Summer has settled in and homeowners with AC are rejoicing in the cool and refreshing air provided by their units. Unfortunately, some homeowners will be faced with issues that will require cooling repairs. Like most home systems, it's best to catch problems in their early stages to prevent them from getting out of hand and costing you an arm and a leg. This article will explain the most common causes of AC problems and how to prevent them in the first place.

Low or Leaking Refrigerant

The lifeblood of your air conditioning installation is refrigerant. It's a fluid the AC unit uses to remove warm air from your home. If the fluid is running low, your air conditioner will be rendered useless. Make sure your refrigerant levels are topped off. If the problem persists, you may be dealing with a leak in your refrigerant lines. Refilling the tank is only a temporary fix in this case. Try to identify the location of the leak or leaks and call your HVAC technician to fix the problem permanently.

Leaking Ducts

Your air conditioning unit pushes cool air through ducts into the rooms throughout your house. Return ducts are also necessary to expel the warm air your air conditioner pulls in. A cooling system will need to work much harder to get the job done and raise your energy bills if there's a leak. High energy bills are a telltale sign of a leak in your ducts. They sit behind your walls, in your ceilings, and under the floorboards, so it can be difficult to identify the leak another way. If you suspect a leak, call your HVAC technician to identify the source. They will conduct thorough testing to figure out the problem and will be able to seal the ineffective duct.

Faulty Evaporator or Condenser Coils

Evaporator coils are filled with refrigerant and absorb the warm heat in your home. If the refrigerant does not get proper airflow, it can end up freezing the evaporator coils and render them useless. The evaporators need warm air flowing around them to do their job. If the vents in your home are blowing out warm air, then you may have something wrong with the evaporator coils.

Condenser coils help expel the warm air. They sit in the outdoor unit and are vulnerable to dirt and debris from the great outdoors. In cities with a lot of pollution, dirty condenser coils are a common cause of cooling issues. The system needs to work harder to expel heat through a layer of dirt. If you notice higher energy bills, it may be due to dirty condenser coils.

Faulty Thermostat

Sometimes your air conditioner is working perfectly, but there's an issue with the thermostat. Older dial thermostats are quite susceptible to poor calibration, but even modern programmable thermostats can be too complex and end up with the same issue. Use your owner's manual to re-calibrate the thermostat or call a cooling repair company to handle the problem for you.

Prevention

The best weapon against cooling problems is prevention. Proper maintenance will help protect your system from any major or minor malfunctions. Here are preventative measures you can take to ensure a long-lasting air conditioner:

• Replace Air Filters - The air filters in your cooling system catch dirt and debris, which prevents air from getting into your home. They need to be cleaned every once in a while to avoid getting clogged.
• Inspections - According to Home Advisor, your HVAC system should be inspected at least twice a year. This could be when you turn on your heating and again when you turn on your air conditioning. Expert technicians will be able to pinpoint problems before they rear their ugly heads.
• Clear Debris - Keep your outdoor unit clear of debris. Remove any shrubs or plants around the unit. Take off the outer wall and hose off any dirt at least once a year to prevent dirty condenser coils.

Taking proper preventative measures will help you avoid problems with your air conditioning. If you're in need of cooling repairs, then turn to the experts at Viglione Heating and Cooling. We offer cooling repair Branford, CT residents and the surrounding area can count on. Call today!