It’s never fun to have your air conditioner break down on you in the middle of a record-breaking heatwave. Unfortunately, for many homeowners that is exactly what happens. Air conditioning problems are quite common over the summer months, as those are the months where the system is under the most strain. One of the most common signs that an air conditioner is not functioning properly is falling output. Read on to find out what might cause your air conditioner output to be low, and what you can do about it.
The Air Filter is Clogged
If you’re lucky, your air conditioner just needs to have its air filter changed. This is really simple to fix if you know what you’re doing, and most homeowners can do it themselves without need of a professional. Unfortunately, most homeowners aren’t aware that they need to change their air conditioner filters at all.
If the filter is not changed out every three months, approximately, it will run the risk of becoming clogged. A clogged air filter will be unable to allow most of the air in the ducts from flowing through it into the air conditioner. No air flowing into the air conditioner means no air for the system to circulate throughout the house. A clogged air filter can cause other, ore serious problems as well. Check to make sure that your air filter is clear next time you have an issue with system output.
Refrigerant Leaks
Is your air conditioner leaking any kind of fluid, especially in conjunction with a drop in cooling output? That’s a serious problem you need to get checked. It’s possible that you have a refrigerant leak in your system. Air conditioners rely on a single charge of refrigerant throughout their lifespans. The lower the refrigerant level drops due to a leak, the lower the system’s output capacity will drop as well. You need to have this issue repaired as soon as you can after noticing it, or else you may end up with a worse problem on your hands.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your air conditioner turns itself on and off every couple of minutes, instead of going through an entire heating cycle the way it’s supposed to. This can be caused by a malfunctioning compressor, an electrical short circuit, or a number of other factors. While short cycling initially doesn’t do much worse than prevent your air conditioner from cooling properly, it will almost always quickly lead to more serious problems. Make sure that you have a technician check out your air conditioner if it’s short cycling, unless you want to be replacing the entire system sooner rather than later.
SPS Mechanical Inc. offers comprehensive air conditioning services. If you’re looking for Sewell, NJ HVAC services without equal, we can help you out. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional technicians. We’ll make sure that your air conditioner is up to the task of keeping you cool this summer.
