With summer rolling around and temperatures steadily rising, it is not unusual for your AC unit to work extra hard to keep you and your family cool and comfortable indoors. But alongside the added workload comes more risk of your unit malfunctioning. While maintenance can go a long way in preventing your AC from breaking down, it’s wise to have your HVAC service company’s number at hand in case of an emergency.

Stay on the lookout for any signs that your AC unit is malfunctioning or underperforming and learn more about some of the most common ac repairs our HVAC technicians at Gordon’s Heating & Air deal with during summer.

Contact us today to schedule HVAC services or to learn more about our financing options.

Thermostat

While the thermostat is meant to be approached with a “set it and forget it” mindset, it is often the cause of the AC not working. As the control center for the system, the network of connections and wires in the AC can quickly bring the entire unit to a halt — usually on a sweltering day — if one of these issues happens:

• Blown Fuse
• Tripped Circuit Breaker
• Open Electrical Connection
• Loose Wires
• Depleted Battery

But, before you call Gordon’s Heating & Air, check the battery, fuse box, and circuit breaker. If these areas check out, give us a call, and our technicians can troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair the problem.

Refrigerant

This repair may be two-fold, depending on the situation as it’s generally induced by a low refrigerant level. The low level can be caused by a leak or a failing air conditioner compressor. Most leaks start small, such as a pinhole, and are caused by direct damage to the coils in the outdoor unit or gradual corrosion.

A failing compressor is unable to provide the necessary amount of pressure to keep the refrigerant flowing through the coils. When a compressor fails, depending on the system’s age, a full replacement may be a more cost-effective repair.

Ductwork

Cooled and conditioned air might not seem like a heavy load, but it’s one carried by the ductwork every day. Constant airflow coupled with missing joint tape, damage from small animals, and unlicensed repairs often mean the ductwork is a prime candidate for summertime AC repair

Not addressing these issues can result in an uncomfortable indoor environment as the cool air is lost through leaks and higher electric bills.

Blower Fans

Each air conditioner has two fans — one to blow conditioned air into the building and another to move hot air outside. Similar to the thermostat, a blower fan repair can have several root causes.

• Capacitor Issues: A capacitor is the energy reserve to power the fans. When one develops an issue, the fan usually stops working properly.
• Contactor Issues: The contactor acts as an electrical switch for the unit’s compressor and condenser fan motor and ordinarily wears out as the unit ages.
• Burnt-Out Motor: Lack of AC maintenance is a common cause for burnt-out fan motors. These parts are moving when the air conditioner is powered on; thus they are under constant wear and tear. Regular maintenance allows technicians to examine the motors and take action before burnout occurs.
• Broken Or Loose Belts: The fans in older air conditioners were belt-powered. When these belts either loosened from the continuous operation or broke altogether, the fan was unable to spin.
• No Power To Unit: Tripped circuit breakers and other electrical issues can create a problem with the power supply. When this happens, the a/c itself, including the fans, won’t turn on or abruptly shuts off.