Did you know Earth’s hottest location is Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California? The average summer temperature tops out at 113°F (45°C). Luckily, Louisiana isn’t that hot, meaning your AC unit has a chance against the summer heat. However, it’s not unusual for homeowners to have a list of AC repairs that need tending to.
Below, we explain what causes the most common AC malfunctions. We’ll also provide AC repair tips to help you keep your HVAC system running between technician visits.
Low Refrigerant Charge
Low refrigerant charge is one of the most common HVAC problems homeowners contend with. Despite the technical-looking language, “low refrigerant charge” simply means your AC has little refrigerant.
Refrigerant is a chemical compound that changes from liquid to gas and back to liquid. The phase-changing substance circulates through coils within your air conditioner.
Over time, these coils may develop tiny holes where the refrigerant leaks out. Once enough leaks away, your AC unit has trouble cooling your home.
Air Conditioning Troubleshooting: Refrigerant and Air Filters
One way to troubleshoot and resolve this issue is to change the air filter. Dirty air filters restrict airflow, which reduces pressure inside evaporator coils.
The refrigerant evaporates slowly and flows through the coils at below-freezing temperatures, causing them to ice over. Replace the filter and run the unit fan to melt the accumulated ice.
If changing the filter doesn’t work, you may need to call your local technician to check for and repair any leaks. When they’re done, they can top off your refrigerant.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
The coils that refrigerant flows through to remove heat from your home are evaporator coils. Your air conditioner sucks in warm air, which passes over the coils and is absorbed by the refrigerant.
The refrigerant travels through the unit to the condenser coils, transporting warm air outside. The refrigerant inside the condenser coils re-liquifies once relieved of heat and travels back into the evaporator coils.
This process repeats to cool your house. Frozen coils may result from low refrigerant and dirty filters but can freeze due to other common HVAC problems.
What Freezes Evaporator Coils and How to Fix It
These issues include debris accumulation on the evaporator and condenser coils and damaged blower fans. Many complications that cause frozen evaporator coils have the effect of reduced airflow in common.
Dirty filters, coils, and broken fans keep the evaporation process from happening via reduced temperature regulation. Other complications that can freeze evaporator coils are:
- Kinked refrigerant lines
- Blocked condensate lines
- Thermometer issues
Simple DIY fixes include:
- Turning up the HVAC thermometer
- Replacing its batteries
- Changing the air filter.
You can DIY clean evaporator coils with a can of compressed air, a soft brush, and a microfiber towel.
Cleaning condenser coils is a more involved process. First, remove debris from the coils with a soft bristle brush. Next, clean the coils with a dedicated cleaner (or a water/vinegar mix).
Let the solution sit for five to ten minutes. Your final steps are to rinse the coils and let them air dry. Cut off the power to your AC unit before cleaning either set of coils.
Unclogging a condenser line may take some work, but it is possible. Methods include:
- Dislodging debris with a pipe cleaner or wire hanger
- Pour vinegar down the drain line to kill mold and mildew
- Use a wet/dry vacuum to suck the clog from the line
However, some problems are beyond what DIY AC repair tips can solve. A broken blower fan and certain thermometer issues may require professional aid.
Fan Problems
The thing about AC repairs for homeowners is that each problem feeds into another. For example, we discussed frozen evaporator coils. This, in turn, required bringing up another common AC issue: dirty condenser coils.
We brought up broken blower fans regarding frozen evaporator coils. What we didn’t mention is that your air conditioner has two fans.
One blows air over the evaporator coils, and the other blows outdoor air over the condenser coils. The simplest AC troubleshooting tip is to check the filter.
Clogged air filters don’t directly harm the fan but make it work harder due to dust and debris restricting airflow. Other possible problems include:
- Belt issues
- The belt is what spins the fan blades
- Belts can loosen over time or break
- Motor issues
- Motors can malfunction or burn out
- Contactor issues
- The contactor controls electrical flow to an AC’s components
- It can hamper proper electrical flow when damaged
- Capacitor issues
- Provides initial jump-start and continuous power to run the AC
- Damaged capacitors can inhibit fan function
- Electrical issues
- Can range from blow fuses to tripped circuit breakers
- Often happens when the AC uses too much energy.
You can handle all these common AC repairs if you have the proper skills. Most require working with electrical components, which is inadvisable for the average homeowner.
Rapid Cycling
Your AC is designed to cut on and off to regulate your home’s temperature. But rapid cycling is when this happens constantly, regardless of how cool it is, and means something isn’t right.
Rapid cycling has many causes. Clogged air filters, defective compressors, ill-placed thermostats, and low refrigerant levels are a few culprits. The compressor is the heart of most AC functions and isn’t an easy fix.
Likewise, you can’t refill the refrigerant or move your thermometer yourself. You’ll need a technician to do this for you.
We Handle AC Repairs for Homeowners
Baton Rouge residents should understand how AC maintenance for homes works. But there are some things you need a professional for. That’s where ClimaServ Heating & Air Conditioning can help.
We handle AC repairs for homeowners, HVAC maintenance, and more throughout Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We keep the cost of AC repairs transparent.
You can count on reliable services delivered by expert technicians—satisfaction guaranteed. Use our online form to receive an instant quote or for our 24-hour HVAC emergency services.
