AC Repair Company: The Most Common AC Repairs You Are Likely To Encounter | Cypress, TX
AC in Cypress, TX, units are replaced every year due to preventable damages. While some may be simple replacements, others can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home if not repaired by an AC repair company. Some damages can be prevented by educating yourself and taking the proper steps to care for your air conditioner. During summer, air conditioners are the lifesavers to keep us cool. Unfortunately, the same quality that makes them so effective also makes air conditioners a prime target for various problems.
AC Unit Leaking Fluid
Leaking fluid is one of the most common air conditioning problems in Cypress, TX, but it can also be the most serious, depending on what’s leaking. It can freeze when moisture builds up and becomes stuck in your condensate line. You can usually tell if fluid leaks because it will pool somewhere near the AC unit. Leaks from the drain pan or one of the plastic supply lines are generally not serious. However, if the leak is a refrigerant line, that could indicate a much bigger problem. When in doubt, call an AC repair company as soon as you spot a leak to make sure it’s nothing serious.
A few different fluids might be leaking from your unit, and each can indicate another problem.
Refrigerant – If the fluid leaking from your unit is bright blue or green, you probably have a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant leaks should be addressed as soon as possible by an AC repair company because they can cause severe damage to the compressor. Left unchecked, they can also release chemicals into the air that are harmful to the environment.
Outdoor Motor Oil – If your unit is leaking motor oil, it could signify a worn-out shaft seal or motor bearing. You may also see wet spots on your driveway or yard where the oil leaks and evaporates.
Compressor Oil – When an AC compressor runs low on oil, it puts excessive strain on the motor, leading to burnout and total failure of the system. If your AC is leaking compressor oil, call an AC company. They will add more oil to your system and inspect it for signs of damage that could lead to potential failure down the road.
AC Unit Not Cooling Enough
If your air conditioner starts blowing out warm air, something is wrong with the system, and it needs the attention of an AC repair company. Something as simple as a blown fuse may be causing the problem, but it could also be a worn-out compressor or low refrigerant caused by leaks in the system.
Bad Smell Coming From Your AC
If you have an air conditioner in your home, you might be familiar with the foul smell when you first turn it on. Unfortunately, this isn’t a rare thing. Most people in Cypress, TX, are used to that nasty moldy smell during the summertime.
If you smell something musty or rotten, it could be mold growing inside your air conditioner. It’s easy for mold to grow in your AC system because it stays damp and dark most of the time.
A common cause of mold developing in your AC system is leftover standing water from when your system drips or condensates. If the water doesn’t evaporate fast enough, mold can begin to grow.
If one of your drain lines gets clogged, this creates a breeding ground for mold spores to develop and multiply. Once these spores spread throughout your home, you may experience health issues like sneezing or coughing.
Mold growth can make anyone sick, especially those who already suffer from respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies, or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Loud Noises When the AC Is Running
The most common cause is that some parts have become loose or worn out. Typically, the loudest part of an air conditioner is the compressor, so if you hear a loud banging noise, it’s probably that. Air conditioners also make a lot of other sounds when they run, though, such as hissing, rattling, and whining. If you hear these noises, call an AC repair company. It would help if you had an AC repair professional check your unit every year so that any repairs can be done
Not Enough Air Coming Out of The System Vents
If your air conditioning system produces some air but not enough to cool down the home, the blower fan is likely a problem. The blower fan is responsible for pushing out cool air after the evaporator coil and condenser coils have cooled it. If you notice the blower fan is not running or not running at full speed, it could be caused by a bad capacitor or contactor switch. The capacitor provides power to the blower fan and contactor switch. If either one fails, it will not give power to the blower fan and cause it to run erratically or stop working altogether, requiring the attention of an AC repair company.
Dirty Blower Fan and Condenser Coil
The two main components responsible for cooling down the home are the blower fan and condenser coil. If they get dirty, they cannot effectively do their job and cool down your home. The dirt will build upon the components and create a layer of grime that insulates them and prevents heat from escaping outside. To maintain these components, you need to have them cleaned regularly by an AC repair company.
Cycle Doesn’t Start When Thermostat Is Set
If you’ve set your thermostat to start cooling, but nothing happens when you turn it on, there could be a problem with the power source to your HVAC system. Several things could have gone wrong with the wiring or circuit breakers that could have caused this issue. A professional AC repair company in Cypress, TX, can inspect and repair the problem to get you back up and running as soon as possible.
Thermostat Malfunction
Your thermostat controls the temperature in your home. And, since it detects the temperature in your house, if it’s faulty or malfunctioning, it can cause severe problems for your air conditioner and prevent it from cooling your home correctly. If you suspect that this could be the problem, call an AC repair company for an inspection and repair.
The AC Shuts Off without any Warning
This problem could be due to a lack of water in the condenser or an electrical issue. It could also be a sign that the compressor is malfunctioning. If the unit is old and needs to be replaced, it may be better to put the money toward a new unit rather than repair the old one. If you have this problem, call an AC repair company and have them come out as soon as possible to take a look at your unit.
Broken Blower Motor
The blower motor is a heavy device that runs the air conditioner’s compressor and circulates air throughout your home. The blower motor is usually located inside the furnace or HVAC compartment. Sometimes it’s located inside a ductwork component called a plenum. If the blower motor fails, it can cause your system to stop working entirely or start running at low speed only, making it difficult to cool your home. A blower motor that is not correctly functioning can cause several problems, including blowing warm or hot air, not blowing any air, or simply being noisy. Have an AC repair company repair it as soon as possible to prevent more damage to your system.
Malfunctioning Air Handler
If the air handler doesn’t run, it isn’t getting power. The contactor (relay) most likely has burned out or is stuck closed. If the compressor start capacitor has failed, the whole compressor won’t work. You can check for these problems with a voltmeter, but you usually need an AC repair company to replace one of these parts.
If only part of the air handler works, such as only the fan, most likely it’s getting power, but some other component isn’t working.
If the air handler doesn’t blow air as powerfully as you expect, have an AC repair company check to ensure that a dirty filter isn’t blocking airflow. Disposable filters need replacing every few months; permanent filters that you can wash need cleaning every few months and then thoroughly drying before they’re put back in place.
Dirty Air Filter
The air filter in your air conditioner does more than keep the air clean. It also protects the vital components of the system from dust and debris. If it gets caked with dirt, airflow is restricted, and that can cause issues throughout the system.
A dirty air filter can force your AC to work harder and consume more energy. If a clogged filter is ignored long enough, it can lead to damage such as frozen evaporator coils or a cracked heat exchanger in the furnace.
The simple solution is to have an AC repair company inspect your air filter every month and replace it when it’s dirty. That will keep the system working at peak efficiency and prevent problems from developing down the road.
Clogged Condensate Drain
A clogged condensate drain is another typical air conditioning problem many homeowners in Cypress, TX, face. The drain line is responsible for removing moisture from your indoor air. This moisture accumulates in the drain pan, and it can eventually overflow and leak onto your floor.
If you suspect a clogged condensate drain, start by inspecting the pan to see if it’s overflowing. If so, call an AC repair company to unclog the pan.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is what makes your AC unit cool air to be sent through your home’s ductwork and out of the vents. If there’s not enough refrigerant in the system, it won’t be able to cool the air effectively. This leads to inadequate cooling in individual rooms and increased energy bills due to running your AC longer than usual to try and get the house comfortable.
Evaporator Coil Leaks
A dirty evaporator coil can also cause an AC that isn’t cooling because the way the unit is designed will not remove moisture from the air if the coils are dirty. This causes frost to build up and block airflow through the coil.
It’s important to note that some frost accumulation on the coils is average. Suppose you see frost everywhere except where the refrigerant lines connect to the coil. In that case, it’s usually fine. It only becomes a problem when ice accumulates over 50 percent of the evaporator coil.
Worn Out Contactor Switches
A contactor switch is a relay that controls your compressor and condenser fan by turning them on and off. This part can wear out over time, especially when your air conditioner frequently runs due to hot weather. The contacts on this switch can short out, causing a buzzing sound in the indoor unit. You may also notice that your air conditioner doesn’t respond when you turn it on, or your thermostat loses power. The fix for this problem is contacting an AC repair company to replace the contactor with a new one. Although this is a relatively inexpensive repair, it’s a little more complicated than replacing a light switch at home, so consider hiring an AC company to fix this issue.
Overheating
Air Conditioners are designed for cycling on and off as needed to maintain the temperature you set on your thermostat, but sometimes they’ll constantly run without reaching the desired temperature. This problem is usually caused by a dirty condenser coil or evaporator coil. When they become clogged with dirt or debris, they can’t do their job efficiently, and the system overheats. Turn off your air conditioner at the thermostat and switch off its circuit breaker at the main electrical panel and contact an AC repair company to clean them.
Superb AC Repair Services in Cypress, TX
You might have to deal with many AC repairs in Cypress, TX. Some of these are relatively easy to handle, for instance, if your thermostat is malfunctioning. On the other hand, others can be more complex, requiring some professionals from an AC repair company. If you need some repair work, don’t hesitate to call Mr. Reliable Heating & Air, an AC repair company, for help.
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