Maintaining Your Air Conditioner: Common Problems and Solutions

The air conditioner is a must-have in many places, especially in hot climates. But, like any other appliance, it can experience problems that require maintenance. Improper installation, poor service procedures, and inadequate maintenance can all lead to common issues with air conditioners. One of the most common issues is when the unit turns on and off repeatedly.

This can be caused by a faulty circuit breaker or an incorrect refrigerant charge. If the refrigerant charge does not match the manufacturer's specifications, the performance and efficiency of the unit will be impaired. Unqualified service technicians may fail to detect this issue or even worsen it by adding more refrigerant to a system that is already full. Leaks in the refrigerant can also be damaging to the environment and should be addressed quickly. If your air conditioner is leaking, simply adding coolant isn't the solution.

A trained technician must repair any leaks, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of coolant. Other common problems with air conditioners include incorrect thermostat settings, clogged air filters, and frozen coils. To prevent these issues, make sure to check your thermostat settings regularly and change your air filter every few months. Additionally, if you have an open floor plan or a large room, you may need an air conditioner with a higher capacity. Finally, it's important to call a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system maintenance department every few years and consider requesting a warranty for your air conditioner. This will help ensure that your air conditioner is running efficiently and safely. Maintaining your air conditioner is essential for keeping it running smoothly and avoiding costly repairs.

Regularly checking your thermostat settings, changing your air filter every few months, and calling an HVAC maintenance department every few years are all important steps in keeping your air conditioner in good working order. Additionally, requesting a warranty for your unit can help protect you from unexpected repairs.