Seasonal Air Conditioning Solutions from Steers Heating & Cooling
Ah, spring! Time to open windows, and maybe even turn on the air. This is typically when many customers call us with problems. Spring air conditioning problems remain one of the top reasons customers call Steers Heating & Cooling. It may be a fairly simple question about operating the air conditioning unit, or any number of specific problems they encounter.
Of course, it is an even better idea to review how to prevent air conditioning problems. Knowing some of the basic things to maintain can help keep problems from arising when your comfort is necessary. Residential and business comfort systems matter to us, so take a little time to consider what your spring air conditioning system needs might be.
What Are Some of the Top Spring Air Conditioning Problems?
We turn the cooling system on or adjust the thermostat and expect the air conditioning to start. However, there may be problems with the system that require service. Check first to see if you might have made a note about any deferred maintenance.
Did anyone report any air conditioning problems before the start of heating season? If there are no lingering problems from before, then it may be time to go over some of the leading causes, including:
Low Refrigerant Problems: In both residential and commercial systems, refrigerant is what your air conditioning system uses to remove heat and humidity from the air. A leak in the line can result with lower refrigerant amounts. With low refrigerant, the system may not cool the air as effectively. If you suspect a leak, simply replacing refrigerant will not solve the problem. If there are multiple leaks, this can sometimes be a time-consuming and expensive process. A trained HVAC repair technician from Steers can check for leaks, repair holes in the lines, and once properly sealed, can restore the low refrigerant to its optimal amount.
Frozen Evaporator Coils: The air conditioner evaporator coil holds the refrigerant responsible for absorbing heat from the air. To accomplish this, the coils need warm air circulating around them to work properly. If something happens to change that warm air flow, the evaporator coil can get too cold. This causes a layer of ice to accumulate on the outside. If you notice only warm air coming out of the registers, or none at all, this can be a sign of frozen evaporator coils.
Problems with Fans or Airflow: A fan inside the air conditioning unit blows indoor air over the evaporator coil to cool. Another fan pushes air over the condenser to remove heat to the outside. Should either fan work improperly, poor airflow occurs. Faulty motors, worn belts, inadequate lubrication, and accumulated dirt can all cause fan problems. Without proper maintenance, the compressor may fail and ruin the overall operation of the air conditioner itself.
Condenser Coil Grime: This is another area where professional maintenance can be handy. As part of the outdoor unit, the condenser expels heat outside the building. Being outside, dirt and grime can accumulate. Soot, pollution, and dirt can layer itself on the condenser coil and impact the way it works. Condenser coil dirt and grime can lead to system failure at worst, and at least add wear and tear to other parts of the unit.
Clogged Drains and Leaking Ducts: Water- and air-related issues can arise in these two components to cause air conditioning problems. Problems with clogs and leaks may result in avoidable added expenses. If a drain line clogs or the drain pan fills, water backup can damage the system. Leaks from this excess water backup may further damage walls, ceilings, furnishings, and more. Depending on installation, there may be unhealthy hidden mold growth.
Air ducts that leak or break basically lose the cooling and fail to carry the colder air where it is supposed to go. This waste of cooling makes the air conditioning unit work harder. The added work drives up the cost of utility bills, and increases wear on the operating parts.
Thermostat Problems: Mentioned earlier, some air conditioning problems can arise from the point where the system turns on. Thermostats that are older and have a circular dial could have incorrect calibration. This means the setting may not match what the system produces. Swapping the older thermostat to a programmable model may resolve this problem. However, users who fail to read instructions could have difficulty checking or setting the thermostat. It may be time to call a professional to troubleshoot the thermostat problems.
Quick and Easy Steps to Prevent Air Conditioning Problems This Spring
There are a handful of easy steps home and business owners can take to help keep springtime air conditioning problems to a minimum. If these are not already part of your regular to-do list, take a few minutes to consider how these might save you time and money overall:
- Replace Air Filters – Keeping air filters clean reduces airflow problems that can lead to frozen coils. Have a supply of clean air filters on hand, and replace air filters regularly.
- Inspect Ducts for Holes – Inspection can involve simply watching for any obvious holes. However, if you feel there is not enough air coming from the registers, call Steers Heating & Cooling to have an HVAC technician inspect the ducts.
- Install and Learn to Use a Programmable Thermostat – A programmable thermostat can provide more precise operation that saves energy. The newest technology in programmable thermostats offers remote operation from your smartphone or tablet.
- Clean the Outdoor Unit – General cleaning and clearing of brush and debris from around the outdoor unit can keep it free from dirt and clogs. Take time to remove leaves, trash, and dirt so it does not get inside the outdoor unit.
- Routine Maintenance – We mentioned deferred maintenance earlier, but deferring routine maintenance can lead to costly air conditioner problems. Make sure to have an HVAC professional inspect and tune the system every spring before starting it for the season. This inexpensive-yet-regular step can save you from making a costly emergency call later when air conditioning problems stops working.
Homes and Businesses Have Different Spring Air Conditioning Problems
Over our experience, we can define some specific spring air conditioning problems that are different for home and business owners. While comfort is key to both types of locations, home comfort units are usually on a smaller scale than those of a commercial building. At home, open windows permit additional air to flow in and out when needed.
Businesses often are in buildings constructed for limited access, with fewer windows. The windows they do have often do not open or allow for additional air flow. The comfort of commercial customers, their employees, and visitors, depends heavily upon the continued working of the HVAC system, not only in the spring but all year round.
Both homes and businesses can benefit from having air conditioning or HVAC maintenance contracts in place with Steers Heating & Cooling. Our professionals can design a maintenance contract to fit your needs, tailored to your equipment. Steers Heating & Cooling technicians are happy to help customers resolve spring air conditioning problems.
Trust Steers Heating & Cooling, Inc., serving the Parkersburg, West Virginia, region. We have provided excellence in HVAC products and services for more than 80 years. Call us today at (855) 226-9630 or contact us online to schedule residential, commercial, and industrial service to prevent air conditioning problems and so much more.