Living in a hot climate can be difficult—especially during the summer months. In previous years, you've been able to escape the heat by using your air conditioner all summer long. However, your air conditioner has sustained wear during these periods of excessive use. If these worn components aren't repaired, then they'll only sustain further damage. If your air conditioner is showing any of these signs, then it's time to contact a professional appliance repair technician:
Freezing Evaporator Coil
Your air conditioner's evaporator coil is the part of your system that cools the air blowing through your air ducts. In order to do its job, your evaporator coil must receive a large volume of air. If the airflow throughout your air conditioning system is restricted, then your evaporator coil will freeze. When your evaporator coil freezes, it's refrigerant lines are susceptible to cracking.
Additionally, when you deactivate your air conditioning system, the buildup of ice on your coil will melt and leak water into your air ducts—which turns your air ducts into an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth.
Unfortunately, it's difficult to determine whether or not your evaporator coil is freezing until it's too late. However, you can pay attention to the airflow throughout your air conditioning system to determine whether or not your evaporator coil is susceptible to becoming frozen. If you notice that your system isn't circulating air as well as it usually does, then shut off your air conditioner and have it inspected by a professional.
Hot Air
There are a few issues that can cause hot air to blow through your air conditioning system:
Broken Condenser
Your condenser is designed to change the refrigerant in your air conditioning system from a liquid to a gas. To do this, your condenser vents the heat from the refrigerant through several fins that act as heat sinks. However, if these heat sinks are damaged or dirty, then they won't allow for efficient cooling of your system's refrigerant.
Broken Compressor
Your compressor is designed to do exactly the opposite of your condenser. Rather than cool the refrigerant, your compressor pressurizes and heats the refrigerant in your system. Although this seems counterintuitive, refrigerant must be heated in order to provide cooling. If the refrigerant in your system isn't pressurized and heated as it passes through your compressor, then it can't be changed into an icy cold gas while it passes through your condenser.
Low Refrigerant
Without a sufficient supply of refrigerant, the refrigerant cooling process simply can't occur in your system. If you continue to use your system while it's low on refrigerant, then you will damage your condenser and compressor.
Unfortunately, repairing or replacing a broken condenser or compressor can be expensive. If your appliance repair technician determines that one of these components needs to be replaced, then you should consider replacing your unit instead of repairing it. However, recharging the refrigerant in your system is a fairly inexpensive repair that will significantly improve your system's performance.
Smoking or Humming Fan Motor
If you smell smoke or hear a constant humming while your air conditioning system is active, then it's likely that your fan motor is overheating. Your fan motor will overheat when it's covered in debris or when there's a problem with your unit's electrical wiring. In either case, you cannot use your air conditioning system without causing further damage to your motor.
If your air conditioning system is showing any of these signs, then contact a professional appliance repair technician right away. By doing so, you can have your air conditioner inspected and repaired so that it's ready to be used throughout the summer heat waves. Click here for info about finding a professional near you.
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