One of the worst possible times for your air conditioner to breakdown is during the sweltering Summer months. Unfortunately, this exact scenario is a common occurrence for countless individuals across the country, so we’re hoping to shed some light on why these poorly-timed failures are prevalent.
Dirty Air Filters
One reason your air conditioner might fail in the Summer is due to dirty or clogged air filters. If enough dirt has built up in a filter, it cuts off the cool air from circulating properly, and forces the unit to work doubly hard in trying to reach the intended temperature.
To mitigate this, be sure to check the state of your air filter on a regular basis, and replace it as needed.
Clogged Condenser Coils
Like air filters, condenser coils can build up considerable amounts of gunk overtime, which can make the system overwork itself as it tries to cool your home. These extended periods of hampered performance will eventually begin to wear down your AC and damage its components, leading to a slew of repairs.
Trapped Moisture
Your air conditioner gathers moisture from the indoor air as it works to cool your home. Typically, this moisture seamlessly drains from the AC, but if part of the drainage system is clogged, this moisture never leaves.
The longer the backed-up water fails to drain from the system, the more damage it can do, eventually causing your air conditioner to fail.
Malfunctioning or Damaged Fans
If your air conditioning system’s fans are broken, malfunctioning, damaged or otherwise not performing up to expectations, it can lead to airflow issues that can evolve to the point of a breakdown.
Low or Leaking Refrigerant
When your air conditioner has low levels of refrigerant (whether due to a leak or otherwise), it fails to produce air that is as cold as it should be. Consequently, the system will still work overtime to try and produce the desired temperature, which can cause all sorts of malfunctions that may lead to failure.
It’s Reached the End of Its Intended Lifespan
No air conditioner lasts forever, even when it is actively taken care of and given regular maintenance.
The unfortunate truth about air conditioners that regularly fail during the Summer is that they might simply be too old to continue doing their job.
In cases such as these, your best option is to completely replace the unit, rather than spend money on expensive repairs that will only delay the inevitable.
These are just a few of the reasons your air conditioning might fail during the hot Summer months. In any case, the best way to prevent a breakdown is through regular maintenance, and by being on the lookout for warning signs of mechanical issues, such as the AC blowing out warm air or taking a longer-than-usual amount of time for the house to cool.
Keep Your Home Comfortable With Coastal Refrigeration Corp.
Since 2004, Coastal Refrigeration has been proudly serving residential and commercial customers in Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex County, New Jersey with heating, air conditioning, and other HVAC services.
Coastal Refrigeration is here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs. Contact us today to get a free heating and cooling estimate!
