A typical air conditioning unit in Canada will last for about 10-15 years.
HVAC systems are great for keeping your home comfortable. They can help you get through the chills of winter and keep the summer heat at bay. Unfortunately, like all home appliances, problems can come up.
In this guide, we'll cover some of the most common issues with residential central air conditioning and how you can troubleshoot them.
Inadequate Cooling
One of the biggest central AC problems you might find is that it's simply not cooling your home properly. You might only be getting a warm breeze from it, and on hot days, this isn't ideal. This can be caused by several things, such as a dirty evaporator coil, air filter, or the refrigerant levels could be low.
You should change your air filter regularly (follow the manufacturers guidelines) to ensure you have good quality air in your home. You should hire a professional to clean the evaporator coil.
If the problem isn't with either of these, call a professional to take a look. They'll be able to deal with any issues or determine if something else is causing the problem.
Unsteady Airflow
If the air isn't flowing properly, there are two main signs that you might notice. Firstly, the unit may be running, but there might not be any air coming through the ducts. Alternatively, air may be moving through the ductwork, but it might not be cooling at all.
The most likely causes of this are a worn blower belt, low refrigerant levels, or a tripped circuit breaker. Check your fuse box first, as a tripped breaker is easy to fix.
If this isn't the issue, you should call in a professional. They'll check for any internal issues and diagnose the cause. Some AC repairs should only be done by a professional, and this is a good example.
Weird Noises
Various things can cause your AC unit to make strange noises. This can include issues like:
Loose parts
Refrigerant leaks
Malfunctioning compressor
Unbalanced fan blades
It's best to have an HVAC technician take a look to determine what's causing the noise. They'll then be able to fix the issue.
Refrigerant Leaks
A faulty AC unit can leak both water and refrigerant. Condensation on the outside isn't anything to be concerned about, but if you spot a leak inside your home or any brightly coloured stains near your unit, this is a bigger issue. This is something you won't be able to fix yourself. You should call a professional as soon as possible to deal with it.
Frozen Coils
This can happen if you run your AC unit constantly. A frozen coil can result in huge energy bills, so it's something you'll want to avoid. Note that this is more likely when it's cold.
This may simply happen because your filter is dirty. Replace it, and things should go back to normal. If the coil is still freezing, there's likely another issue, so you should have a professional HVAC company take a look.
Thermostat Functions
Sometimes the issue can lie with the thermostat rather than the AC unit itself. Check to make sure it's at the temperature you set it to. Sometimes they lose the configuration you've set, so you can just change things back to how you want it.
If the screen isn't displaying properly, there's probably something wrong with it. This can cause problems for cooling or heating your home, so you may notice it at any time of year. Have a technician take a look at it, as it may need replacing.
Dealing With Common Issues with Residential Central Air Conditioning
There are all kinds of common issues with residential central air conditioning units. It's often difficult to diagnose the issue, and it can be even more difficult to fix it.
Comfort NEXT provides professional heating and cooling services Milton, Brantford, Aurora, Newmarket, and surrounding areas. Our skilled technicians can help with any issues that you might be having with your HVAC system. Take a look at our central air conditioning page to find out more about how we can help you today.
For a quote on our services, reach out to Comfort Next Heating & Cooling on our contact form or give us a call at 833-888-6398 for more information.