Have you ever wondered about why your small home’s air conditioning unit might need a little TLC? It’s not always clear to see why you might need support with your AC units; however, there are actually several reasons this could help.
In line with this, today, we’re looking at some of the most common reasons your small home’s AC might need some TLC. Hopefully, by understanding these reasons, you can take steps to ensure your small home’s AC continues working at peak efficiency all year round.
10 Common Reasons Your Home’s AC Might Need TLC
You might need to give your property’s AC unit a little TLC for many different reasons, and the following can all be worth keeping in mind.
#1 Dirty Filters
One of the biggest reasons you might need to fix your home’s AC is simply because the filters have gotten dirty and impacted over time. Indeed, with regular use, the filters in your AC unit can become clogged up with dirt, dust, and other debris. This makes it harder for the unit to circulate air, reducing its overall efficiency.
#2 Low Refrigerant Levels
Another common issue with your AC unit is a lack of refrigerant. Indeed, refrigerant is a crucial component of keeping your system operating efficiently; as such, if it begins running poorly or does not provide reliable cooling to the air, there’s the chance that you may need to top up the refrigerant levels (or check for a leak).
#3 Faulty Wiring
Unfortunately, faulty wiring can have numerous consequences for your property’s air conditioning units. In line with this, if you have been experiencing difficulties with your AC, make sure you consider getting someone out from a local AC repair team to check the wiring.
#4 Thermostat Issues
In many cases, we assume that air conditioning issues are the result of a major problem – but sometimes, this might actually be as simple as a problem with the thermostat. Indeed, if your AC’s thermostat isn’t working normally, it could fail to provide the necessary level of cooling for your home – in turn resulting in greater discomfort and poor results from cooling. As such, if you’ve noticed that your air conditioning unit isn’t providing enough cool air or if it does kick in when you expect it to, getting a professional out to check the thermostat may help.
#5 Damaged Compressor
If your air conditioning unit’s compressor gets damaged, you may need to take steps to overcome this frustrating issue. Indeed, the compressor actually plays a vital role in heat exchange, and as such, your air conditioning unit will likely struggle to operate efficiently if this isn’t at peak performance.
#6 Frozen Evaporator Coil
Another key challenge that many people experience with their AC units is frozen evaporator coils. Indeed, in the process of cooling, it’s actually possible for the refrigerant to become too cold – usually due to a lack of warm airflow, such as when the system gets clogged. In turn, this can result in the evaporator coil freezing up, potentially even fully encased in ice.
Fortunately, this is usually a simple fix; disconnecting the AC and allowing the evaporator coil to thaw out naturally should be enough. This step typically takes around a day but can help restore the system to its normal functionality. You may need to clean the coils to prevent the issue from happening again, though.
#7 Tripping Circuit Breaker
In some more serious scenarios, your air conditioning unit’s circuit breaker could trip, and this could leave the air con failing to operate normally. In line with this, if you notice that the circuit breaker has tripped, be sure to call out a local repair team to fix the issue. Don’t turn the unit back on, as doing so could put your property at risk of a fire breaking out.
#8 Strange Noises
If you have noticed strange noises with your air conditioning system, this could indicate that there is a problem needing addressing. Common issues include grinding sounds (which usually relates to the motor or compressor) or clicking noises (often an obstruction). Fortunately, your local AC repair team should be able to give you more information about why your AC isn’t operating as normal, allowing you to get it repaired if needed.
#9 Overworked System
In the end, there’s only so much that a single air conditioning unit can do. In line with this, if you notice that your air con isn’t working efficiently to cool the room and can’t think of any other issues, it may simply be that the system is overworked. In this case, you may need to invest in a new or additional unit to help handle the challenge of cooling a larger space. There are other factors that could also lead to your AC having to work especially hard, though, such as not insulating your small home properly.
#10 Old Equipment
Unfortunately, all air conditioning units are prone to aging – and even the highest-quality system will suffer after repeated use. As such, if your AC is old or has been used heavily, there’s a good chance it’s simply gotten worn down with time due to wear and tear.
Wear and tear can affect any unit, but it may be possible to extend the life of your system by investing in replacement parts. So, if you’re not quite ready to fully replace the AC, but you know it’s been struggling, make sure to contact a local repair team to see what they can do. But, invariably, most air conditioning units won’t continue running smoothly past ten years old; if this is the age of your AC, it may be time to consider replacing it with a newer and more efficient model.
Final Thoughts
We often rely on our AC units during the hot summer weather. As such, there’s never a good time for them to go wrong; luckily, though, keeping an eye on the most common air conditioning faults and problem can allow you to more easily manage your system and keep your small home comfortable in temperature.