At this point in the summer, your air conditioner has been working exceptionally hard to keep you and your home cool. A hot and humid summer has been bearing down on Minnesotans. With your air conditioning unit working overtime to battle the elements, issues and maintenance concerns are more likely to pop up, so you can be dealing with repairs down the road.
Of course, with a little extra due diligence, you can avoid these problems, keeping your home and family cool by keeping your air conditioner in tip-top shape. Here are some telltale signs that your air conditioner is in need of repair and what steps you can take to address the problem.
1. Low Refrigerant
Low refrigerant not only impacts your comfort and the overall cool factor in your home, but it can also damage your air conditioner in the long run. Air conditioners are closed loop systems and don’t consume refrigerant. As a result, a low amount of refrigerant most likely points to a leak.
Here’s how you can tell you might be low on refrigerant: Your home takes an extended amount of time to cool. You have higher-than-usual electric bills. Your supply vents are blowing warm air. If you determine that your air conditioner is simply low on refrigerant, simply add more! However, if you believe you are experiencing a leak, call an HVAC technician who is qualified to handle the situation.
2. Dirty Filter
Your filter is out of sight and out of mind. Subsequently, it’s all too easy to forget to replace. We urge you to stay on top of keeping your air conditioner’s filter clean and replace it at least every other month. If you fail to do so, a dirty filter will affect your overall air flow, reducing efficiency and causing your home to take longer to cool.
3. Clogged Condensation Line
The condensation drain can become easily clogged, reducing the overall speed of draining. The interior portion of an air conditioner sits atop a drip pan designed to collect water if the unit’s condensation drain line becomes clogged.
If you see water in the pan, check to see that insects haven’t built a nest inside the drain line. If this is the case, you can blow compressed air inside the pipe to clear the congestion. Keep in mind that clearing the clogged drain line may require the assistance of an air conditioning repair technician.
By watching for early signs of trouble for your air conditioning unit, you save energy and money in the short-term while helping ensure you don’t see costly repair bills down the line. Be sure to keep our tips and tricks in mind when facing the rest of our hot, humid summer!
Here at Blue Ox Heating & Air, we understand how to keep your air conditioning and central air systems running in tip-top shape. Additionally, we are up-to-date on the latest systems and technology to provide our customers with “comfort to every degree.” Call today to schedule an appointment or speak with one of our technicians!
