Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Output Might be Low

Summer is just about the worst possible time to start experiencing air conditioning issues. It’s also the time of year when air conditioners are most likely to have problems. One of the first signs that the air conditioner is in trouble that most homeowners notice is dropping output. Have a look at some of the reasons why your air conditioner output is low, and what to do about it.

Refrigerant Leaks
Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to cool the home. It evaporates refrigerant to absorb thermal energy from the air in the home, then condenses it back into a liquid to vent the collected heat outside. The system doesn’t consume refrigerant, and relies on the same amount of refrigerant throughout its life. A refrigerant leak will cause the output level of the air conditioner to drop over time. Eventually, the refrigerant level will drop to the point where the air conditioner will completely break down. Make sure that you call for repairs as soon as you notice fluid dripping from your air conditioner.

Air Handler Malfunctioning
The air handler is the part of the air conditioner that circulates air throughout the home during operation. It’s basically a large motor with a fan attached to it. If the air handler malfunctions, it can deprive the air conditioner of it’s ability to cool the home. if your air conditioner is making a loud grinding sound during operation, it might be because the air handler is having issues. Make sure that you call a professional if you notice that your air conditioner is making that noise, or is not blowing as much air as it should be.

Short Cycling
Short cycling is when the air conditioner turns itself on and off every few minutes, instead of completing a full cooling cycle. This is caused by an electrical issue most of the time, though a malfunctioning compressor can also result in short cycling. The immediate effect of short cycling is that it cuts down on the air conditioner’s output capacity significantly. The long term effects are worse, though.

The longer a system is left to short cycle, the faster the parts in the system will begin to wear out. This added wear and tear causes parts to break down more often, causing repair costs to rise significantly. If you don’t repair the problem in time, you can end up having to replace the entire system years earlier than you otherwise would have. It’s very important that you turn off your air conditioner and call for repairs immediately upon noticing that it’s short cycling. No good can come from allowing it to short cycle for any length of time.

SPS Mechanical Inc. offers a full range of air conditioner repair services throughout West Deptford, NJ. If your air conditioner’s output is low, don’t ignore it. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians. We’ll make sure that your air conditioner is up to the task of keeping you cool this summer.