Any California resident knows that it is next to impossible to survive without air conditioning throughout the summer months. When an air conditioning system fails, it is a priority to correct the problem as quickly as possible. A lack of adequate cool air can turn your home into an uninhabitable oven. In many states summer draws to a close and thoughts turn to fall, but in California, we can have late heat waves right up to late in September. At this point, many of us have had our air conditioning systems running since early May or even late April. Any existing problems from earlier in the cooling season may be getting even worse, and our cooling could be compromised. It is a good idea to take some time to look at three problems that may happen with your air conditioning at this time of year and take care of them.
1. Cleaning Your Air Conditioning System
During the course of the year, it may be the case that accumulated dust and debris have gathered on your air conditioner. This material can affect the cooling coils and other vital components creating unwanted friction. This will affect the air conditioner’s ability to cool the air. If your coils become too dirty, you may even see frost accumulating on them, which will cause them to work harder and less efficiently. Another problem could be rampant plant growth in your yard that is interfering with your air conditioner. As the cooling season closes, it is a good idea to give your unit a thorough clean and trim back any obscuring plant life.
2. A Refrigerant Leak
As you examine your air conditioning system more carefully, you may notice a refrigerant leak. Any leak of refrigerant compromises the effectiveness and efficiency of your cooling system. A refrigerant leak is also an environmental hazard that can be quite dangerous for younger children or pets. The leak needs to be sealed, and the refrigerant levels in the system must be recharged. If the unit is used without carry out this repair, the system will cost more to run and a there will be more wear and tear on the system. As a result, you can expect an increase in your energy bill and a sizable repair bill somewhere down the line. This is a fairly simple issue to fix for a qualified professional, and it should be fixed as early as possible.
3. Worn Out Parts
In this late part of summer and early into fall your air conditioning system has been working hard for a long time. As a result, some of the components in your system have experienced a great deal of wear and tear. You may notice that you can hear unusual rattling or knocking noises, this is usually a sign that a part has become worn and/or is coming away from its housing. Failing parts always seem to fail at the worst time, and they can damage other parts in the process. Don’t get caught out in a late season heat wave with a cooling system failure that could be easily fixed now.