What You Should Know About Air Conditioning Repair
Air Conditioning Repair Loveland OH is required when the cooling system starts exhibiting signs of malfunction. These include faulty thermostat settings, clogged air filters that require replacement and electrical issues causing unusual noises or leakages.
A service technician can help correct these issues and keep your home cool all summer long. These services also reduce humidity levels for better indoor comfort.
The capacitor is one of the most important components of your air conditioning system. This little device is responsible for providing the initial electrical surge to start the compressor and help it begin operating. If the capacitor becomes faulty, your air conditioner will stop functioning properly.
Capacitors are typically expected to last for about 20 years. However, there are several factors that can cause them to fail prematurely. For example, poor quality or oversized capacitors can lead to overheating and shorten their lifespan. Other factors that can contribute to shortened lifespans include manufacturing flaws, excessive electrical loads, and environmental conditions.
One of the most common signs of a bad capacitor is when your air conditioner starts and shuts off repeatedly. This problem may also be accompanied by humming sounds coming from the access panel of your air conditioning unit. If you suspect that your capacitor is failing, call a professional immediately.
While some homeowners may attempt to replace the capacitor themselves, it is generally recommended to leave this task to a professional HVAC technician. Capacitors contain up to 600 volts of electricity and pose a risk of electric shock if mishandled. A professional technician will be able to safely remove the old capacitor and install a new one that is sized appropriately for your system.
Some homeowners notice that their AC starts to work but then stops suddenly. This problem is usually caused by a bad capacitor, and it’s important to get it replaced as soon as possible. Trying to run your air conditioner with a bad capacitor will only put additional strain on the compressor and may damage it as well. It’s also a good idea to schedule regular preventive maintenance services to check for potential issues with your capacitor. In this way, you can avoid costly repairs later on. During these inspections, the technician will be able to spot problems with your capacitor early on. This will save you money in the long run and ensure that your air conditioner runs efficiently throughout the summer.
Contactors
A contactor is one of the key components that enables your air conditioning system to operate. It is a small electrical relay that connects or breaks the power supply lines running through a component like your AC compressor. Inside the contactor is a pair of latching electrical contacts that open to let electricity flow or close them to cut off power supply. When a cooling cycle is initiated by the thermostat, the contactor pulls in to allow the compressor to function, and when the cycle ends, the contactor rises to stop the flow of current. It’s when the contactor fails to do this that your cooling system will experience problems.
Problems with the contactor can be caused by any number of things. Mistakes during installation, voltage drops, current surges, or simply wear and tear from regular use. One of the more common issues is that the contactor’s connections fail to close, a process called “pulling in.” This causes the compressor to receive no power and produces a loud chattering sound every time it attempts to start.
Another common issue is that the contactor gets stuck in an up or down position, preventing it from closing or opening. This is due to either dirt or simple wear and tear, but it can also result from electrical arcing, which melts the insulation on the wires and welds the contactor’s contacts together.
A good way to check if your contactor is malfunctioning is to test it with a multimeter. After shutting off the power at the breaker panel and disconnecting the wires from the contactor, you can apply 24-volts to its coil and measure resistance between the two normally-open contacts using your multimeter. A meter will display 0 ohms of resistance when the contactor is operating properly, and 3.2 mega Ohms when it’s not. Attempting to replace a contactor without first testing it is risky due to high-voltage electrical wiring, and you should leave this job to the professionals. Nonetheless, a professional technician can quickly and easily identify and fix a contactor that is no longer functioning properly.
Clogged Evaporator Coil
A clogged evaporator coil prevents your AC system from properly cooling your home. It’s a common issue, and it’s also one of the most easily fixed problems. A professional air conditioning repair expert will have the tools and experience to diagnose the problem, clean the coils, and fix any other problems that are affecting your AC unit’s performance.
Dirty evaporator coils can cause the air conditioner to overwork and reduce its efficiency. The coils will be unable to absorb heat from the home’s air, and the AC system will run longer than necessary to compensate. This will lead to higher energy bills and reduced cooling performance.
Over time, dirt and debris will build up on the evaporator coil, creating an insulating layer that prevents it from absorbing heat. This can cause the coil to freeze over and stop the AC from functioning at all.
When this occurs, the blower fan won’t be able to move enough warm air across the coil for it to absorb heat. This can also lead to a refrigerant leak, which will further damage the coil.
To fix this issue, an AC technician will start by turning off the power to the air handler and disconnecting the blower motor. Next, they’ll remove any panel that is blocking the evaporator coils from view. They’ll use a vacuum cleaner attachment to loosen the most stubborn debris and dirt from the coils, and then they’ll spray them down with a commercial cleaning product.
Once the coils are clean, they’ll be ready to absorb more heat from the air in your home. The technician will also check the drain line for a clog and clear it if necessary.
A clogged coil can lead to many other issues, including high humidity levels, unpleasant moldy odors, and health risks from toxic mold spores. By preventing a clog by regularly maintaining your AC unit, you can keep it in good condition for a long time to come. Be sure to shut off the power to the AC unit before attempting any maintenance, and always follow the instructions on the cleaning product’s label for safety.
Blower/Fan Replacement
Located inside your home’s air handler is the blower fan motor that helps distribute heated or cooled air throughout the house. If this motor fails, neither your heating nor cooling system will work until it is replaced. If you are noticing squealing noises coming from your vents, it is likely time to replace this fan.
Oftentimes the blower motor is only one of several components that are experiencing issues, and it is important to do some basic troubleshooting before determining whether a new fan is required. Checking the air filters and ensuring all registers are open and free of obstruction will help in this process. However, if these steps do not solve the problem, it is important to seek professional advice. An HVAC expert such as Skylands Energy Service can thoroughly evaluate your system and determine if the blower or fan is the correct component to be replaced.
The first thing a technician will do before removing the old blower fan motor is to shut off power to the unit. Then they will disconnect the wires from the fan and remove any bolts or nuts that hold the blower in place. They will also test the capacitor and the fan for any signs of damage or wear that can cause further problems.
If the blower motor is causing your system to overheat, it could lead to permanent damage and an expensive replacement. Overheating can also result from the fan being jammed by debris, which is a common issue in areas with lots of trees. A jammed fan can also reduce airflow by restricting the movement of air through the vents.
If your blower is damaged, the technician will replace the motor and any necessary parts. The cost of the blower motor itself can vary from as low as $100 to as high as $1,000 depending on the size of your AC unit and the horsepower of the fan. The lower the horsepower, the cheaper the blower motor will be to replace. The best way to keep your blower motor running properly is through a routine maintenance plan that includes regular cleaning and replacement of air filters, yearly tune-ups and scheduling of professional inspections.