Hello, my name is Darby Aldrich. I would like to talk to you about the importance of maintaining your air conditioning system. When I moved to a hot climate, I did not realize how vital having a running air conditioner was for living comfortably. When the unit just stopped working one day, the temperature inside the house rivaled the piping hot weather outdoors. We had to go to the community center to keep the kids from feeling sick. While we were gone, we had a local HVAC contractor fix the unit. She let us know that some simple maintenance tasks would prevent that situation in the future. I will use this site to closely explore those tasks in great detail. I hope you can use the information to keep your air conditioner running like new. Thanks.
When you turn your air conditioner on, does it run for a few seconds before promptly turning off again? This is a frustrating problem to have. On the one hand, your air conditioner still works. On the other hand, it does not continue to blow cool air long enough to actually cool your home. There are several possible issues that could be causing this problem, and the good news is that they can all be addressed quite easily, either by you or an HVAC technician.
Possibility #1: Your filter is clogged.
Your air conditioner may be turning on, feeling too much resistance in the system, and then turning back off again to avoid burning out its electrical components. This often happens if your AC filter is clogged. So, before you even call an HVAC company, try changing out your old AC filter. Turn the AC on again, and see if it now keeps running long enough to cool your home.
Possibility #2: You have a refrigerant leak.
Refrigerant is the liquid that circulates around inside your AC coil. The refrigerant expands, and as it does, it gives off a sense of coolness. This coolness is then passed on to the air. If there is a leak in your coil, the refrigerant will leak out. Your AC may sense that the refrigerant levels are low when it turns on, and it will then turn off in response. This is to prevent any remaining refrigerant from hyper-expanding and over-cooling the AC unit.
An HVAC contractor can locate a refrigerant leak and repair it. They'll then top off your refrigerant levels so your air conditioner can cool the home effectively once again.
Possibility #3: Your pressure switch is faulty.
The pressure switch is a tiny part that senses the pressure of the refrigerant inside your AC coil. When it senses that the pressure is above a certain level, it triggers your AC to turn off. Sometimes, however, pressure switches fail and cause the AC to turn off long before it should. Luckily, pressure switches are small parts, and an AC contractor can easily replace yours if needed.
If your AC is turning on but then off again, don't worry too much. Try changing the air filter to see if that fixes things, and if it does not, call an HVAC contractor. Chances are, you have a refrigerant leak or a faulty pressure switch, both of which can be fixed.
For more info about AC repair, contact a local company.
Share20 July 2023
