Common Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner May Be Malfunctioning

Central air conditioning is both a luxury and convenience as it keeps our homes and businesses cool when the outdoor temperatures heat up. Central air conditioning units can malfunction, and because of this, you should schedule routine maintenance checkups with an experienced heating and cooling professional. Here are a couple of common reasons why your central air conditioner may be malfunctioning and some effective air conditioning repair strategies to help your system run more efficiently. 

Too Little Refrigerant

Having low levels of refrigerant is a common cause of central air conditioning malfunction. Refrigerant is a liquid chemical that absorbs the heat from the inside of a building and then relocates that heat outdoors. If your air conditioning develops cracks, the liquid refrigerant may leak out. When this occurs, the air conditioning unit may unable to cool the building until the lost amount has been replaced. Homeowners should not attempt to replace refrigerant. The air conditioning repair professional will determine where the refrigerant leak is coming from in the unit, repair the leak, and then replace the lost refrigerant. After it has been replaced, the unit should start cooling the building again. 

Dirty Air Filter

Another reason for a malfunctioning air conditioner is a clogged or dirty air filter. The air filter traps dust, pet hair, and dirt from the air so that it does not blow back into your living space when you have your air conditioner or heater on. If the air filter is not changed on a regular basis, debris will accumulate on it. If you or someone in your family notices a worsening in allergy symptoms when the air conditioner is on or if your home gets noticeably dustier when the air is on, it may be because the air filter needs to be changed or cleaned. 

Air filters can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores, however, if you are unable to change the filter, call a heating and cooling professional. When your air filters are changed on a regular basis, your air conditioner will operate more efficiently and you may even save money on your electric bill. 

If your central air conditioner does not run as efficiently as it should, contact an air conditioning repair professional and schedule a service visit. After they have diagnosed the problem and made the necessary repairs, your central air conditioner will be up and running in no time.

Reach out to an HVAC contractor to learn more about air conditioning repairs.


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