5 Common Issues with Older AC Systems
With so much else going on in your life, the last thing you want to worry about is your air conditioner breaking down. Unfortunately, when you have an older air conditioner, the chances that it will fail grow higher and higher with each passing year. Dealing with a broken air conditioner can be a costly and time-consuming issue, especially during the summer when you need it the most. To prevent a breakdown this year, read on about a few of the most common issues 
that arise with older units.
Electrical Difficulties
Air conditioners are made up of a complicated system of various electrical pieces. Wires wind through the unit, connecting the circuit boards to the compressor, coils, fans, and other parts. If you have an older AC, there is a higher chance that something could go wrong with the electrical system. A wire could fray or the capacitor could break. With so many different electrical pieces, it’s likely that something could go wrong.
Nonfunctional Fans
The fan in your air conditioner is responsible for making the hot air flow out of your home and the cold air flow in. Without a working fan, your AC won’t function. If the fan moves too slowly or does not move at all, the unit will be unable to cool down your home. Fan problems can be caused by anything from something simple like excess debris in the unit to something more complex like an electrical issue. Either way, you should hire a professional HVAC contractor to investigate the matter further.
Decreased Efficiency
As your AC gets older, it will become less efficient. If you’ve noticed your energy bills getting higher over the past few years or that you need to run the AC for longer than usual, this could be your problem. When an air conditioner gets less efficient, it uses more energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. With regular maintenance, you can likely solve this issue. However, in some cases, it may require you to get the whole unit replaced.
Leaky Refrigerant
Older air conditioners also tend to leak more than newer models. If your energy bills have increased, the coils are frozen, or your AC isn’t cooling your home as well as before, you may have a leak. This is typically caused by a crack in the coils that circulate refrigerant through the unit. If you believe that refrigerant is leaking from your unit, contact an AC specialist as soon as possible.
Regular Wear and Tear
Like every other appliance, your air conditioner will begin to show common signs of wear and tear as it gets older. The more you use your unit, the faster it will deteriorate. Eventually, your unit will break down and need to be replaced. However, you can extend its usable life by performing regular maintenance. Clean the outdoor unit, change the air filter, and hire an HVAC professional to perform an annual exam every spring. With regular tune-ups, you can catch small issues before they become larger ones and keep your AC in working condition for a long time to come.
Top Tips for Preparing Your Home for AC Installation
Having a new AC installed is a great way to keep your energy costs down, cool your home more efficiently and effectively, and start over with a new machine that won’t break down during the hot days when you need it most. Deciding that you need to replace your AC unit is the first big step and doing the research to find the perfect unit for your home, family size, and other needs is the second step. However, there are still things you need to do to prepare your home for the actual installation. Read on to learn about things you can do to get your home ready for AC installation and make the whole process and smooth and straightforward as possible.
Double-Check the Numbers
While running the numbers and doing your research obviously happened while you hunted for the right AC unit, take the time to double-check everything one last time before the AC unit actually makes it to your house. Check the cooling load, taking into account the size, location, direction, structure, insulation, and other details of your home. Make sure the unit has the right capacity to meet your home’s cooling needs efficiently. Ask any questions you still have and get your answers from your AC experts before your installation date.
Ready the Ducts
An excellent step you can take to prepare your home for AC installation is to have your ducts readied and cleaned. You don’t want any dirt, grime, or other buildup that’s been working its way into your system for what may be decades to muck up your brand-new AC unit. Having your ducts cleaned and properly sealed by a professional will help to ensure the cleanliness and integrity of your entire cooling system and will improve the overall quality of the air you breathe within your home. Schedule an inspection and cleaning before your installation date to ensure that everything is in good shape when your new AC unit arrives.
Declutter the Work Area
Of course, one of the best things you can do to make sure your home is ready to have your new AC installed is to declutter any areas where work will be done. There is nothing worse than having to move debris, outdoor furniture, garden hoses, toys, tools, or other items away from the worksite while people stand around and wait for you. Clear away leaves, sticks, or other buildup as well so the area is clean, clear, and ready for work. Also consider the path that the technicians will need to take to get to the installation site. From the curb or driveway to the actual AC unit, walk the path that will need to be taken, considering the fact that someone will be carrying your new AC unit. Remove tripping hazards, make sure doorways or gates can accommodate the box, and generally prepare the area to have work done.
For questions about AC installation or to schedule your install, call the experts at Cox Air today at 727-442-6158!
How Often Do You Need to Get Your AC Serviced?
We rely on our air conditioner much more than we think. Living in a cool home environment is the norm these days, and you may not think to do regular maintenance on it. But, air conditioners are sophisticated machines that require regular maintenance to provide optimum performance. When we neglect to give it the service it needs, an AC unit won’t work efficiently, and may even be prone to failing altogether. We explain why ACs need regular tuning and how often you should do it.
Preventing Breakdowns
It’s one of the worst feelings in the world. You’re deep in the middle of a heatwave when the air conditioner goes out. No matter how quickly you can get it resolved, you’re still looking at a lot of time sweating it out. The good news is this can be easily avoided by having a professional service your HVAC regularly. During maintenance, a technician can catch problems like refrigerant leaks, broken censors, rusted coils, and thermostat issues before a breakdown takes place. Additionally, you’ll notice your AC will work better with regular service, making for a cooler, more comfortable home environment.
A Longer Life for Your AC
An air conditioner isn’t merely a functional part of protecting your home; it’s an investment. As with any investment, you want to get the most out of it as you possibly can. Scheduling annual service is probably the most important thing you can do to make sure your AC will function properly for years to come. A regularly maintained AC unit should last between 10 and 15 years. That number drops precipitously to 5 to 10 years without regular maintenance.
Lower Energy Bills
As you undoubtedly know, your energy consumption can increase during the summer. However, you can dramatically reduce it by merely having your AC unit serviced on an annual basis. A technician can clean and replace parts such as coils, filters, and evaporators that can become dirty and clogged over time. Debris clogging your system results in higher energy amounts that can be avoided with regular service.
Furthermore, yearly visits by a technician can help keep you aware of the things you can do on your own to save money. Turning up the thermostat by a couple of degrees or keeping ceiling fans running in busy rooms can save you a bundle on your energy bills while getting more life out of your air conditioner.
When you schedule an appointment once per year with an HVAC technician, you will save money on costly repairs and wasted energy, while making your home a better place to live. It’s one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to improve your family’s quality of life. To schedule your next service, call Cox Heating & Air Conditioning at (727) 442-6158. We’re the leading HVAC contractor in Clearwater, FL, and we’ll make every effort to make sure you stay cool all year. So, beat the heat and give us a call today!
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