If you’re like most Florida residents, chances are you’ve been spending lots of time at the pool or by the beach this summer. There’s a lot to love about summer – from ice cream cones to barbeques – but you can’t enjoy everything it has to offer if your HVAC system isn’t ready to handle the heat.
Jacksonville, FL residents need to make sure that their HVAC system is in tip-top shape for summer. That’s why the air conditioning, heating, and electrical pros at Snyder have put together this handy Summer 2022 HVAC Repair Guide to equip you with the maintenance tips you need to stay cool and comfortable indoors.
Common HVAC Issues
You’ll feel much more confident tackling your HVAC problems yourself if you understand what the most common issues are. The problems you run into may be pretty simple such as an AC refrigerant that needs to be recharged, or they may be more challenging like AC capacitors that have failed. Whatever the case, keep an eye out for the symptoms we’ve listed below to quickly identify and resolve your problem.
Refrigerant Leak
Without AC refrigerant, you have no way to absorb the heat in your home, disperse it outside, and send cool air back indoors. So, if you notice a refrigerant leak, you should assume that your AC unit isn’t cooling the air that’s coming inside.
So, what do you look for to see if you have an AC refrigerant leak? The easiest thing to look for is an unexpected increase in your cooling costs. If your unit doesn’t have enough AC refrigerant, it’s going to be working overtime to try and bring your indoor temperature down.
You’ll also want to see if you can feel air coming from your vents. An HVAC system without refrigerant can’t do much to cool your home, so even if you feel air coming from your vents, it probably isn’t going to be cool enough to keep you comfortable.
Also, check for greater levels of humidity indoors. If your refrigerant level is too low, your indoor coil won’t be cold enough to get rid of moisture hanging around inside. Eventually, your indoor humidity levels will become unbearable unless you address your refrigerant leak.
Fix your refrigerant leak by either repairing or replacing the line that’s leaking, and then recharging your unit. Technicians like those at Snyder Heating & Air Conditioning can recharge your AC by replacing your unit’s refrigerant levels and pressurizing your refrigerant to make sure it properly cools your home.
Broken AC compressor fan
The compressor fan and condenser coils that are part of your AC’s outside unit release heat from the air to ensure your home stays cool. If your compressor fan stops working, it can no longer transfer heat out of your home and can eventually lead to your system’s compressor overheating.
To see whether your AC compressor fan has stopped working, check whether your outdoor unit is releasing hot air. If it’s only expelling air that’s cool or lukewarm, there’s a good chance that your fan isn’t working properly.
You’ll also want to listen for strange noises coming from your unit. Noises that sound like clicks or bangs can indicate an electrical issue with your compressor if your AC is on.
Your indoor temperature not cooling down is also a tell-tale sign that you have a bad AC compressor. If your outdoor unit’s motor doesn’t sound like it’s running (even if your indoor fan is working), you’ll want to consider contacting technicians to provide you with options for repair.
Fix your bad AC compressor by contacting qualified AC repair specialists like those at Snyder — taking care of a bad AC compressor is not a DIY project. We can help diagnose your issue and get your AC compressor and compressor fan back in working order.
Failed AC Capacitor
Your AC capacitor is the tall battery shaped like a cylinder that’s located in your HVAC system’s outdoor unit. Although it’s small, your AC capacitor can lead to your whole system shutting down if it isn’t working properly.
Faulty AC capacitors begin to misfire and, in turn, cause your AC unit to stop blowing cool air — it may even prevent your unit from powering up in the first place.
If you suspect you have a bad AC capacitor on your hands, there are a few symptoms you can check for. First, see whether your AC is delaying when it starts its cooling cycle and whether it’s turning off on its own — it may not even be turning on at all.
Also, check your air conditioner to see if it’s dispensing cool air or if it’s making any strange humming or buzzing sounds. Don’t forget to check whether your energy bills are unexpectedly high, either.
Considering that your AC capacitor is hooked up to your AC system using lots of different wires, fixing your AC capacitor is not a DIY job.
Summer HVAC Repair With Snyder Heating & Air Conditioning
When it comes to getting high-quality repairs for your cooling system that are delivered in a timely manner, it’s hard to beat working with a local AC repair contractor that has a reputation for success.
Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric has been a Jacksonville, FL legacy since 1973 and for good reason: we’re the area’s go-to source for HVAC repairs, replacements, and maintenance services.
The level of customer service and attention to quality service that we offer is unmatched by our competitors — why not give us a call at (904) 490-7444 this summer if you need a hand with your HVAC repairs? You can also book an appointment with us by visiting our Contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!