No homeowner should go without needed AC repair, as a home’s air conditioning system removes heat as well as damaging humidity, protecting building materials and even furniture from the risk of mold and mildew. Excessive heat is also damaging to electronics and home appliances, and makes for a very uncomfortable interior environment.
The most common
mistakes homeowners make with AC repair is putting off this work, leading to
more extensive repairs; trying DIY repairs for which they’re not qualified; and
assuming that even an older air conditioner is repairable when it’s actually
time for a new air conditioning installation.
While your AC repair costs might run a few hundred or even a
few thousand dollars, depending on the extent of repairs and size of the HVAC
unit, it’s vital that you invest in these repairs as needed. It’s also vital
that you avoid several common mistakes homeowners often make when it comes to
fixing their residential air conditioning unit!
Before you call an AC repair contractor near you, note some
added details about these common mistakes made by many homeowners. You’ll then
be able to keep your home’s air conditioner in good repair and functioning
optimally and efficiently at all times, while also avoiding otherwise
unnecessary repair bills!
Why You Need to Avoid
These Common Mistakes With AC Repair
Consider a bit more in-depth information about residential
AC repair and mistakes homeowners often make when it comes to needed fixes for
their home’s HVAC system. This will ensure you avoid these mistakes and call an
AC repair contractor near you when needed!
Never put off needed AC repairs. Small fixes
often get worse over time, as loose or worn parts damage surrounding parts, or damage
becomes so great that a part now needs replacing rather than repairing. In
turn, those repairs are more expensive and time-consuming, the longer you avoid
them.
Using an air conditioner in disrepair also means
higher utility costs! A broken or damaged unit often draws more power in order
to force those worn parts to function, spiking your energy bills during summer
months.
Drawing excessive amounts of power also puts
added stress on the home’s electrical wiring and other parts. Those wires might
become worn and frayed and your air conditioner might continuously trip the
circuit, the longer you use it without needed repairs.
While homeowners today have access to air
conditioning repair tutorial videos and other instructional materials, and can
rent tools and equipment from home improvement stores, it’s still advisable
that you avoid DIY air conditioner repairs. Today’s HVAC units are more
complicated than ever and an air conditioner contains lots of sharp, moving
parts inside the compressor and your home’s furnace.
In some cases, an older air conditioner might
need replacement parts no longer manufactured. Rather than trying to fix up
another part or force something to fit or otherwise work, it’s best to have a
qualified AC repair contractor near you handle those repairs, so he or she can
choose the best replacement part available.
When an air conditioner part needs replacing,
it’s often recommended that you inspect surrounding parts for damage and wear.
Homeowners often neglect doing this, assuming that replacing a damaged part is
sufficient for repairs. An air conditioner contractor ensures that all parts
are inspected as needed and replaced as well.
Some air conditioning units, especially older
models, are simply irreparable. Too many worn and damaged parts as well as
parts that are close to failing often equals an AC unit that is simply in need
of replacing and not repairs. Rather than assuming you can “limp along” with a
defective unit, it’s best to call for new AC installation when needed.
Why Your Home Needs
AC Repair
Understanding some common reasons for needing AC repair can
help you keep your home’s air conditioner in good condition and avoid otherwise
unnecessary fixes.
Outside compressors need air circulation, to
keep the parts cool. Stacking items up on the compressor or building a blind
too close to the piece doesn’t allow for air circulation. Debris stuck in the
grilles also blocks air circulation and leads to the unit overheating and
suffering early wear and tear.
As with any electrical appliance, overuse causes
an air conditioner to overheat and suffer early wear and tear. Consider adding
fans around your home if the interior is always overly warm, or upgrading to a
larger and more powerful air conditioner, to avoid excessive use.
A home’s furnace filter traps and locks dust and
debris when the air conditioner is in use. A dirty filter keeps the air
conditioner working harder, to push air through that debris. Change the furnace
filter often during summertime, to avoid added wear on the AC unit.
As with filters, dirty ductwork puts added
pressure on a home’s AC unit. All that dirt and debris also settles into
interior rooms when the AC unit cycles on! Cleaning a home’s ductwork as often
as needed ensures a healthy interior environment and less wear on the AC unit.
Larger units and those with more functions might
require more power than smaller, basic HVAC systems. If you upgraded to a
larger AC unit without checking if that system needed upgraded wiring to
deliver needed power, this might have caused stress on that unit and added wear
and tear.
Neglecting regular AC maintenance puts added
stress on the unit. AC maintenance often includes oiling the bearings, dusting
and cleaning the unit, replacing worn belts, and the like, ensuring the HVAC
system is functioning properly and efficiently.
Tips for Keeping a
Home AC in Good Repair
Along with knowing why your home’s HVAC unit might need
repairs, it’s also helpful for homeowners to consider some simple tips for
ensuring their AC unit functions as it should, as efficiently as possible. Note
some tips for keeping your home’s air conditioner in good repair.
Avoid overusing the air conditioning unit. Cover
windows as needed, to block out sunlight and keep interior rooms cool. If you
needs lots of sunlight during summer months, invest in window film that blocks
hot UV rays while allowing in light.
As an air conditioner removes humidity as well
as heat, using a good dehumidifier can take some stress off your home’s AC
unit. It’s also vital to ensure a home’s roof vents are always free of
obstruction, as these let out trapped heat and humidity as well.
Homeowners often know to weather-strip their
windows or add some fresh caulk around window frames during wintertime, to keep
out cold wintery weather. Why not do the same during summertime? Keep your
draft guard at the bottom of entryway doors year-round and ensure windows and
doors fit tightly in their frames, without gaps that allow out your cooled air
and allow in heat during summertime.
Professional AC maintenance ensures all parts in
the HVAC system are functioning properly and in good repair. Investing in
regular AC maintenance costs can mean avoiding even more expensive air
conditioning repairs down the road! An AC repair contractor might also note
ways you can keep the HVAC system in good repair, such as constructing a blind
for the compressor or updating the home’s insulation.
A high-quality, clean furnace filter and clean
ductwork in a home ensures easy airflow throughout the house. In turn, your
home’s AC will suffer less wear and tear throughout the summer months.
Hidden Signs Your
Home Needs AC Repair
Never wait until your home’s AC unit stops working
altogether to call for needed AC repairs. Arranging needed repairs and
maintenance before the unit shuts down ensures your home is always cool and
comfortable, and can mean avoiding more expensive repair bills down the road.
Consider some signs of needed AC repair that homeowners often overlook.
High-pitched squealing noises typically indicate worn bearings. Once these bearings fail completely, many moving parts inside the air conditioner seize up. Avoid this risk by having the bearings checked for needed repairs and replacement once you hear those sounds.
A cold and clammy indoor environment might indicate that the AC unit is removing heat faster than it can remove humidity. The unit might be cycling on and off too often, typically meaning the thermostat needs calibrating or replacing, or the HVAC system might be oversized for your home.
A sudden increase in your utility bills that cannot be explained by a rate hike or other reason often indicates that the AC unit is working harder than it should.
If your home’s interior rooms always feel warm and stuffy even after the AC has cycled on and off, the unit might be undersized or it might need repairs! A broken fan or damaged motor often struggle to push cool air through the home’s ductwork, leading to a warm feeling even after the AC unit switches on and off.
Note, too, that air conditioning units have an expected
lifespan. If your home’s HVAC unit is at least five or six years old, and
especially if it’s a decade old, it’s probably time to consider AC replacement.
Even the best AC repairs can’t always fix an older unit, so think of upgrading
the system the next time you need to call an AC repair contractor near you.
