3 Common Issues with Air Conditioners That Consumers can Fix

The Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On In cases where the air conditioning system is not turning on, it’s advised that consumers verify the outside unit in order to determine if the condenser is running properly. Ensure that the unit is properly plugged in and that the thermostat is set accordingly. Then, the consumer should lower the thermostat a small amount to see if the problem is fixed. Consumers can save the funds that would go into contracting an air conditioning serviceperson by reading their product’s manual and seeing if everything checks out. If an initial check-up doesn’t solve the problem, it’s advised that consumers verify if there is a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse running in the system.

In extreme cases where the coil is frozen, contracting an ac repair cleveland person inmight be the necessary solution. The Air Conditioner is not Effectively Cooling the Air After the initial problem of an air conditioner not turning on is solved, consumers may find themselves in a situation where the system is not properly cooling the area. In these cases, it’s possible that the system is experiencing a blocked or dirty air condenser. If that’s the case, the first step consumers should follow is to inspect the outside unit and clear out any debris or weeds that might be blocking the system’s air circulation.

Then, it’s advised that consumers check the air conditioning system’s filters to ensure that it is adequately clean. In cases where the filter is excessively dirty and the air is not being properly circulated, it’s possible that the coil can freeze. If the household contains pets and the air conditioning system is used often, the filter may need to be replaced at a relatively high frequency. The best way to verify if a filter is adequately clean is to hold it up to a light and check if the filter can be seen through.

The Air Conditioner is not Cooling the Home Properly When all other aspects of the air conditioner check out, however the unit is still not cooling the home properly, this may be due to the fact that the system is not optimally sized for the home. It’s important for consumers to keep in mind that an air conditioning system should be equipped to keep an entire home cool on an average summer day. Ideally, air conditioning systems should be capable of maintaining up to a 25 degree temperature difference between indoor and outdoor temperature. If a system is running well but is not performing to a home’s standard, this might demand simply changing the air conditioning system and opting for one better suited to the home in question.

Signs It's Time for AC Repair in Cleveland

What is that noise? Perhaps it sounds like a deep chugging, like the sound a car makes when it’s having bad mechanical issues. Maybe it’s more like a screeching or whining, not unlike that of an unhappy cat. So just what is that noise?

It’s the air conditioning unit in the backyard. It’s been making that noise for a while. However, as a homeowner, who can remember how old that thing is anyway? Surely it’s fine, right? It’s just been a hot summer and the AC has to work extra hard to cool the house. It’ll all be okay once autumn arrives, right?

Actually, wrong. By the time autumn arrives, the AC may be totally broken. No HVAC unit is meant to last forever, and especially without maintenance, the air conditioner’s days may be numbered. That’s the last thing a homeowner wants to hear in the dead of summer, but that’s one of the first signs they need to call a ac repair cleveland. Here are some others.

The homeowner remembers cranking on the AC about an hour ago, but the house is still awfully warm. What gives? If the unit is being especially noisy as it turns on and off, it’s no surprise it’s taking longer to adequately cool the house. Whether because of age or lack of maintenance, something needs to change or the AC is probably going to break before the kids are back in school.

Maybe a homeowner is dealing with a different issue. Maybe their AC only kicks on sometimes. The rest of the time, it just makes noise but doesn’t do anything. If a local repair company has been out to the house more than once in the past couple of years, either it’s a faulty unit or it needs some serious repair. It may also be time to think about upgrading.

Speaking of upgrading, this question bears repeating: just how old is the air conditioner, anyway? These units are not designed to last forever. If the AC has been there as long as the homeowner has lived at the house, and that’s been nearly 10 years, it’s definitely time for a replacement. Even if it hasn’t been that long, if the air conditioner is noisy or not working at its best, a replacement is often the wisest investment.

While a replacement can be pricy, these do save the homeowner money in the long run. Newer units are more energy-efficient, which lowers energy bills each month.

3 Signs It's Time for AC Repair

Winter will be here soon, and it's unlikely that most people living in the Cleveland area will be turning their AC on again before next year. Still, now is a good time to have any necessary ac repair cleveland area. Not only does AC service tend to be cheaper now than it will be in the spring, but it's also a lot easier to find an HVAC specialist this time of year. For homeowners who are unsure whether or not they're in need of AC repair, there are some potential signs that it may be time.

Increased Cooling Costs

Homeowners should have a good general idea of how much they spend on their heating and cooling throughout the year. If this summer's cooling costs seemed higher than usual, this could be a sign that the AC isn't running as efficiently as it should be. This may be caused by a bad part or other minor problem. By having any necessary repairs done, the unit may run more efficiently and save homeowners money.

Lack of Cool Air

If the AC seems to be running fine but the air blowing out isn't as cool as it once was, then it may be time to call an HVAC professional. Specifically, this could be a problem with the AC's refrigerant. Levels could be too low (which is an easy enough fix), or there could be a more serious issue with the unit's compressor. Either way, this is something that should be addressed sooner rather than later, as the problem will only worsen otherwise.

Strange Noises

For homes with central air, the unit itself is probably located outside near the back or side of the house. As a result, it may not become obvious when there is a problem because strange noises may not be heard from inside. This is why it's a good idea for homeowners to spend some time outside and become familiar with how the AC unit should sound. Any strange noises need to be checked out right away by an HVAC professional.

AC maintenance and repair may not be the most important thing on Cleveland-area homeowners' minds right now, but having any necessary repairs done now will save a lot of hassle and stress come spring. Homeowners should call an HVAC company if any of the above signs have been present.

Preparing the AC for Winter for an Easier Spring

As the winter months approach, it's time to get ready for the cold weather ahead. This means preparing the air conditioning system in one's home for several months of hibernation. When the unit is properly maintained, this will avoid the need for AC repair Cleveland, Ohio when the weather gets warm again in the spring. 

Preparing for Winter

While an HVAC professional will be able to provide routine maintenance to an outdoor air conditioning unit, homeowners can do a number of things to get ready for the upcoming cold. It's important to remove any yard debris away from the unit, and find a cover that fits the outdoor unit snugly. During harsh weather conditions, it is possible that a poorly fitting cover will come right off. Consider using rope to tie down the cover if it doesn't fit perfectly.

Call for Servicing

To get an air conditioner ready for winter, it's important to call and have the unit serviced. The technician will clean the unit, remove debris from inside, clean any necessary filters and make sure that the unit is turned off for the season. While it is possible for some homeowners to a bit of this work on their own, it is cost-effective to leave the work to a maintenance professional.

During the Winter Months

Make sure that the cover remains on the outdoor unit throughout the winter. Check the cover at least once a week, and remove any ice or snow that has built up on the cover. Check that the cover is still secure after each bad storm. If ice and snow are allowed to get into the machine, this can wreak havoc once the ice and snow begin to melt. This can lead to rust damage inside the air conditioning unit.

As temperatures begin to warm up again in the spring, it's time to clean around the unit once again. The debris built up over the winter will need to be removed, as this can make it hard for the air conditioning unit to work properly. The unit should be serviced by a professional, and filters changed, even though they were changed in the fall. To prevent emergency calls for air conditioning repair, it's important to have the machine serviced before the cooling season begins.

Don't Wait for it to be an Emergency - Call for Repairs the Moment the A/C Acts Up!

The key to avoiding large air conditioning service bills is to make sure to keep up on preventive maintenance and call for AC repair Cleveland as soon as a potential problem is detected. This will catch most problems before they result in total system failure, and thereby prevent the need for emergency service. It'll also allow issues to be fixed before expensive major parts have been destroyed.

Maintenance

Like cars, air conditioners need the occasional tune-up. Different companies have different recommended schedules, but all agree that tune-ups should happen on a regular basis. During this procedure, anything that needs it will be adjusted to optimal settings, tightened down, or otherwise brought back into spec. Another important part of this service is checking for emerging problems. Often, a problem can be spotted long before it shows symptoms.

Troubleshooting Odd A/C Behavior

This area typically deserves more attention than it gets. It's easy to put off calling for service if the air conditioner "acts a little weird" but still pumps out the cold air. Unfortunately, this gives budding problems a chance to become full-grown. Once the critical tipping point passes, the system fails and leaves the residents sweltering with no way to get serious relief. Therefore, repair people should be called whenever an air conditioner shows odd behavior, such as:

• New noises
• Air that doesn't come out as chilly as before
• Lowered forced air pressure
• Activation when it shouldn't happen
• Non-activation when it should happen
• Strange odors

Often, the problem will turn out to be something simple, such as a pinhole leak that is allowing coolant to slowly escape. The hardest part about fixing that issue when it first happens is finding the leak. However, if the fix is delayed too long, eventually all of the coolant will leak away and there'll be nothing left to provide cold air. The same principle is true of other emerging problems: They may not be serious yet, but will become so over time. Machines cannot heal on their own, so the process is inevitable unless a fix is purposefully applied.

Calling for repairs early also helps ensure that the work can be done at a convenient time. This saves customers even more money since they won't have to miss time at work in order to let the technician into the house. All in all, calling right away is a win on all accounts.

How to Beat Summer Heat on a Budget

Smart homeowners will be prepared for the climate changes that come with each season. By keeping their HVAC system in top condition, homeowners need not worry that it will falter in the middle of a snowstorm or during the heat of summer. Homeowners who keep up with their ac repair cleveland will have little trouble transitioning from winter to summer. Here are a few tips that can help homeowners beat summer heat without crashing their budget.

Keep Thermostat Slightly Up

As homeowners start using their AC for summer, they should set their thermostat at different temperatures to see where they feel the most comfortable. Gradual changes in temperature can make a difference in energy costs over the long haul. By keeping the thermostat a bit higher than normal, the AC won’t run as much, saving homeowners money. On cool nights, homeowners can turn the AC off altogether and open the home to cool breezes to lower energy costs.

Handling Humidity

Humidity can make temperatures feel even hotter than they really are. A good AC system can help dehumidify a home’s interior while maintaining a comfy, cool environment for the family. By keeping the system running during periods of high humidity, homeowners can enjoy a more comfortable home setting.

Servicing

AC systems need regular maintenance and repair to keep them working at top capacity. The end of spring is a good time to have any AC repair work done in preparation for hot weather during summer. AC maintenance may include testing and cleaning the system, cleaning air ducts and repairing or replacing worn parts. Preventative maintenance can go a long ways towards extending the lifespan of a unit and keeping it working properly all summer long.

Tag-Team Fans with AC

Homeowners can enjoy a cooler home environment by combining the use of ceiling fans with their AC unit. Ceiling fans will keep cool air circulating in different parts of the home. With the use of fans, homeowners may even be able to raise their thermostat one or two degrees higher, reducing AC usage and its energy consumption. By experimenting with tag-teaming (AC + fans), homeowners can see what works to keep their home at a comfortable level.

These are just a few tips that can help homeowners maintain their homes comfortable and cool during summer without overworking their AC unit or overextending their budget.

Tips to Get More Value From an AC System

People with an older AC system may have been advised to replace it with a new and energy-efficient model. There's no doubt that new Energy Star air conditioners work more efficiently. During the hottest summer months, the idea of lower power bills might be attractive. At the same time, the best air conditioners are expensive to buy and install. It might help to gather some ideas to keep that older AC system functioning at its peak.

How to Make an Older AC System Work Better

Routine Maintenance Local companies that perform AC repair Cleveland usually offer routine maintenance services for a fairly modest charge. People who haven't had their own AC system serviced for over a year can probably benefit from this kind of checkup and routine maintenance. It's better to schedule this during off-peak times of the year when companies aren't that busy.

During the early spring, many of these companies run specials on this kind of service to keep their techs busy with work. For a fairly modest fee, it's worth it to make sure that the AC is in good repair, clean, and not likely to break down in July or August. If the system does need a repair, this also gives the homeowner a chance to plan for the bill before it gets really hot.

Change Air Filters Regularly Dirty air filters make an AC work harder than it needs to. That means that clean filters are critical for an older system. Changing filters frequently may also help improve air quality inside of the home.

It might seem like changing expensive air filters frequently will cost more than it saves. Many AC techs advise their customers to buy cheaper air filters and change them more frequently. Cheaper AC filters can be purchased for a dollar or two and even bought in bulk for more savings. It's not a bad idea to stock up and change the filter every month during peak usage times. This could be true even if the filters say they only need to get changed every three months. It's especially important for homes that have pets, kids, elderly people, or smokers.

When is it Time to Replace the AC? If the costs of repairs start mounting, it might be time to replace the system. It is an investment, but a more comfortable house and lower power bills can help offset it.