A broken A/C can feel like the end of the world, especially if it coincides with a scorching day here in South Florida. Routine maintenance of your AC unit should catch potential problems, but there is always the possibility that your system breaks down, fails, or stops working correctly precisely when you need it. In today’s blog and the following entry, we will tackle some of the most common issues with modern AC units and how to address them.
AC Won’t Turn On – Sometimes, the whole A/C unit won’t respond to inputs and fails to turn on. This can either be a minor issue or a larger one that demands extensive repair work. A blown fuse is one of the most common reasons for an unresponsive AC unit. Hot Florida weather can sometimes lead people to overwork their AC. Depending on the length of time the unit is run at full power and the quality of the other components in the system, the fuse might blow. A blown fuse can be checked by looking in the ‘disconnect enclosure’ usually found adjacent to the outdoor AC unit.
The AC unit is also being powered by your home’s electrical breaker, which might have tripped due to failure or excessive load. If your breaker is labeled correctly, return the breaker powering your AC to the ‘On’ position and check if it begins running. If it trips again, an underlying electrical issue needs to be addressed.
There are many more potential reasons for an AC unit that simply won’t turn on. Most of the other common issues are wear and tear of components such as air filters, condensers, power cords, and motors. Depending on the manufacturer and model of your AC unit, plus your familiarity with these types of appliances, the ease with which you can check the quality of components varies. Certified electricians in your local area can find any issues with a quick consultation. Luckily, components such as air filters and motors are not prohibitively expensive for the average homeowner, and some parts can be refurbished for extra savings.
AC Is Not Cooling The House – The purpose of your cooling system is obviously to cool your home when the Florida weather feels like 200 degrees. Even if your unit is powered on, its performance might not be up to snuff. If you find your system struggling to keep up with demand or your AC is not producing any cool air whatsoever, you should investigate some of these common problem areas.
You might think this is obvious, but every electrician or tradesman has gone to a house expecting a tough job only for them to inform the homeowner that the thermostat was not set correctly or the power cord was not plugged in. To avoid this embarrassment and save time and money, make sure your thermostat is set to the correct settings to cool your home. Your AC might be working exactly as instructed; the instructions are just incorrect. Remember not to overload your AC by setting the temperature on the thermostat extremely low on the hottest day of the year.
Your A/C could struggle to provide cool air to the home if the air is blocked by dust, debris, and other particulates. The culprit could be vents or air filters. A dirty air filter forces your entire system to work harder to produce the same results, but oftentimes this is the least of your worries. Filthy filters can reintroduce dust into the house and prevent the temperature from reaching your preferred level. Dirty and clogged vents, too, can cause this issue, but they are less common for homeowners to worry about. Ensure your vent openings are free of obstructions to allow cool air into the home.
Inefficient A/Cs or systems that refuse to start are just a few of the potential problems. Read our future blog to learn about more common issues that homeowners face.
Ocean Air is a professional A/C services firm located in Sarasota and serving homeowners from North Port to Sun City.