Common Air Conditioning Problems Jackson, TN Summers Cause
Tennessee heat can put your air conditioner to the test. You will find the vents putting out warm air at the very moment you want some relief and wonder what is behind the higher energy bills that come with each passing summer.
You are in good company if you have had such an experience. We at Cagle Service understand the toll a long and humid season takes on a cooling system; we have been putting Jackson, TN homeowners at ease for years now, back to 2005. Pick up the phone to (731)-207-4503 and we can put your mind at rest as to what is happening.
An air conditioner has a hard time of it in these parts. With the high humidity and heat lasting for months, the system is working overtime. It is only a matter of time before that sort of unrelenting demand reveals its deficiencies, things one would not see in more clement weather. We have put together a rundown of the problems we come across and their origins.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
In the midst of a heat wave your unit can freeze, odd as it may seem. Should the refrigerant be low or there is an obstruction to airflow, the evaporator coil will go below freezing and ice will put in an appearance. The system then is unable to do its job of removing heat from the home.
Typical culprits for a frozen coil are:
- An air filter so clogged or dirty it restricts the flow
- A slow leak leaving you short on refrigerant
- Return vents in the house that are blocked
- A blower fan on its way out
- The coil itself being covered in dirt
Shut the system down to let it thaw if you spot ice or poor airflow and have a professional look into it.
Refrigerant Leaks
Unlike a car running on gas, the air conditioner does not consume its refrigerant. A low reading means there is a leak. To let the system run low in a Jackson summer is to invite more damage down the road.
You will know something is amiss with the refrigerant by hissing from the unit, the thermostat being unable to make headway on the cooling, or warm air at the vents. This is no place for a DIY approach. Refrigerant work calls for a license and we are insured to do it properly.
Clogged Condensate Drain Lines
The moisture your air conditioner extracts from the home has to be drained off via the condensate line. But after running nonstop through the summer the line is prone to clogging from algae and other detritus. In addition to water damage about the indoor unit, a tripped safety switch from a backed up line can put the whole system out of commission. Some routine cleaning will stave that off.
Worn Out Capacitors and Electrical Parts
The outdoor unit’s electrical components take a beating from the heat. The capacitors are what get the compressor and fan motors going and keep them there. Put enough strain on them over the course of the summer and they wear out, and you are left with a system that will not cool, or will just hum and then quit.
We do not guess at electrical repairs, our team will make a full diagnosis. We are versed in HVAC, plumbing and electrical.
Dirty Condenser Coils and Outdoor Units
All the heat drawn from inside has to be put out by the outdoor unit. If the condenser coils are laden with pollen, grass and dirt, that heat has no outlet. Your system will labour harder and longer and you will see it on your bill. A little maintenance to clean the coils and clear the area around the unit is well worth it.
Preventing a Summer Breakdown
For the most part these issues are avoidable with some upkeep and a timely call if things do not seem right. All too often they rear their heads on the hottest of days when the system is under the greatest duress.
Make a habit of the following:
- Put in a new air filter
- Clear any obstructions from the vents
- Rinse the debris from the outside of the unit
- Have a tune-up done prior to the height of summer
- Do not put off a call when the cooling is lackluster
There is no need to sweat it if your air conditioner is not performing. Cagle Service is here Monday to Sunday, 7:30am to 4pm. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee and 189 Google reviews to our name (4.9 stars), we stand behind what we do. Call (731)-207-4503 and we will have your home comfortable once more.