Depending on the weather, having an AC in the house can be a luxury comfort or a downright matter of life and death.
The significance of having a functioning air conditioning system increases with the intensity of summer heat. But just like any other electrical appliance, ACs are vulnerable to breaking down at any moment due to their intricate internals, every small part of which needs to function in harmony for the AC to work. They are also one of the most heavily used appliances in a household, putting them at a higher risk of malfunctioning and needing maintenance. Regular maintenance is important to make sure that an air conditioner keeps running without any problems, but even that isn’t guaranteed to stop it from breaking down randomly.
In this article, we’ll look at the basics of AC repair and why it is in your best interests to be quick about it.
Understand The Basics of The Internal Mechanism
The simplest explanation of what an AC does is that it cools indoors by transferring the heat outside. It does this with a combination of parts inside, namely a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and, most importantly, the refrigerant. The refrigerant is a fluid that plays a crucial part in transferring heat from indoors to outdoors by absorbing the heat in liquid form and turning it into gas and then liquid again, thus releasing the heat outside. The refrigerant continues this cycle of converting from liquid to gas and helps achieve its purpose with the compressor, condenser, and evaporator.
Refrigerant charge is the level of refrigerant in the system, and it is important as having too much or too little will cause the AC to not function properly. Many problems with an AC can be traced back to not having enough refrigerant, which could be caused by a leak in the system, as refrigerant levels are not supposed to decrease significantly over time.
Other adjacent parts also contribute to the air conditioning process, such as the filters inside the AC that stop dirt from getting into the internals and the thermostat, which reads the temperature and tells the system when to lower or raise the temperature.
Identify The Source of The Problem
Now that you know how an AC works, you are ready to jump right into the repair. However, one crucial step remains, which is to identify the source of the problem. A universal problem faced by almost every AC owner at some point is insufficient cooling, an issue that makes itself known easily as you are bound to notice it almost right away. There could be numerous reasons behind this, from dirty filters to internal electrical failures or leakage. The outdoor unit could also be obstructed by rubble, which will hinder proper airflow. You should also check the AC power supply to see if there is any problem there.
Ice forming on the AC is another common problem people face sometimes, and it can be the fault of a refrigerant leak, which freezes the coils that carry the refrigerant. It is also caused by a lack of airflow or clogged drains, which can be the reason behind several other issues as well, such as leaking water.
The trouble could be within the thermostat as well, which tells the main AC system about the temperature of the surroundings. You may need to replace your thermostat, and a good one can make a big difference.
DIY or Call for Professional Help?
If you are going to try some repairs by yourself, make sure you are acting on good information. Either refer to the official manual of the AC to see if it has any useful suggestions or contact the company directly to see if they have any advice to give about troubleshooting. Replacing or cleaning the filters is a basic task you can do by yourself, but if you have never done it, it would still be best to watch a YouTube video on how to do it beforehand. The internet hosts an endless amount of information about how to fix things.
When it comes to more serious issues with internal parts such as the compressor or refrigerant, then you are better off calling for professional help as the technical know-how required to deal with these parts is beyond the average person’s ability. The decision to call an expert will depend on your ability to understand the extent of the problem. For air conditioner repair, Dallas has many professional service providers who can help you with that.
As a last tip for DIY enthusiasts, make sure you have all the right tools and parts needed for the repair before you start, as well as safety equipment such as gloves and goggles.
Why the Right Time to Fix Your AC NOW?
Just like with the human body, when your AC starts showing signs that there is something wrong with it, it’s best not to sit on the problem. It could be a minor issue at first that is quick to deal with, but by delaying it, you run the risk of it growing into something much worse that will be more time and money-consuming to deal with.
Speaking of cost, there’s also the matter of energy efficiency. A system that isn’t functioning as it should cannot be efficient, and what that means for you is that your AC will be doing less work for the same level of energy consumption, if not more, and the extra cost will be coming out of your pocket. As a matter of fact, one of the telltale signs of a dysfunctioning AC might be that you’ll start to see higher energy bills out of nowhere.
Lastly, there is the matter of comfort and, most importantly, safety. A faulty AC jeopardizes your and your family’s safety, as there have been many cases where minor complications in an AC have caused it to catch fire or even explode. In the searing heat of summertime, it is the AC that makes your home comfortable to live in, and if there is anything a home should at least be, it is comfortable. Fixing your AC also ensures that the air quality inside your home is good and free of pollutants. Prompt repairs also help with increasing the lifespan of the machine, helping you get the most service out of it.
