Most Common Causes of AC Breakdowns

Summer isn’t here just yet, but it’ll be making its arrival in just a few more weeks on June 21. As we all know, this season comes with cookouts, family get-togethers, MUCH-needed vacations, and the constant complaints from children who say they’re bored and have nothing to do. What else is summer known for? The heat, of course! And if your home’s air conditioner isn’t working like it should, you’re going to have an uncomfortable home and a miserable family.

Here are the top 5 causes of an AC breakdown — and how you can avoid them.

#1). Lack of professional maintenance

Many homeowners think that if their AC seems to be running without any problems, then there’s no need to schedule an appointment for a tune-up. Not true. You should be scheduling an annual maintenance appointment for this heavily relied-on appliance. A professional AC technician will inspect and clean the working components inside your unit to be sure things are free of dirt or dust build-up, and are also operating efficiently. If a potential problem is detected, it can be taken care of early on before it results in the breakdown of your cooling system.

Not just that, but the skilled professional performing your AC maintenance will also check to ensure that everything is operating safely. The technician will inspect all wiring to make sure there aren’t any signs of fraying or other damage that could lead to the failure of the unit or become a fire hazard.

#2). Dirty air filter

Your air filter is likely installed as part of your furnace, and many homeowners make the mistake of not replacing it during the warmer months of the year. They think that if their heating system isn’t running, then they don’t need to worry about swapping the filter out regularly. Well, it’s important to understand that your heating and cooling systems likely share a blower and ALL conditioned air passing through your home must first go through this same filter, regardless of if you’re running your air conditioner or furnace.

Replace your filter monthly during the peak of the heating and cooling seasons. You may need to swap it out more often if you have smokers or pets in your home, as these things could cause the filter to get dirty much quicker than usual.

The filter’s job is to block airborne materials and prevent them from getting pushed out through your home’s vents. When the filter is clogged with dirt and dust, airborne materials aren’t getting through — but conditioned air isn’t either. This means that your HVAC system must work harder than normal, and this extra strain could lead to premature wear and tear on your units, or even an expensive breakdown.

#3.) Improper air flow

The part of your air conditioning system that’s outside your home is known as the condenser. Inside it are coils that refrigerant passes through. A fan blows over the coils to help the heat in the refrigerant to dissipate. Your condenser needs a minimum of two feet of clearance around each side of the unit for it to work properly.

This means that if you have bushes or tree limbs growing too near to the condenser, or if you (or the kids) use the unit as a table, or prop bikes, patio chairs, etc. against it, air can’t easily move through. Without proper air flow, the unit can’t operate like it should and the heat from the refrigerant can’t dissipate. In turn, this forces your AC to work harder than it needs to to keep your home at the temperature set on your thermostat.

#4.) Refrigerant leaks

The refrigerant in your air conditioning system is responsible for absorbing heat from inside your home and converting it into cool air to keep your family comfortable. When you have a refrigerant leak, your cooling system lacks one of its most vital components to keeping it operating efficiently. If your AC doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you’ll have a home that feels hot, humid, and otherwise just uncomfortable — regardless of the temperature set on your thermostat. It ultimately can lead to a breakdown of your unit.

Refrigerant leaks make themselves known most often by a “hissing” sound that will come from your air conditioner when it’s running. This is a result of the remaining refrigerant trying to pass through cracks or holes inside your system. If you think you may have a problem with a refrigerant leak, contact a cooling professional immediately. This is a problem that, if left neglected, could become quite costly to fix.

#5.) Broken thermostat

Your thermostat is the part of your heating and cooling system that allows you to manage the temperature inside your house. This device usually hangs on your wall and is powered through wiring inside your home, or by batteries. Regularly check on the power source to your thermostat. After all, it’s what’s responsible for sending signals that let your heating and cooling systems know when to cycle on or off. If the thermostat isn’t operating like it should, you may have an AC that never shuts off, for example. This could cause unnecessary wear and tear on your unit and lead to a breakdown.

If your thermostat uses batteries, replace them every few months. If the thermostat is hardwired into your home, have an electrician or heating and cooling professional inspect it to be sure there are no signs of fraying or damage that could eventually lead to a fire.

Protect your budget with our AC coverage!

When you enroll in our Cooling System Repair Program and a covered problem occurs, you don’t have to panic and worry about what this will mean for your family’s savings. This warranty plan provides up to $1,750 in coverage — and this includes repair fees and labor costs. So instead of trying to find a reputable and affordable AC repair service when your cooling system breaks down, enroll in our plan ahead of time. You’ll have the peace of mind you deserve knowing that your budget is safe in case of an unexpected AC breakdown this summer.