What You Need to Know About AC Repair

A faulty air conditioning unit does more than make your home hot. It can also cost you a lot of money throughout the summer season.

Regular maintenance can prolong your AC unit’s life and increase its value when it comes time to sell your home. But even with a maintenance appointment, your AC unit may require repair work. For professional help, contact AC Repair Woodland Hills now!

The compressor is one of the most important parts of your air conditioning system. Its role is to turn liquid refrigerant into a gas, which it then blows over evaporator coils in your home to cool the air. If your compressor fails, repairing or replacing the unit could cost you a lot of money. However, you can prevent AC compressor failure by keeping up with regular maintenance.

Many residential air conditioners make a low humming sound while running. But if you notice that the sound is louder than usual, or you hear banging, rattling, clicking, growling or screeching sounds, you may have an issue with your compressor. The reason behind these sounds is that the compressor is no longer turning the refrigerant into a cool, dry gas.

Large compressors are tucked away in the attic, crawl spaces, storage rooms and outside, and they often don’t get cleaned. The dirt and debris that build up on the compressor can lead to blockages, overheating and failure. In addition, electrical issues like blown fuses or shorted wires can cause the compressor to overheat and fail.

Another sign that your compressor might be on the verge of failing is if your circuit breaker trips repeatedly. This is because the compressor needs a lot of power to operate, and it can overheat if it doesn’t have enough. A faulty capacitor or starter relay is also a common problem that can cause your AC compressor to stop working.

The main reason why it is so difficult to repair a compressor is that the hermetic seal that keeps the compressor’s components encased in an airtight metal container makes it impossible for HVAC technicians to open it. Opening the compressor would let out dangerous refrigerant, so only an authorized technician should ever attempt to do it.

A leaking refrigerant is an air conditioner problem that must be fixed immediately, because it can quickly become depleted and damage the compressor. If the leak is caused by a bad refrigerant charge or by an inexperienced technician who filled the lines with too much or too little refrigerant, it can lead to further problems in other areas of your air conditioner and even compressor failure.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your air conditioning system, and without it nothing else works. The thermostat is powered by electricity (via a wire or a battery) and controls the system based on temperature sensors, and other information from the system. It is not uncommon for the thermostat to be the source of trouble when your AC isn’t working properly. Thermostats can also be faulty or out of calibration, which is something that experienced HVAC technicians are trained to assess during an AC repair service visit.

If you are noticing that your air conditioner isn’t producing cold air or it feels warmer than it should, there may be a problem with the cooling cycle, or maybe a refrigerant leak. In order to determine the cause, a professional will use specialized diagnostic tools such as infrared thermometers and psychrometers to check for temperature or humidity issues that may be contributing factors. Other diagnostic techniques include visual inspection, pressure testing and utilizing refrigerant leak detection methods like soap bubble tests or electronic sniffers.

Another indication that there is a problem with your system is an unusually high energy bill. The higher bills can be caused by overworking the system during hot weather or by a clogged air filter that is restricting air flow and leading to increased energy consumption.

Before you call for an AC repair, try resetting the furnace circuit breaker to see if that fixes the issue. If it doesn’t, check the outdoor unit for problems. The fan and compressor (which sounds like a deep buzzing noise, similar to a refrigerator) should be running in order for the air conditioner to produce cool air.

If you notice any of the above issues, it is best to contact a professional right away and schedule an AC repair service. It is also a good idea to consult with your technician about any other home comfort innovations that could be beneficial, like duct cleaning or variable speed technology, to help prevent the need for future AC repairs. Depending on the age of your unit and your comfort needs, you might be better off investing in a new air conditioning system.

Refrigerant

Often times AC repair involves recharging and sealing leaks in refrigerant. Most of the time these leaks occur in the evaporator coil which distributes refrigerant to your home. This part of the system is very sensitive to leaks as it has a lot of joints and welds which can be prone to corrosion and stress cracking over time. This is also where a lot of hissing noises or gurgling sounds tend to indicate that there is a Freon leak present.

It is important to note that a leak in an air conditioning system can be dangerous and hazardous to the health of those who live in the house. This is because the refrigerant, which is toxic, can leach into the surrounding soil if the leak goes unrepaired for long enough. For this reason, any AC repairs which involve recharging and sealant can only be done by certified HVAC professionals who have been trained to properly perform these tasks.

The first step in repairing a Freon leak is to have the technician do a preliminary inspection of all fittings and coils using specialized tools. These include electronic leak detection tools as well as soap and bubble mixtures. These tests are very important as they can reveal many issues with a system that may be missed during a standard inspection.

During this phase the technician will often find a small/slow leak in the evaporator coil or at one of the hose connections. The next step is to use a special type of refrigerant leak sealant. This is a green colored solution which will seal any leaks that were found during this phase. Once the leaks are sealed the technician will then recharge your system.

This can be a great option for homeowners who have a leak in their AC system as it is cheaper than an entire replacement. However, it is important to evaluate the cost of this solution versus the age and current performance of your AC unit. If a new unit will likely perform better and save energy it might be worth going all out for a replacement.

Ductwork

Ductwork is the network of tubes that carries cooled air from your HVAC system to the rooms in your home or business. It is one of the most important components of a heating and cooling system, and it can be made from either rigid or flexible materials. There are also different types of ducts, and an experienced HVAC technician can help you decide which type is best for your needs.

A well-functioning duct system is essential for good indoor air quality, and it also helps to keep your energy costs low. If your ducts are not properly sealed and insulated, the air conditioning system will have to work harder to cool your house or business, and you will end up paying more on your utility bills.

If you notice loud rattling or whistling while your air conditioner is running, that’s a sure sign that your ducts are not functioning correctly. These noises are caused by escaping conditioned air, which can be prevented by resealing your ducts.

Rigid metal ducts are the most common in homes, and they are usually constructed from aluminum or galvanized steel. They are categorized into supply and return air ducts. The supply ducts distribute cooled or heated air to various parts of the building, while the return ducts collect unconditioned air and return it back to the HVAC unit for filtration and redistribution.

Alternatively, you can choose to install flexible plastic ducts. These are less expensive than rigid metal ducts, and they can be shaped to fit into tight spaces. They are also resistant to mold and mildew, which means that they will not disperse harmful toxins into the air as quickly as rigid metal ducts.

In addition to repairing or replacing air ducts, an HVAC technician can also perform many other ductwork services. These can include resealing joints, sealing leaky or damaged seams and connections, and adding dampers to control the flow of air. They can also replace duct sections that are no longer functioning properly, and they can add or remove vents to change the direction of air flow in a room.