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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.