When your air conditioning system breaks down in the middle of a grueling heat wave, diagnosing the cause of the malfunction FAST is of utmost importance. AC systems thrive on a multitude of electrical wiring, circuits and other components that can easily be damaged. Outdated air conditioners are especially vulnerable to electrical problems.
The Loss of Power
Rodents, like rats or mice, gnawing away at the power chord that connects your air conditioner to the outlet can immediately disrupt the flow of electricity, and thus shut down the cooling operation.
An expert technician will first check the circuit breakers or fuse to determine whether or not they have been tripped. Then the wiring in the air conditioning unit will be examined for signs of pest damage or burn. To ensure that the outlet is providing sufficient power, it would be a good idea to plug in a similar appliance to see if it operates. Should you determine that the electrical wiring is damaged, it is important to call a licensed HVAC service company to fix it.
Compressor
Any changes in the line voltage that runs to the AC compressor may result in it functioning improperly and will thereby lower the cool air output of the unit. Low voltage will inevitably cause your compressor to shut down too early, while higher voltage can short out the compressor’s engine.
Refrigerants within the sealed units, cooling the air that flows through the system, will be compressed by the air conditioning compressors. Therefore, without the right voltage, the compressor cannot operate properly. Weeks or months of improper voltage will cause the compressor to break down inside, leading inevitably to eventual replacement.
Thermostat
A thermostat may have faulty wiring. This prevents the air conditioning unit from turning on without any problems. Thermostats that are mounted on the wall can be opened, and wires connected to the Y terminal can be removed. If the air conditioner does not start when this wire is connected to the R terminal within a few minutes, the appliance itself may be the issue. However, if the system starts up when the wire meets the R terminal, a frayed or loose wire is most likely the cause.
Blower Fans
The job of blower fan is to remove warm air out of the home and blow cool air into the home. These fans need electrical power and utilize a multitude of fragile electrical wires around the blower motor.
Should these wires become frayed or disconnected, the blower may spin slowly or stop spinning altogether. This reduces airflow around the whole system. By testing the wires flowing into the motor with a multi-meter, it is easy to quickly determine if they are the source of a problem. If the wires are receiving the proper voltage, but the blower has stopped, the capacitor may need to be replaced on the motor.
When steeped in the summer months, these problems can be especially inconvenient. It is important to be familiar with certain KEY components of your air conditioning system. However, to effectively repair or replace your AC system, it is imperative that you call upon the expertise of a professional.