Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to start getting your air conditioning system ready for the hottest days of the year. Part of that preparation includes conducting any necessary repairs on your system before it has a chance to break down. It’s rather hard to recognize the need for repairs if you don’t know what symptoms to look for, though. With that in mind, have a look at 3 of the common signs that your air conditioner needs repair.
1. Loss of Output
If your air conditioner suddenly starts losing the ability to put out cold air, you’ve obviously got a problem. This can be caused by a number of different factors. Your evaporator coil could be frozen over, depriving it of access to the air that it needs to siphon heat from. You could also have a refrigerant leak in the system, which will deprive the air conditioner of the fluid it needs to actually transport heat out of the house. Either way, you should get it checked right away.
2. Leaks
Your air conditioner deals with two fluids: refrigerant and condensate. Refrigerant is the fluid that the system uses to absorb heat from inside and vent it outside. Condensate is simply moisture that forms on the evaporator coil, after which it is drained out of the system. Leaks in either one of these lines would be problematic, though not on the same scale. A condensate leak will cause parts of the air conditioner to rust, which is obviously not a good thing. A refrigerant leak would cause the system to eventually break down, which is even worse. If you see a leak, call for repairs immediately.
3. Short-Cycling
This is caused by a malfunctioning compressor, which is responsible for circulating refrigerant through the system. Compressor malfunctions can cause the system to rapidly turn on and off without ever completing a cycle, something known as “short-cycling.” This can severely shorten the life of the system, as well as increase the chance of a breakdown. Chances are that you’ll need to replace the compressor if this happens.
If you need air conditioner repair, call Sound Heating. We provide air conditioner repair services throughout Tacoma, WA.