Guide to the 3 Most Common AC Repair Problems

Beat the Heat: Understanding Your Biggest AC Repair Problems

Maintaining adequate air conditioning is essential when living in Houston. Air conditioning is not just a matter of comfort; it is necessary for health and safety as well. Since air conditioning is so important, homeowners should have a modicum of knowledge about how air conditioners work, what causes AC repair problems, and the severity of the most common problems with air conditioners.

1 Problems with Refrigerants

Air conditioners work when the system’s refrigerant gets squeezed and released repeatedly. When this gas is compressed, it gets hot, and when the pressure is released, it gets cold immediately. This compression/release cycle works to collect the heat from inside the home and release it outdoors. Hot air from the home moves across the cool refrigerant in the tubes of the evaporator coil, it pushes the cold to the inside of the home and pushes the heat to the great outdoors.

Since refrigerant is so important, losing the refrigerant is detrimental to the system. The refrigerant is always under pressure, with the high side of compression ranging between 300 and 430 psi. For a variety of reasons, leaks develop in the network of tubes that transport the system. Without refrigerant, the air conditioner cannot cool. Another few indications of problems with refrigerant include:

• Leaking refrigerant can cause ice to develop on the system’s tubes.
• After the refrigerant has completely leaked away, the ice will melt. Outdoors, this ice and the resulting water may not be noticed. Indoors, this melting ice will create a mess and possibly cause water damage.
• Without refrigerant, the system will not cool.

2 Problems with Dirty Coils

An air conditioning system has two components that are actually collections of coils: the evaporator coil inside the air handler closet and the condenser unit outdoors. Bare coils put the refrigerant in close contact with air. The evaporator coil connects with air from the inside—moving heat from inside and removing humidity. The hot refrigerant inside the condenser unit depends on air movement through the coil to cool the gas. Dirt, dust, pollen, and debris tend to adhere to the surface of the tubing. The dirt acts as an insulation, preventing the heat from moving into or out of the refrigerant gas.

• All the contaminants that adhere to coils can be washed away by water.
• The coils need to be cleaned regularly, at least annually.
• Humidity that condenses onto the evaporator coil drips to a drain pan and drains away. The drain pan and pipe need to be cleaned regularly as well to prevent the drain pan from overflowing.

3 Problems with Electronics

The complex electronics that keep an air conditioner can also lead to trouble.

• Air conditioners have very sensitive devices that sense temperature and pressure changes. They detect these changes for a few decades, until normal wear and tear cause them to cease functioning.
• Air conditioners have several capacitors, which function as small rechargeable batteries. They collect energy during a cycle and use the power to start various mechanical parts.
• There are a few mechanical and these electro-mechanical parts are very susceptible to wear and tear.
• We acknowledge that with air conditioning, we are dealing with a system that heats and cools repeatedly every hour for a few decades. Heating and cooling material creates a mechanical movement that also creates wear.

Proactive Cooling: Why Understanding Your HVAC System Prevents AC Repair

Having a basic understanding of your HVAC system is the first step toward proactive home maintenance and reduces the risks of AC repair emergencies. In the sweltering heat of a Houston summer, a malfunctioning HVAC system is not just inconvenient; it can pose a real threat to your family’s comfort and safety. Knowing the signs of common AC repair issues like refrigerant leaks, compromised electrical parts, and dirty components, you are able to quickly recognize AC repair issues.

Understanding the basics of your HVAC system is a great start to home maintenance. Many times, HVAC repair needs to be left to the professionals at Northwind AC. Don’t wait for an AC repair emergency to address any issues. By paying attention to these key areas and scheduling timely service, you ensure your AC remains a reliable source of cool, clean air for years to come, keeping your Houston home a comfortable and safe refuge from the heat.

Northwind Air Conditioning and Heat can help answer your Cypress AC Maintenance questions for your home. Contact us and get the help you need.