanking sounds, it could mean that there’s a loose or damaged component inside. These sounds can be caused by a number of issues, including a clogged air filter, an overheating blower motor, or a blown fuse. If you hear a loud banging sound, however, this is a sign that something within the motor has snapped or broken, and it will need to be replaced.
In addition to checking the fuses and switches in your home, you can also look for a popped reset button on your blower motor. This button connects to a circuit breaker for your blower motor and will pop if it’s overloaded with too much electricity. If you find a popped button, remove it and let the blower cool down before attempting to reconnect it.
If the motor is getting proper voltage but still won’t spin, there may be a problem with the rotor that holds the fan wheel. It can also be a sign of a bad blower capacitor or a control module that needs to be replaced. Checking these parts with a multimeter or your eyes can help you determine the problem.