Tips on How to Prevent Common Air Conditioner Problems

It won’t be long before air conditioners all across Pasadena are humming nonstop, working 24/7 to keep us comfortable in the Southern California heat. Common air conditioning problems are inconvenient and can set you back a pretty penny. Preventing problems in the first place a matter of proper maintenance, so be sure to schedule your spring air conditioner maintenance before cooling season comes into full swing.

A preventive tune-up addresses most of the issues that can cause your air conditioner to fail, including these four common air conditioner problems:

Refrigerant leaks

Low refrigerant may cause your air conditioner to blow warm air, and the condenser coil may ice up. Refrigerant leaks are not only harmful to your comfort, but are detrimental to the environment as well. Your technician will measure the refrigerant level, check for and repair any leaks and top off your system for a correct charge.

Electric control failure

Fan and compressor controls wear out over time, especially in systems that are poorly maintained, and corroded wires and terminals can cause serious problems with your system. During your tune-up, your technician will test the electrical control, apply a nonconductive coating to your terminals and tighten your gas and electrical connections to prevent a number of common air conditioner problems.

Drainage problems

During periods of high humidity, your condensate drain may clog, shutting down your system. Preventive maintenance includes flushing the condensate drain and cleaning out the condensate pan. You can help keep it clean by maintaining the area around your air conditioner.

Dirty components  

Dust that enters your system settles on the fan, motor and coils, reducing system efficiency and leading to the premature failure of essential components. Your technician will remove dust from inside your system, but it’s up to you to keep new dust out by checking your air filter monthly and replacing it when it’s dirty, as well as hosing down your outdoor unit each month.

For more advice about preventing common air conditioner problems, or to schedule your annual maintenance visit, please feel free to contact us in the Pasadena area at Air-Tro, Inc.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Los Angeles, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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