Common Air Conditioner Repair Needs To Be On The Lookout For | Katy, TX
As the summer heat continues to creep up on us here in Katy, TX, now is the time to consider getting your air conditioner serviced. You all summer smoothly at the end of a long, hot day. At Mr. Reliable Heating & Air, we keep your AC running smoothly all summer long. Here we’ll review some of our team’s most common air conditioner repairs at Mr. Reliable Heating & Air.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
One of the most common air conditioner repairs is a frozen evaporator coil. The evaporator coil absorbs heat from your home’s air, so it can no longer do its job correctly when it freezes. This problem might happen for several reasons, but the most common cause is low refrigerant levels.
If you think your evaporator coil might be frozen, you should first turn off your AC unit and call a professional for help. Trying to fix the problem yourself could make things worse and cost you more in air conditioner repairs.
Cleaning or Replacing Your AC Unit’s Filters
Another common air conditioning repair is failing to clean or replace your AC unit’s filters. Your air conditioner has two different filters – a pre-filter and a MERV 8 filter. The pre-filter protects your AC unit’s blower motor and prolongs the life of your MERV 8 filter by trapping large particles like dust and pollen before they get into the system.
You should check your unit’s monthly pre-filter and clean it if necessary. You only need to replace the pre-filter once every six months, but you’ll need to replace your MERV 8 filter every three months or sooner if you have pets or live in an area with high pollen levels.
When these filters clog, it reduces airflow and makes your air conditioner work harder to cool your home – which can lead to a breakdown. Typical air conditioner repairs that occur when your filters aren’t changed often include a frozen evaporator coil (we already talked about that one!) and a failing compressor. It’s much more cost-effective to change your filters regularly than it is to wait for one of those extensive air conditioner repairs.
Damaged Condenser Fan Motor
The condenser fan motor helps heat out of your home by circulating cool air through the condenser coils. Over time, though, the engine can become damaged and need to be replaced. Some common signs that you need a new condenser fan motor include loud noises from your AC unit, uneven cooling, or extended run times.
It happens to the best of us – we wait until our AC unit breaks down to call a professional for help. But it’s usually too late by then, and we’re stuck with an expensive air conditioner repair bill. By scheduling regular maintenance for your AC unit, you can reduce the chances of a damaged condenser fan motor.
For example, a typical cause of condenser fan motor damage is dirt and debris buildup. But a professional can clean your unit during regular maintenance and help prevent this damage. You can also keep the area around your unit clear of debris to help extend the life of your condenser fan motor.
Failing Compressor
The compressor is one of the essential parts of your AC unit and is also one of the most expensive to replace. The compressor circulates refrigerant throughout your system to remove heat from your Katy, TX, home. When it fails, it can cause problems like uneven cooling, extended run times, or even a complete breakdown of your unit.
Low refrigerant levels often cause compressor failure, but a failed condenser fan motor can also cause it (we discussed earlier). That’s why it’s so important to have regular maintenance done on your AC unit. A professional can check for low refrigerant levels and clean your unit to help prevent compressor failure.
If you need a new compressor, replacing it with the same model already in your unit is crucial. Using a different model can cause problems and might void your warranty. Our technician can help you find a suitable replacement compressor for your AC unit and install it correctly so you’re not left without cool air on a hot day.
Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant leaks are one of the most common problems we see in AC units. Refrigerant helps your unit remove heat from your home, so it can’t do its job correctly when it leaks. Not only that, but refrigerant leaks are also bad for the environment.
There are a few signs that you might have a refrigerant leak, like hissing or bubbling noises, uneven cooling, or extended run times. If you notice any of these signs, you must call a professional for an air conditioner repair as soon as possible.
Finding a refrigerant leak is difficult, but our technicians have the training and experience to find it quickly. Once we find the leak, we’ll repair it and recharge your system with the correct amount of refrigerant.
Thermostat Issues
You rely on your thermostat to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, so it’s frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to fix common thermostat problems.
If your AC unit won’t turn on, the first thing you should check is the batteries in your thermostat. Replacing them will usually fix the problem if they’re low or dead. If that doesn’t work, you might need to replace your thermostat entirely.
Another common issue is an inaccurate temperature reading. This can be caused by several things, like dirty sensors or incorrect settings. You can try cleaning the sensors or recalibrating the thermostat to see if that fixes the problem. If not, you might need a new thermostat. An air conditioner repair professional can help you find the right thermostat for your home and install it correctly.
These are just a few of the most common air conditioner repairs we see here at Mr. Reliable Heating & Air in Katy, TX. By being familiar with these issues, you can be more proactive in maintaining your AC unit and extending its lifespan. If you’re experiencing any problems with your unit or would like to schedule a service appointment, don’t hesitate to call us!
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