Homeowners can save money by addressing AC Repair Woodland Hills issues before they turn into expensive emergencies. These include a faulty thermostat, a failing blower motor, or a deteriorating compressor.
Start by checking your circuit breaker to ensure it is in the on position. If it is, then your next step is to check if the evaporator coils are frozen.
If you find that your thermostat is constantly running and not turning off even when the set temperature has been reached, it’s time to call in a professional. This may indicate a problem with the thermostat itself, such as faulty wiring or a loss of calibration. You should also consider where your thermostat is located in your home and whether it is exposed to direct sunlight, other heat sources, or cold drafts, as these factors can affect how accurately it reads the desired room temperature.
One of the easiest things to check is whether or not the thermostat screen has gone blank. A simple power outage or a bad battery can cause this. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to replace the batteries or reset the thermostat.
You should also take note if your HVAC system won’t turn on or respond to any changes made at the thermostat. A faulty relay, wiring defect, or control board could prevent signals from getting sent to the furnace and AC unit.
A faulty thermostat can also lead to a number of other issues. If the thermostat is displaying an incorrect temperature, this means that the sensors inside the thermostat are not properly reading the room’s actual temperature. If this is the case, you should consider relocating your thermostat or replacing it with an energy-efficient model.
Thermostats don’t last forever, and they are subject to a lot of wear and tear over the years. A good rule of thumb is to expect a replacement every 10 years.
Failing blower motor
A failing blower motor can cause several issues for your HVAC system. Typical symptoms include weak or no air flow, high electricity bills, strange sounds, and overheating. A common reason your blower motor fails is due to dirt and dust clogging it. The bearings that surround the motor shaft can also become damaged. When these parts wear out, it causes friction that can prevent the motor from turning. Alternatively, the motor may be too old to function properly.
A resistor is an electrical component that can block or resist the flow of electricity into a circuit. This is how you are able to change your fan speed setting—clicking the switch changes the path electricity takes through the resistor, altering the blower motor’s ability to spin and circulate air throughout the cabin. If the resistor shorts out, it will prevent the blower motor from spinning. The resulting lack of airflow is one of the most common signs you need to replace your car’s blower motor.
Another common problem with blower motors is that they overheat due to dirt and dust buildup. This can be exacerbated by a bad capacitor. The capacitor is responsible for giving the motor a burst of electricity when it first turns over to help it start spinning. If the capacitor goes bad, it will not provide this initial jolt of electricity, causing the motor to overheat.
Finally, your blower motor can fail simply because it is old and worn out. This is especially true if the motor has been exposed to moisture or chemicals. Eventually, the metal components will rust and make the motor unusable.
Regardless of the reason for your blower motor malfunction, it is important to contact a professional to diagnose and repair the issue. The sooner you do so, the better. In the meantime, be sure to check your blower motor often for signs of overheating or a lack of airflow. This can help ensure that your vehicle’s HVAC system continues to function well for years to come. You don’t want to find yourself stuck in a hot and uncomfortable car during a road trip near New Palestine, IN!
Deteriorating Condenser
As one of the A/C components closest to the environment, the condenser experiences more wear and tear than most other parts. This is especially true in climates that see a lot of rain and salt spray on the roads, which can clog the condenser with impurities. This clogs the thin channels of the condenser, restricting refrigerant flow and causing overpressure that can damage the compressor.
A corroded condenser can also make other parts of the system work harder, leading to increased failure rates. This is why it’s important to pay attention to signs of corrosion and replace the unit before it’s too late.
The air conditioner’s condensate drain tube is another component that must be kept in good working order. If this tube becomes clogged with dirt, algae, or debris, it can damage the equipment and leak water into your home. This is why it’s important to check this drain tube regularly for blockages and clogs. It is often directed to a floor drain or washing machine drain, so a quick inspection can reveal the problem.
Leaking AC units can be costly to repair. Homeowners need to find the source of the leak, repair the area, and dehumidify the room. Ultimately, it may be more cost-effective to replace the condenser than to keep repairing an older unit that is no longer working efficiently.
Like most other pieces of machinery, the condenser can experience leakage issues. While a small leak is not necessarily a big deal, frequent blocking can indicate that the unit needs replacing. This is because it’s not possible to replace seals or the condenser tubes, so a leaky condenser is usually beyond repair.
A faulty control board is another potential issue that can cause the air conditioning condenser to fail. This is because the control board allows the various parts of the unit to communicate with each other. If this goes bad, it can cause problems like the fan motor not switching on and off when needed. Like the run capacitor, this problem is rarely a sudden issue and happens over time as a result of poor maintenance and stress on the unit.
Failing Compressor
The compressor is the key component that makes your air conditioner functional. It takes the refrigerant chemical, squeezes it into a hot gas, and pushes it through the condensing coils. This process removes the heat from your indoor space and blows it out of the house through ductwork. Like any other component, it has an expected lifespan of between 12 and 15 years, but it can fail due to a variety of reasons.
A faulty compressor can affect every other part of the system. For instance, it can cause your unit to work overtime because it has to compensate for the failing part. This can lead to overheating, a dangerous and expensive problem for your cooling system. A faulty compressor can also lead to low refrigerant levels.
If you are concerned about the state of your compressor, a professional can help you decide whether it is time to replace it. Replacing an electric compressor can be a complex and complicated task that requires specialized equipment. This job should only be done by a trained AC technician. It is not something that you can do on your own, even though there are some online tutorials to guide you through it.
Another sign that your compressor is not working properly is its failure to engage when you turn the AC on. This means that the compressor is not drawing enough power from the engine to function properly. In such a case, you should have it replaced immediately.
The compressor can also fail to function because of a damaged suction line. The suction line can build up pressure that strains the compressor. In addition, it can fail to supply the necessary lubricant to ensure proper functioning.
The suction line can also get clogged by dirt and debris that hamper refrigerant flow. The dirt and debris can lead to the compressor overheating. In such a situation, it is important to have the suction line cleaned and repaired by an expert. It is also advisable to have the suction line inspected regularly to ensure that it does not become damaged or blocked.