Colorado is gorgeous year-round, especially in the summer. But as much as Colorado residents love to be outside when it’s sunny and warm, having to spend at least some time indoors is a given. And that means you need your air conditioning on the warmest days. Unfortunately, an air conditioner — especially one that’s not maintained — can develop a problem and fail, requiring the attention of an expert HVAC technician. Some of the most common A/C issues involve drainage, electrical components, the refrigerant and maintenance. Here’s a look at these issues, along with their causes and solutions:
- Drainage issues can occur when a blockage develops in the condensate drain. To avoid this issue, check the drain regularly. Also check the pan and make sure it’s free of mold. This is quick and easy to do yourself.
- Electrical failure can develop over time if an air conditioner isn’t properly maintained. Wires and contacts can become corroded. To avoid this issue, make sure your air conditioner is tuned up by your qualified HVAC tech at the start of every cooling season.
- Refrigerant leaks can easily develop in an air conditioner. A refrigerant leak can cause your air conditioner to work too hard and break down. Again, annual maintenance is a must. During your annual service call, your HVAC tech will measure the refrigerant and either add to it or remove some of it. This is a task that you should never attempt yourself, as refrigerant requires special handling.
- Poor maintenance can lead to a number of problems. A poorly maintained air conditioner will do a bad job of dehumidifying the air in your home. Just as important, your equipment could be forced to work too hard, which will spike your energy bills. Eventually, a poorly maintained air conditioner can fail altogether, forcing you into a premature replacement.Regular professional maintenance can prevent these problems.
At Climate Control Company, we’re dedicated to keeping your northwestern Colorado home comfortable and energy efficient. We’ve been serving residents of the Aspen/Vail area for more than 50 years. And we’d like to help you, too.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Aspen, Vail and the surrounding Western slope communities in Colorado about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about common a/c problems and other HVAC topics, please visit our website.
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