Summer is the time of year when you need to be most vigilant about detecting problems with your air conditioner. Preventive maintenance can keep your system fairly healthy during the high-stress summer season, but it’s not a perfect solution. Even with regular inspection and maintenance appointments, you need to keep an eye out for signs that your system is in trouble. One of the easiest ways to tell whether or not your air conditioner is in need of repairs is to listen for the system making weird noises during operation. If that starts happening, you should definitely have a technician take a look at the system for you. The following are some of the more common sounds that indicate your air conditioner is in trouble.
Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Repair’
Why Weird Air Conditioning Noises are Bad News
Monday, July 16th, 2018Why its’ Important to Have Your AC Filter Cleaned Every 3 Months
Monday, August 1st, 2016Did you know that your air conditioner contains an air filter? If you did, do you know where it is and how often it needs maintenance? Keeping your air conditioner’s air filter in good shape is vital for maintaining the health of your entire system. Read on to find more about your AC air filter, and what can happen if it isn’t cleaned every 3 months.
Listen for These Strange Air Conditioner Noises
Monday, May 2nd, 2016As we move further into summer, you’re going to start using your air conditioner to keep cool more often. That means more wear and tear on the system, which means more chances for something to break. One of the first signs that there’s a problem with your air conditioner is strange noises coming from inside it. So, let’s go over some of the strange air conditioner noises that indicate a problem with your system.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Icing Over?
Monday, April 4th, 2016Spring is coming to an end, which means you’re probably already starting to use your air conditioner on an increasingly regular basis. As you start to use your air conditioner more often, you may start to notice ice forming on the inside unit. This is not a good sign, and is something that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Read on to find out more about why air conditioner ice is such a bad thing.
Why is There Ice on My Air Conditioner?
Monday, June 15th, 2015As the days warm up, you’re going to start using your air conditioner more and more often. You may notice ice forming on your unit at some point during the summer. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? Unfortunately, ice on your air conditioner is invariably bad. Let’s take a look at what causes your air conditioner to ice over, and what can happen if the ice is not removed quickly.
The Vital Role Refrigerant Plays in Your Air Conditioner
Monday, June 1st, 2015Most people aren’t aware of how their air conditioner works, and strictly speaking, they don’t need to be. The more you know about your air conditioner, however, the better prepared you’ll be to address any problems that might afflict it. With that in mind, let’s take a look at one of the most important parts of your air conditioning system: the refrigerant.
Air Conditioner Parts: The Compressor
Monday, May 11th, 2015The most interaction that most homeowners tend to have with their air conditioners is when they adjust the temperature on the thermostat. While this isn’t a bad thing (that’s what the thermostat is there for, after all) it often means that homeowners are unaware of how their air conditioners actually work. Having even a rudimentary knowledge of how your air conditioner operates can be a great help in recognizing when it’s experiencing a problem. With that in mind, let’s examine one of the most important parts of the air conditioner: the compressor.
Why You Should Schedule Preventive Air Conditioning Maintenance this Spring
Monday, April 13th, 2015You may have heard it said that if you want to save some money, don’t bother calling a professional about your air conditioner unless you know there’s a problem with it. While this may seem like wise advice, it can actually end up costing you quite a bit more in the long run. Air conditioning systems can develop problems without any visible symptoms, which often come out during times of increased usage and stress.
Air Conditioning Repair Needs to Take Care of in the Spring
Friday, April 3rd, 2015The spring weather is so pleasant that, chances are, your air conditioning system is not something you think much about. Because you’re not running your air conditioning system frequently, it may seem as though you can put off AC repair for a while longer. However, as soon as you notice a problem, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible. Without prompt repair, the trouble may worsen and you’ll find yourself frantically calling for service in the middle of the hottest day of the year!
Some Common Repair Needs
- Leaky Refrigerant: When refrigerant leaks out of your air conditioning system, you may notice that you feel a little bit warmer, as your AC cannot effectively or efficiently cool down your home. Leaky refrigerant results in longer run times, which means your energy bills can skyrocket. What’s worse is that the coil may freeze as a result.
- Frozen Coil: When the indoor evaporator coil of your air conditioning system freezes, your air conditioning system is in jeopardy. The unit will run for longer periods, and parts may wear down in an attempt to compensate for the deficiency. And as the ice begins to melt, it may permanently damage the indoor air handler.
- Electrical Trouble: Does your air conditioning system seem to trip the circuit breaker too often? Do you notice that the unit struggles to start up? Electrical problems deserve immediate attention from a professional who can repair the damage safely and let you know if your unit is on its last legs. But sometimes, the fix is relatively inexpensive.
Consider Professional Maintenance
If you don’t find that your system is in need of repairs before the cooling season picks up, consider air conditioning maintenance to make sure your unit remains in top shape. Regular maintenance involves a comprehensive cleaning and adjusting which can improve the efficiency of your system, ward off repair needs, and make your unit last a little bit longer, potentially.
Call the experts at Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing today. We offer quality air conditioning repair in North Potomac, MD.
Can I Still Run My Air Conditioner with Low Refrigerant?
Monday, July 21st, 2014Your air conditioner would not be able to cool your home without refrigerant. As long as your air conditioner is turned on, refrigerant cycles throughout your air conditioning system, playing a vital role in heat exchange. The chemical has the ability to change from a gas to a liquid and back again as it reaches the various mechanical parts of your system, absorbing heat from your home and releasing it outdoors.
However, while refrigerant helps heat to dissipate, the refrigerant itself is not supposed to leave your system. If you have low refrigerant levels, it most likely indicates that there is a leak in your system. If you notice signs of low refrigerant levels, turn off your system and call an AC professional today for air conditioning repair in North Potomac, MD today.
Signs of a Refrigerant Leak
Leaks form along the refrigerant line because of corrosion or loose connections. Sometimes, refrigerant leaks are small and may go undetected for long periods of time. However, a hissing sound from your AC system is usually a good indicator of a refrigerant leak. Another sign that you may have a leak is reduced cooling power, since low refrigerant has a significant impact on heat exchange.
The Dangers of Low Refrigerant
Hissing noises and reduced cooling may seem like minor issues, but low refrigerant can cause major damage if you continue to run your system and do not call for air conditioning repair. One risk is that your system will break down when you need it most. Your system is designed to meet a certain refrigerant “charge,” and, if this charge changes, your system cannot keep up.
The compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant so it can give off heat at the condenser. Loss of refrigerant can cause the compressor to overheat, which may lead to a costly replacement. Low refrigerant may also cause your indoor evaporator coil to freeze, further preventing heat exchange until your system fails entirely.
For professional air conditioning repair in North Potomac, speak to an AC specialist at Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing and let us help you get your AC up and running again. Give us a call today to set up a service appointment!