When you are living in a hot and humid climate like Florida, your summers are going to be horrible without an efficient air conditioner. Keeping your air conditioner serviced and at the peak of its performance is really important once summer is underway. However, if there are any issues, you might be better off having a look and troubleshooting before sending for the professionals. This can be a great help, especially at a time when their services are in such a huge demand.
Here are some tips for troubleshooting when your A/C is not working
Condenser isn’t working – check if the power is still on; there might be blown fuses or tripped MCBs which are installed to protect your expensive air conditioning equipment during power surges. Check the thermostat and change the setting and see if the a/c starts working. If the above two check out, then the problem might be with your motor or your compressor and so you have to call the repair man.
Cooling is inadequate – your thermostat might be set too high and that may mean your thermostat needs to be set at cooler temperatures to really be effective. Change the setting and check; if there is still inefficient cooling, then maybe the issue is with your evaporator, which might need cleaning or you may need a bigger air conditioning unit.
Condenser switches on & off frequently – this means that either your condenser or your evaporator is too dirty, causing blockages in the air movement; this means that you need to clean the condenser coils and fins; also you need to clean the evaporator and remove any blockages such as grass, weeds and bird feathers.
No cooling at all – if there is inadequate cooling, then cleaning your condenser and evaporator might help; if there is no cooling at all, then the problem with your a/c unit might be more serious and you might need to call the professionals. Check the thermostat and change the setting; check the condenser and the evaporator before doing so. It is better to check everything before the onset of summer, especially in hot and humid places like Jacksonville, Florida.
Noises in the duct – a high-pitched sound can indicate blockages in the return air, which means cleaning the intake slots, should fix the problem. In case of any other unusual sounds, call in a professional to have a look.
Other possible issues – this might be elementary, but you never know; check for any open doors and windows that might have been left open inadvertently by your children or pets. You won’t believe how many common problems have perfectly simple explanations and solutions.
In case you smell gas, leave the house immediately and call for emergency help from your neighbor’s phone or your cell phone. Do not turn on or off any electrical appliance. If your main power switch is outside or accessible from outside, turn that off. A gas leak is a serious matter and so you should wait outside for the emergency services, like the fire service personnel to come and give the all-clear before re-entering your home.
If you have a HVAC system installed, you have to also check for any damage in the wiring; sometimes rats can eat through wiring, and your system won’t be working. Also arrange to clean the air intake slots and outlet vents periodically for energy efficiency; a blocked intake slot or outlet vent means that your HVAC unit will be working that much harder, unnecessarily.
At Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric, we are aware of the importance of having an efficient HVAC system, particularly in the hot and humid summers that are typical to Jacksonville, Florida. Since 1973, our qualified and trained technicians have been helping the residents of Northern Florida stay cool. We are one of the largest a/c companies in the area and can service all makes and models of air conditioners. Call today for a free quote!
