If you’re like millions of other homeowners, you have an air conditioning system inside your home to keep your family cool and comfortable during the hot summer. When your system’s working great, you likely don’t give it much thought. However, you should be aware of some common problems that many homeowners experience with their cooling systems. With a bit of knowledge, you can quickly spot and rectify them.

Dirty Air Filters

Probably the most common issue homeowners deal with regarding their cooling system is a clogged air filter. If your air filter is too dirty, it will reduce your system’s ability to adequately cool your home, and you’ll notice that it stays warmer inside than you expect. Air filters must be changed every couple of months to keep the system running well.

Low Refrigerant

For your cooling system to work adequately, it needs to have the proper amount of refrigerant, which is responsible for transferring heat to the exterior of your home. When your refrigerant levels get low due to leaks, your cooling system will have trouble keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. You’ll have to call an HVAC professional who is trained to deal with refrigerants.

Dirty Ducts

Just as a dirty air filter can restrict the ability of your cooling system to produce enough cold air for your home, dirty ducts can do the same thing. Over time, leaks in your ductwork can allow dust and other airborne particles to accumulate inside your ducting. This will restrict the amount of space that the air can flow through and cause your system to underperform.

Dirty Coils

Another common problem that cooling systems experience is dirty evaporator coils. The dirtier the coils get, the lower your refrigerant’s ability to remove heat from the air inside your home. Eventually, you will notice a significant reduction in the ability of your cooling system to work properly.

Bad Thermostat Placement

If this is your first summer season in a new home or you’ve recently changed where your thermostat was positioned, it can affect your cooling system’s ability to adequately keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the summer months.

When your thermostat is in a spot where it receives direct sunlight or is near an outside door, it can trigger your thermostat to read an interior temperature warmer than what you are experiencing. This will cause your system to over-cool your home. Besides making you uncomfortable, it results in higher utility bills.

Conversely, placing your thermostat in a cold place, such as next to one of the vents of your cooling system, can cause it to read the temperature as being colder than it is in your home. This leads to a warmer-than-desired home. In winter, this will lead to higher energy bills.

Clogged Drain or Drain Line

As your cooling system works to pull heat out of the air inside your home, it will also pull out excess moisture. This moisture will typically drip down the evaporator coils and into the drain pan. Unfortunately, if your drain or drain line is clogged, it can cause a water backup at your indoor unit.

Electrical Failures

If you take a look inside your air conditioning system, you’ll notice that there are a lot of electrical connections and contacts. Over time, these can wiggle their way loose or become corroded. When this happens, it can cause an electrical failure of your system that needs to be repaired by an HVAC professional. Regular maintenance from qualified technicians can prevent this.

Constantly Running System

A properly functioning air conditioning system will kick on one to three times per hour. If you notice that your air conditioning system cycles more rapidly or runs constantly, it indicates a problem. This problem could be with the thermostat, air filters, electrical components, or compressor.

Odd Odors

When you first kick on your air conditioning system after it’s been sitting all winter long, it’s not uncommon for it to have a musty smell. However, this should go away after a short time. If you notice that this smell continues for hours or you start to smell other odors coming from your air conditioning system, then it’s time to call in a licensed professional. Smells can result from many issues, like electrical issues, clogged filters, mildew, etc.

Professional Cooling Services

Bruce Inc. Mechanical Heating & Air offers professional cooling services for Kennewick, WA and the surrounding region. Our experienced technicians can also assist with your heating, indoor air quality, ducting, hydronic heating, fireplace, and new construction. We also have solutions to improve indoor air quality. Simply contact us today to schedule your next service appointment.