Air Conditioning Problems and Repair. If your air conditioner is struggling during the summer in Phoenix, it’s noticeable, to say the least. The best way to avoid an emergency is to keep a watchful eye on your HVAC system’s performance, then take action at the first sign of trouble. Here are seven of the most common air conditioning problems Phoenix residents should be watching for:
Air Conditioner Not Working
Sometimes an air conditioner will stop working completely. This is about the least subtle sign of trouble we can imagine, and it’s also one of the most serious. If you suddenly have a broken A/C in Phoenix in the middle of summer, you don’t have much time to get it figured out before your house is unbearable.
Start by checking the HVAC thermostat to make sure it has power and is in the right settings. If everything looks good there, check the circuit breaker to see if a fuse has blown. If your fuse box appears normal, too, we recommend calling your Phoenix air conditioning repair company for immediate help.
A/C Cooling Unevenly
You may notice that some rooms are getting nice and cool, but others are still too warm. Alternatively, some parts of your home might get frigid before other parts reach the desired temperature. If the warmer rooms are just getting more sunlight, you could try blocking the heat with curtains. Otherwise, you should call a professional about ductwork or separate zoning systems.
A/C Blowing Warm Air
There are four common reasons your air conditioner might be blowing out air without getting it cold first:
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- You need to change your filters.
- The thermostat is malfunctioning or in the wrong settings.
- Debris has blocked the air conditioning unit.
- There isn’t enough refrigerant left.
You can clear debris, reset the thermostat, and change filters with relative ease. If it’s a refrigerant leak or something else, you might need to call for backup.
A/C Making Strange Noises
A high-pitched screech could mean your unit needs an oil, which you may be able to apply yourself if you have good mechanical skills. If the noise sounds like slapping, you might be able to turn off your unit and clear debris out to fix it. Noises that rattle, bang, or thump are signs that you should turn your system off and call a pro.
A/C Won’t Turn Off
If your system doesn’t turn off, you can almost definitely narrow the problem down to your thermostat. The first step is to check it and make sure it’s still set correctly. Sometimes things happen that cause your thermostat to end up at a different temperature than where you left it– this issue is most common in homes with children or teenagers. If the settings are correct, but your air conditioner still won’t turn off, it’s time to make a call about your thermostat.
Clogged Drain
If you notice water backing up, see if you can unclog the drain immediately. Water damage is a serious threat, so call for help soon if you can’t make quick progress.
A/C Not Moving Air
A lack of airflow normally means either fan issues, leaking ducts, or frozen evaporator coils. All of those issues warrant professional attention, and trying to fix them yourself might even void your warranty.
How to Prevent Air Conditioning Problems
You can’t avoid air conditioning problems forever, but there are definitely steps you can take to preserve the life of your system. The following tips will help you prevent issues, or at least catch them before they get out of control:
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- Keep any outdoor parts of your unit free from debris. Things like lawn clippings, twigs, or just about anything else could disrupt the flow of air and lead to issues. As a rule, we recommend that you keep about two feet of space around all sides of your outdoor unit.
- Get annual maintenance. When you have a Phoenix air conditioning professional out to your home once a year, they help keep your system in good health. Think of it like going to your doctor for regular checkups– this will help identify potential issues and take preventative action.
- Replace your filters regularly. The necessary schedule depends on your specific situation, but even vacation homes should have their filters changed about twice a year. For average homes without pets, it could be every 90 days or so. If you have pets or allergies, we recommend changing your filters as often as once per month.
Facing Air Conditioning Problems in Phoenix, AZ?
We can help! Our team at Superstition Cooling has been family-owned and operated for over 15 years. We always take great pride in our work and treat every client’s home as if it were our own. If you have one of the air conditioning problems mentioned above, or anything else, we’ll figure it out to make your home comfortable again as soon as we possibly can.
You can trust our team of experts to give you their honest professional opinion about all of your options at every step along the way. The best Phoenix air conditioning company is only a phone call away, and you can reach us at any time of day or night. Contact us online, or call us at 480-712-1597 for emergency services.