There are few more unpleasant surprises in the summertime than your Dothan home’s air conditioner failing. But when it does stop delivering that much wanted and needed refreshing air, you start to wonder if there were warning signs that you might have missed. Was it something that you did or didn’t do correctly? Or is it some outside force that has stopped your AC dead in its tracks? And if the unit is beyond repair, what will it cost to have it replaced? All of these thoughts flood your brain as you wonder what typically causes an AC unit to fail, and is there anything I can do to restore this much-needed cool air?
Here are the most common reasons for an AC failure and what you can do to make the experience less miserable.
- A Bad Circuit Breaker Or Blown Fuse- Some AC issues are as simple as a fluctuation in the power supply. So head to the electrical box and check for a blown fuse or tripped breaker. The breaker can easily be reset, while the fuse will need to be replaced.
- Leaking Refrigerant- Most AC systems use a closed-loop of refrigerant that cools the air. So if you have discovered a leak, it is time to call in a professional. The leak must be located and repaired before refilling the refrigerant. And your HVAC pro will need to carefully clean up the toxic coolant that has contaminated the surrounding area.
- The Unit Appears To Be Frozen- If the coil is frozen over, you can almost always count on a lack of airflow. Check the HVAC air filter for dirt and dust. If the filter is covered, replace it with a new one and give the AC time to thaw before turning it back on. If that does not do the trick, it is time for a pro to evaluate the coolant level and other possible causes of the ice over.
- Worn Out Parts- All mechanical devices can succumb to wear and tear. And if the simple fixes are not providing the desired result, you could be dealing with a failed component that has your AC down and out of commission. The good news is that your HVAC pro can locate and repair most of the parts on an AC system on the same day.
- Neglect- If you have not been as attentive as necessary, the issue could be related to dirt, dust, and the lack of professional maintenance and service. A call for an AC tune-up and professional inspection is the best choice to determine if the issues can be cost-effectively repaired or if a replacement is the better investment. Either way, be prepared for a bill that will prove you have not saved any money by eliminating the annual AC service the units typically require.
- A Bad Thermostat- If the unit does not turn on, the issue could be in the thermostat. Even though it is hot in your home, you will need to switch over to your furnace for a moment to test this theory. If the thermostat does not turn on the furnace either, you have discovered the culprit. Consider replacing your thermostat with a programmable model to save on future heating and cooling costs.
It can be very frustrating when your AC stops working. However, some simple fixes could get the cool air flowing again. And if none of them fix the issue, a call to (334) 500-3527 is your best choice. The pros at Prime HVAC will arrive quickly to evaluate the air conditioner and determine what is needed to get your home cool as soon as possible.