It may seem warm now, but summer is still on the horizon. The days are going to continue heating up for a while, which means you’re going to be using your air conditioning system much more often. All that added use is going to put more strain on the system, which means problems are going to be much more likely to occur over the course of the summer. Part of making sure that your air conditioner stays in good shape is catching problems as early as possible. The best way to do that is to make sure that you know the warning signs that the various problems give off. Let’s have a look at some of the most common problems that can afflict air conditioners, and the warning signs they give off.
Refrigerant Leaks
Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to move heat out of your home during operation. The two units that make up the system trade the same pool of refrigerant back and forth, evaporating it to absorb thermal energy and condensing it to release it. Air conditioners are not designed to consume refrigerant, so the amount they get when they’re first installed is supposed to last for their entire lifespans. When a leak develops in an air conditioner’s refrigerant line, it starts to cause serious problems.
First, the dropping refrigerant level in the system will cause output to drop, as the air conditioner has less and less refrigerant available to actually move heat. This is often the first symptom that people notice. If the leak isn’t found and patched in time, and the lost refrigerant refilled, then the system can actually become so starved for the fluid that it breaks down entirely. This can be incredibly damaging for the system, and you may have to replace the thing entirely if the problem is allowed to progress this far. So, if you notice that your air conditioner output is dropping, or that there is fluid dripping from your system, then you should call for repairs right away.
Short Cycling
When an air conditioner turns itself off and on every couple of minutes, that behavior is called short cycling. Short cycling can be caused by a couple of different factors. It’s possible that the compressor is damaged, which is responsible for helping to maintain the rhythm of the air conditioner. It’s also possible that you have an electrical issue between the thermostat and the air conditioner. This can cause the signal to become garbled, leading to short cycling. While the cause of the short cycling can be problematic in and of itself, the behavior is what you should be really worried about.
Short cycling messes with the operating rhythm of the system, dramatically increasing the wear and tear on the various parts. If not dealt with, this can shorten the lifespan of the air conditioner by a number of years.
Climate Masters offers a full range of air conditioning repair services throughout Hastings, FL. If you need air conditioner repairs, contact us today for an appointment.
