With our sweltering South Florida heat, an air conditioner is a major convenience that makes our daily lives bearable. Unfortunately, despite its necessity, many homeowners don’t properly maintain their system. This often results in emergency calls to an HVAC technician for both basic and serious AC problems.
HVAC technicians have found that most homeowners are not familiar with the components of the AC, how they fit together, or how the AC functions. Often, due to user negligence, AC problems occur that could’ve easily been prevented.
Due to the nature of its work, and the numerous components it contains, the AC needs to be cleaned and serviced regularly. Technicians find that apart from neglecting regular maintenance, most air conditioners malfunction due to issues that could have been avoided:
An air conditioner is only able to control the room temperature if there is no outside air interference. Open windows and doors allow the hot outside air in, while also allowing the cool air to escape. This makes life very difficult for the AC to regulate the temperature and puts a lot of unnecessary strain on the system.
Some large appliances generate a lot of heat. Placing the AC near these appliances forces it to work harder in an attempt to keep the room cool.
A solution to this dilemma is two-fold:
Tears or snags in the ductwork will result in the cold air, intended for the room, getting trapped in the walls. This not only forces the AC to work harder to control the room temperature. Additionally, it will also cause an increase in your electrical bill. Regular maintenance of the air conditioner and ducts will eliminate this problem.
Refrigerant kick-starts the air conditioner’s cooling system. If the refrigerant is leaking, the AC will not be able to reach the set temperature and cool the room effectively. Regular air conditioner maintenance ensures that refrigerant levels are where they should be and that there is no presence of a leak.
Not surprisingly, a dirty AC will struggle to function effectively. Several components need regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure the AC cools the air to the set temperature.
Regular maintenance and cleaning must be carried out on:
Without regular maintenance and cleaning, the drain line will clog with dust and particles, causing the pan to fill up with water and eventually leak. The leaking water will damage the unit over time, and anything around it. This can result in some very costly repairs.
Pro tip: You can clean your air conditioner’s drain line with distilled white vinegar in five easy steps!
For the best results, experts recommend cleaning your AC condensate line every 30 days.
Thermostats determine the temperature of the air around them and will activate the AC to cool the room to the desired temperature. If the air conditioner does not seem to be cooling the room, it could be a simple matter of:
Fuses, wiring, and breakers in the main electrical panel also succumb to wear and tear. Regular inspection and maintenance of the main panel and electrical circuit will ensure that the HVAC functions as it should.
Are you suffering in the heat because of a faulty air conditioning system? Look no further, help is here! Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric have been the HVAC specialists of choice in South Florida since 1983.
Don’t let your AC make you hot under the collar, our licensed and experienced HVAC technicians are available Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays for any emergency. Give Art a call at 1-800-475-1504 or check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube today!