If your home AC unit is old but still hums along, it makes sense to keep up with maintenance rather than spend thousands on an expensive replacement. Here are a few common Air Conditioning Repair Sherman Oaks that will help you keep your system running efficiently.
Clean the evaporator coil with a soft-bristle brush and vacuum the fins. The fan blade is usually fastened to the motor shaft with a setscrew.
The evaporator coil’s primary job is to absorb heat and transfer it to your home’s air. When the coil becomes dirty, it can’t do this effectively, and you may notice that your home isn’t as cool as usual.
A dirty evaporator coil can also cause other problems, including mold, mildew, high humidity, and unpleasant odors. If the coil remains dirty for too long, it can also shorten the life of your entire AC unit.
Dirty evaporator coils are one of the most common signs that you need to have your air conditioning system repaired or replaced. They can also lead to increased energy bills and reduced cooling efficiency.
To clean your evaporator coil, your dealer will first need to shut off the power supply to the coil. They will then remove any covers or panels that are blocking access to the coils. The dealer will then use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dirt and debris from the coils without damaging them. If the coils have bent aluminum fins, the dealer can use a tool called a “fin comb” to straighten them.
Next, the dealer will spray the coils with a commercial-grade cleaning solution. They will let the solution soak into the coils for about an hour. Then they will rinse the coils with condensate water. They will inspect the evaporator coils for dirt, debris, and mold growth after they are cleaned.
If the evaporator coil is dirty, it will need to be cleaned more frequently. You can prevent this by keeping the area around the coils free of dirt and debris. This includes minimizing dirt from dryer vents, removing leaves and other debris, and trimming foliage back at least two feet away from the coil.
You can also take steps to reduce the buildup of dirt and debris on your evaporator coils by regularly changing the filter on your furnace. This can help keep dust and pollen from building up on the coils. It is also a good idea to have your air conditioner serviced twice a year.
Dirty compressor coils
The condenser coil in your air conditioner plays a vital role in the cooling process. However, dirt, dust, pollutants, leaves, and other debris can accumulate on the coils over time, reducing their effectiveness. This can result in reduced indoor comfort, higher humidity levels, and increased energy costs.
Dirty compressor coils make it difficult for your system to absorb and dump heat, causing the system to work harder to achieve a desired temperature. This additional stress can increase wear on all system components, resulting in more frequent and expensive service calls and shortened system life.
If a dirty evaporator coil isn’t cleaned properly, it can cause the compressor to overheat, resulting in an AC repair call and potentially a costly compressor replacement. In addition, a dirty coil can cause the refrigerant to leak out of the compressor. Fortunately, cleaning both evaporator and condenser coils can help reduce the amount of wear and tear on all system components and improve your energy efficiency rating, lowering your utility bills.
In many cases, cleaning your air conditioning system’s coils is a do-it-yourself job that you can complete with a garden hose. Turn off power to your unit at the circuit breaker, disconnect the power cable from the condenser, and then remove the cover to access the coil fins. Spray a hose around each fin, then use a non-acid, non-alkaline coil cleaner (available at hardware stores) to remove stubborn dirt and debris buildup.
It is also important to keep plants away from your air conditioning unit, as weeds, grass, and vines can block the airflow through the condenser and evaporator coils. In addition, you should regularly trim bushes and hedges to keep them from blocking or obscuring the coils. You should also maintain 2–3 feet of clearance between the outside air conditioning unit and the surrounding home to prevent dirt and other materials from accumulating on the compressor and evaporator coils. With regular cleaning, you can ensure your home stays cool and comfortable all summer. And with improved energy efficiency, you can save money on your electric bill as well!
Damaged coolant lines
Air conditioning systems require a special coolant to function. This coolant is called Freon, and if the level is low, it will prevent the system from cooling. A professional service technician can recharge the system with the proper amount of Freon.
The copper refrigerant lines that run from the condenser outside to the evaporator coil inside the house can become damaged for several reasons. They may be pierced by lawn mowers or construction work. The lines could also be punctured by someone tripping over them or even penetrated by nails or screws driven into the wall of the home. The hose clamps on these high-pressure lines can loosen over time and cause leaks. The o-ring seals on the ends of these lines can degrade over time as well. A professional will replace these parts with new ones to prevent air conditioning repair problems in the future.
Another problem that can occur is a cracked radiator cap. When a radiator cap can’t hold pressure, it will allow the engine to overheat. A professional service technician can replace the cap with one that can handle the system’s rated pressure and will make it easier to detect leaks.
In addition to examining and cleaning components, an air conditioning repair service will check the levels of refrigerant in a system. A refrigerant level check is a vital part of the AC repair process and identifies potential problems before they become costly repairs.
Other parts of the air conditioning repair process include assessing the airflow in the ductwork and checking for obstructions like blocked or dirty filters. Airflow assessment is a vital step in the air conditioning repair process because it helps the service technician identify problems with blockages that can be corrected to improve the airflow of the system. Airflow assessment is performed using HVAC diagnostic techniques, including visual inspection, pressure testing, and leak detection methods such as bubble tests or electronic sniffers. These techniques also help the service technician locate and diagnose issues such as electrical components that need replacement or wiring repairs.
Dirty Thermostat
A dirty thermostat can affect your air conditioning system’s performance in a couple of ways. First, it can prevent the unit from reaching its set temperature, and second, it can cause the fan to run all the time, wasting energy. Fortunately, this is one problem that is easy to resolve by performing some basic troubleshooting.
Start by turning off the power to the thermostat and removing the cover. Then use canned air to blow away any debris that is stuck inside. You may also need to remove the battery compartment cover and replace the batteries. After that, you can clean the sensor by using a cotton swab or soft cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Finally, replace the cover and restore power to the thermostat.
Thermostats are notoriously difficult to repair, but some simple steps can help you figure out what the issue is. For example, you can try to test the connection between the red power supply wire and the green fan wire by flipping a switch on the electrical panel to see if the fan comes on.
If it doesn’t, then you may need to replace the thermostat. You can also perform a visual inspection and check to make sure there are no loose or corroded wires. If you suspect that the problem is in the wiring, it’s best to call a professional because this type of work requires specialized knowledge and skills.
Dirty thermostats can increase your energy bills by as much as 7 percent. Cleaning your thermostat is a simple task that can save you money.
Working around electrical components can be dangerous, so be sure to consult a professional if you’re not comfortable with this process. A professional will have the tools and know-how to quickly diagnose and fix any problems that might arise. In addition, he or she will have experience with a variety of different types of heating and cooling systems. Ultimately, this will ensure that your home’s HVAC system is as efficient as possible.