Prevent These 12 Common HVAC Headaches This Summer  

During the hottest days of the summer, you count on your HVAC system to keep your home cool and safe from the worst of the heat. At the same time, your home’s AC unit may encounter problems as your cooling need increases as the thermometer does. Get the details on these 12 frequent HVAC headaches in the summer months to help you avoid or fix them as needed.

1. Improperly Configured Thermostat

Having the wrong thermostat settings can result in performance issues and a spike in energy costs. If you have these issues, check your thermostat. If someone else at home keeps cranking the settings back and forth, it’s more difficult to balance comfort and energy efficiency.  

2. Too Much Humidity

At a certain point, high indoor humidity makes the air feel damp and promotes mold spores. An air conditioner chills and dehumidifies the air together, but this isn’t always adequate in the South or other warm climates. Installing a dehumidifier will often help solve the problem unless your air conditioner has a small but growing issue causing humidity levels to rise.  

3. Clogged Condensate Drain

The condensate drain eliminates the excess moisture generated by your AC system’s cooling cycles. An obstruction in these drain lines can cause water damage or mold growth. It’s a good idea to consistently inspect and clean this drain if you need to prevent clogs.

4. Weak Airflow

Airflow may drop if you have a clogged air filter, damaged ductwork or a clogged condensing unit. Preventive maintenance such as changing the air filter, leaving all air registers open and clearing plants from around the outdoor unit will often boost airflow. Ongoing problems might mean there are severe issues such as ductwork damage or a faulty compressor, all of which demand professional servicing. 

5. Coolant Leak 

Refrigerant is the key ingredient in air conditioning. A leak lowers the system’s available supply and reduces cooling efficiency, forcing your unit to work much more vigorously even as the cooling effectiveness drops. Refrigerant problems are more common in old units but could show up in any system under higher usage. Some signs of a coolant leak include hot air blowing from your vents, whistling or gurgling sounds, and higher-than-expected cooling bills. Only HVAC professionals can address the problem because handling refrigerant requires EPA certification. 

6. Frozen Air Conditioner 

A frozen air conditioner often comes from bad airflow or a leak in the coolant supply, both of which may prevent the unit from properly transferring hot and cold air. A large amount of ice on the coil gets in the way of the cooling process and could even cause permanent damage. Consistent maintenance is crucial if you want to stop freezing and protect efficient cooling. 

7. Excessive Cooling Cycles 

Short cycling is when the air conditioning turns on and off more frequently than usual. This is usually a sign of an improperly sized air conditioner, clogged air filter or electrical damage. Sudden short cycling lowers efficiency and can shorten your unit’s life span, so instead trust a technician to determine the cause and recommend a solution. 

8. No Electricity to the Air Conditioner

If an AC won’t turn on, inspect for a tripped breaker or blown fuse before anything else. If this isn’t the case, there might be something wrong with the unit’s capacitors or contactors, which start the unit. Call a professional to set up a repair visit. 

9. Constantly Tripping Breakers

Speaking of circuit breakers, you shouldn’t have to constantly reset them. The HVAC system should be on a dedicated circuit that is appropriately sized to handle this sort of equipment. Frequent circuit breaker trips can be a safety hazard, since it’s an electrical malfunction that needs urgent attention.

10. Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser coils on the outdoor unit of the system are continuously exposed to the elements, so internal components may get dirty over time. Cobwebs, dirt and dust, grass clippings and other outdoor debris cover up the unit, hampering its ability to get rid of heat and worsening daily wear and tear. Rinse these coils occasionally with a gentler spray from your garden hose to help preserve system efficiency.

11. Unusual Noises

Unusual noises coming from your heating and cooling is a telltale sign something isn’t right. Screeching is associated with a belt that needs replacing, while clanking or banging sounds could point to loose components. Don’t try and ignore these kinds of noises, as they can lead to widespread problems, constant repairs or complete system failure if not resolved promptly.

12. Strange Smells

If you can’t stand the weird smells coming out of your AC unit, examine further to find out where it might be coming from. A burning smell often means electrical sparks or an overheating motor, while a stale smell usually points back to mold growth within the system. Odd smells often need quick attention to limit the risk of health problems and performance issues.

We Are Devoted to Your Comfort

At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, nothing comes before your comfort and peace of mind. Our ACE-certified technicians offer fast, but long-lasting solutions to whatever comfort problem you’re facing, backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely happy with the final product, we’ll do what it takes to make things right. So, whenever your air conditioning system starts short cycling or making funny noises, contact us for Expert service that always exceeds expectations.