Air Conditioning

When the hot and humid weather sets in during June here in Georgia, you need to be able to rely on your home air conditioning system to stay comfortable. Unfortunately, with the increase in demand, your air conditioner may experience issues. We’ll discuss some of the most common problems you may experience and how to have them fixed.

Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your air conditioning system. If any of it is allowed to leak out into the air, your system’s ability to function will continually reduce. Refrigerant can leak out due to loose fittings and holes that develop in the refrigerant lines or coils. When your system gets too low on refrigerant, it won’t be able to effectively pull heat out of the air inside your home.

You’ll notice your home feels hotter than normal, no matter how long your air conditioner runs. It’s best to have one of our professionals evaluate your AC system to determine where refrigerant is leaking out. Once we’re able to repair the issue, we can recharge your system’s refrigerant level to return it to functioning like normal. Turn to us for emergency AC repair!

Dirty Coils

Both the evaporator and condenser coils are the key locations in your system where heat transfers between the air and your refrigerant. If the coils get too dirty, it can restrict the transfer of heat in or out of the refrigerant inside the coil. Without your system’s refrigerant being able to absorb heat from inside your home, it won’t be able to effectively cool it.

In most instances of dirty coils, your system will run until the coils actually freeze up because the refrigerant inside them gets too cold. You’ll notice the air coming out of your vents feels very warm. You’ll see ice on the coils. It’s important to not only defrost the coils but also thoroughly clean them before turning your system back on. Our HVAC technicians have a specialized cleaning solution that is tough on removing stuck-on grime but doesn’t damage the coils.

Airflow Blockages

For your air conditioner to continually cool your home, it needs to have a free flow of air. This includes air circulating throughout all your ductwork and moving through your outdoor condenser unit. Over time, debris can accumulate inside your ductwork and restrict the flow of air through it. You’ll start to notice weak or little airflow coming out of all your vents. One of our HVAC technicians can use our specialized equipment to thoroughly clean your ductwork to remove that buildup.

When it comes to your outdoor condenser unit, you can typically remove the debris on your own. You’ll need to keep the condenser free of physical obstructions like leaves. Additionally, trim back any shrubbery or low-hanging branches, as they could restrict the airflow within a 3-foot radius of the unit.

Dirty Air Filter

The air filter for your AC unit is responsible for removing unwanted airborne particles from your indoor air. While it’s effective at doing this when the filter is in good condition, eventually the filter will be too full of debris to remove any more. It will act as a wall inside of your ducting and will significantly restrict the airflow through it.

This can leave your home feeling uncomfortably hot and even cause your air conditioner to shut off due to overworking. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. All you need to do is put in a new air filter. If you or another member of your household suffers from summertime allergies, you’ll likely want to purchase a filter that has a MERV rating above 10, as this offers better filtration to improve your indoor air quality level.

Leaky Ductwork

Over time, metal ductwork will expand and contract with the change in temperature. This can cause joints to loosen over time, which will allow the air inside your ducting to escape into your wall and floor cavities. When your ducting accumulates a lot of leaks, your air conditioner will struggle to deliver the cold air it produces to all the rooms of your home.

You’ll notice uneven cooling, and your home likely won’t get down to your desired temperature. We recommend duct sealing service to close up those leaks. This will ensure all the cold air your AC unit produces actually makes it to the rooms in your home. You’ll need this service about every 10 years.

Repairing vs. Replacing

Whenever your air conditioner breaks down, it’s important to consider whether it’s worth repairing. Most central air conditioners typically have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, while heat pumps and ductless mini-splits last for 10 to 15 years.

If your air conditioner is nearing the end of its useful life, it’s typically best to upgrade instead of putting money into an aging appliance that’s not going to last much longer. If the repair cost for your existing system equals one-half or more of the total cost of a new unit, it’s best to replace it.

Importance of Routine Maintenance

One of the best ways to significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a problem with your air conditioner is scheduling routine maintenance. We recommend professional tune-ups in early spring to prepare your colling system for the summer heat.

Our professional maintenance includes inspecting, cleaning, and testing all the internal components of your air conditioner to ensure that it’s working efficiently. This service not only maintains the warranty coverage on your AC but also gives you peace of mind that it’s operating in an energy-efficient manner.

Apart from professional maintenance service, there are tasks you can do to ensure your system is always working efficiently. One of the most important is routinely checking the air filter every month and replacing it whenever necessary.

Always have a spare filter ready to go so you can do a replacement immediately. Additionally, it’s best to check around the outdoor condenser unit once a month to confirm there’s nothing restricting the flow around it.

Bonus Tips for Reducing AC Strain

When the weather gets overly hot outside, any air conditioning system will work overtime to try and keep your home cool. There are a couple of things that you can do to reduce the strain on your air conditioner during these hot times.

One of the most effective methods is to use blinds or curtains to block out direct sunlight from coming into your home. This will prevent sunlight from heating up your interior temperature, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to combat the rise in temperature.

Another way to prevent excessive AC strain is to use the exhaust fans in your home. Anytime that you’re cooking on the stove or taking a hot shower, your exhaust fan will directly vent that hot, humid air to the outdoors. If you fail to run your fans, that humid air can remain inside, making your air conditioner run longer to combat the increase in temperature and humidity.

Reliable AC Repair Service

Kennon Heating, Air & Plumbing offers reliable AC repair service for the Cumming, GA community. We can also help with all your air conditioning installation, replacement, and maintenance needs.

Get in touch with us today to book your next service appointment.

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