Unfortunately, things happen, and when something goes wrong with your air conditioner, it can be really annoying. First of all, your home may begin to feel like the Saraha Desert, and secondly, you’ll find that you are paying more and more money just to keep your home ‘kinda’ cool.
A broken air conditioner leave you wondering “WHY ME?“, so below, we have decided to answer that question. There are plenty of reasons why your air conditioner may malfunction, and maybe, we can help you feel better by explaining just how common these issues are.
So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading to find out more!
Here’s What Could Be Wrong with Your AC
There are plenty of reasons why your air conditioning in Lynnwood, WA might not be working the way it should:
Problem 1: Low Cooling Output
There are a number of reasons why your air conditioner might not be providing you with the cooling output you desire:
- Refrigerant leaks: A refrigerant leak can cause all sorts of problems, including low cooling output. Your AC relies on refrigerant to transfer heat from inside your home outside, so without it, you can certainly expect a decline in cooling power.
- Overheating components: An overheating component, like a fan motor, might be impacting your system’s ability to cool. The heat generated by the broken component can find its way into your indoor air and lower the efficiency of the entire system.
- Leaky ductwork: A breach in your ductwork allows cool air to escape from the system before it reaches its desired destination. In fact, 30% of cool, conditioned air can escape through leaky ducts.
- Dirt and debris: Dirt and debris can clog your ductwork, making it much harder for cool air to pass. Not only will efficiency decline, but you’ll be left feeling rather uncomfortable.
Problem 2: Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your air conditioner repeatedly turns on and off without ever completing a full cooling cycle. Not only is short cycling extremely inefficient, but it also places a ton of strain on your system, so it is important to schedule your repairs ASAP if your system turns on and off every few minutes. There are a number of reasons why your system may begin short cycling, including:
- Dirty filter: If the filter in a forced-air HVAC system is too dirty, it can create so much airflow resistance that the system overheats and shuts down. Fortunately, this is something you can take care of on your own: simply replace the filter every 1-3 months during the summer to prevent short-cycling.
- Faulty capacitor: Air conditioners use start and run capacitors to maintain a charge. If this component is faulty, then the system won’t be able to run continually as needed.
- Refrigerant leaks: As we mentioned above, your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to transfer heat from one place to another. If there is a leak in the system, it is likely that your AC will begin to overheat and shut down. Short-cycling is an early warning sign that your system is running low on refrigerant.
For comprehensive air conditioning service in the Puget Sound Area, contact the team at G & S Heating, Cooling, & Electric.
