Some may forget that their central air conditioning system is connected to their home s heating system, sharing blower and ductwork and, especially in the early summer, fail to move the switch from heat to cool. According to central air conditioning repairmen, this is the most common issue found when called out for service in the beginning of the cooling season.
There are other common problems that can usually be remedied by the homeowner without the need for expert repairs, and a little knowledge of how central air conditioning works can help trace the problem. If the unit will not operate at all, for instance, check the fuse or circuit breaker. If it is tripped, turn it back on and see if the unit will now work. If the compressor shuts off on a hot day and will not come back on, check the limit switch, usually on the compressor s access panel. At times, the central air conditioning compressor may build up too much pressure and turns the unit off until the pressure is reduced.
A dirty filter will contribute to a central air conditioning unit nor performing efficiently. Since it shares the filtering system with your home s heating system, dust, dirt and hair will be passing through the filter all year. Check it monthly to make sure it is not slowing down airflow. Additionally, if the central air conditioning unit is operated in less than 60-degrees, ice may form on the coils and prevent them from cooling the air. If this happens, the only solution is turn off the unit until the ice melts away.
Leave Serious Work To The Professionals
Since a central air conditioning unit usually is not cheap, it is often best to leave the more serious problems to the professionals trained to handle them. However, at the beginning of each season you should venture to the outside unit and perform some preventive maintenance to keep your unit running efficiently.
Inside central air conditioning refrigerant is transferred between two coils, removing heat from the room, sending it outside while refrigerant cools the coils and then the blower sends the cold air back into the room. Since the returning air has little humidity, the moisture in the air is picked up and transferred to the unit where it condenses into a drip pan.
Keeping the coils free of dust helps with the transfer of the coolant and making sure the drip pan s drain is free of obstructions can help improve the central air conditioning unit s efficiency. Due the high cost of electricity that operates the unit, running it at minimal cost will prove a benefit.