Air conditioners have become an integral part of our daily life. Whether at home or at the office, one can’t seem to manage the heat without an air conditioner. However, owning an air conditioner is an added responsibility. ACs have to be properly maintained or their operational efficiency could decline rapidly costing you a lot of money.
Fortunately, the most common Air Conditioner problems are preventable. Here, we will take a look at 5 common air conditioner problems and how to prevent them.
1 Dirty Air Filters
One of the most common problems that can harm your air conditioners is dirty filters. Forgetting to clean your AC filters can cause dirt to clog it and prevent it from working. This will not only reduce air flow but also cause the AC unit to freeze. The best way to prevent dirty air filters from damaging your AC is to change the air filters as specified by your AC’s manufacturer.
2. Leaking Ducts
Your AC ducts carry cool air from your AC throughout your living space. However, any holes in the AC ducts will cause cool air to escape causing your AC to work harder while driving up your energy bills. To prevent this issue, ask your AC technician to check for duct leakage when performing routine maintenance.
3. Thermostat issue
A thermostat is used to control your air conditioner. Your thermostat needs to be properly calibrated to ensure proper functioning. An poorly calibrated thermostat will result in your Air Conditioner not receiving the correct instructions from the control system. You can fix this issue by re calibrating your thermostat or replacing it with a new one if the problem persists.
4. Fan Malfunctions
Your Air Conditioner has two fans - one that blows indoor air over your unit’s evaporator coil to cool the air, and another that blows air over the outdoor unit’s condenser to expel the absorbed heat outside the building. Damage to either one of these fans will result in poor air flow. If you suspect poor air flow, then call a technician to check the fans. Don’t ignore this issue as it can lead to compressor failure which could permanently damage your AC.
5. Dirty Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are located on your outdoor unit and serve the purpose of removing heat from the air by expelling it outside. However, just like air filters, condenser coils are prone to collecting dirt and grime. Dirty condenser coils can result in heat transfer getting impeded. This will cause your AC to work harder resulting in faster wear and tear. To prevent this problem, make sure you clean your condenser coils once or twice a year by engaging a HVAC technician.