Nobody wants a breakdown in their HVAC system during the dog days of summer. Here are ten tips to keep your Missoula residential air conditioning system running smoothly and efficiently this summer, keeping your home cool and comfortable!
Symptom #1: Insufficient Cooling
If your air conditioning system is doing some work to cool your home but is not sufficiently getting the job done, read on!
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Dirty Air Filter
*The Fix: This is one of the quickest and simplest fixes. Simply switch out the dirty air filter with a fresh one. See if Garden City Plumbing & Heating has the model you need for fast acquisition to get your AC System running smoothly again!
2. Blocked Condenser Unit
*The Fix: Check out your condenser unit, which is the equipment outside. Look for debris, such as leaves or objects that have blown up against the unit and blocked airflow. Be sure to remove any blockages and carefully clean any visibly clogged external parts.
Symptom #2: Air Conditioner Not Turning On
If your air conditioning unit seems to have stopped working, you may be able to resurrect it! Read on to find out what Summer HVAC tips could help you!
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Tripped Circuit Breaker or Blown Fuse
*The Fix: On the easy end of the spectrum, you might simply need to flip a switch on your circuit board to get your Missoula residential air conditioning up and running again. Open your circuit breaker panel and find the switch corresponding to the AC System. Ensure that it is in the “on” position. If the circuit tripped, you can flip the switch back to “on.” If the circuit is already in the “on” position, you can easily reset the AC system by switching it off and back on.
2. Electrical Problem Within the System
*The Fix: If there is an electrical problem within your AC unit, you will need to call in a professional. Garden City Plumbing and Heating is available for repairs and service when you need us! Call us at (406) 728-5550 or contact us online, and one of our experts will call you right away.
Symptom #3: Strange Noises
If your air conditioning system is making unusual noises, the type of noise can be a pretty clear indication of the problem.
What Did it Sound Like?
1. Grinding sound can indicate worn-out or damaged motor bearings.
*The Fix: You can lubricate or replace the motor bearings in your AC unit. If you do not have sufficient knowledge to do this properly, we strongly suggest you call a licensed HVAC technician to service your AC unit.
2. Squealing sounds indicate a loose belt in your Missoula residential AC unit.
*The Fix: The belt in your AC system needs to be tightened or replaced. The belt is a fairly simple thing to replace. The important thing is to ensure you are replacing the belt with the correct model.
3. Banging or Clanking can indicate a loose or broken part inside the compressor.
*The Fix: Open the access panel on your AC unit and locate any broken parts. Look at the bottom for parts that broke free and around the gears for a part that is only partially broken off. Tighten or replace whatever part is loose or broken.
4. Hissing can indicate a refrigerant leak.
*The Fix: If a refrigerant leak is suspected, contact a professional technician to locate and repair the leak and refill the refrigerant.
5. Hissing can indicate a high internal pressure in the compressor.
*The Fix: If high pressure is causing the hiss, a professional should inspect the compressor to diagnose and resolve the pressure issue.
6. Clicking can signal a relay or control board issue.
*The Fix: Inspect the relay and control board for any signs of damage or malfunction. Replace any faulty components. If there is an electrical issue, your best bet is to call a licensed technician to troubleshoot the system.
7. Clicking can be caused by an obstruction in the fan or blower.
*The Fix: Check for obstructions in the fan or blower and remove any debris that might be causing the clicking sound.
Symptom #4: Unpleasant Odors
Unpleasant odors coming from your AC vents are not enjoyable and can be a health hazard. Continue reading to see what you can do about it!
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Mold or mildew buildup inside the unit or ductwork.
*The Fix: Clean the ductwork and air conditioning unit thoroughly, and consider installing a UV air purifier to prevent future growth. You might also consider getting an Aeroseal in your ductwork to seal any holes and create a barrier from any residual spores still in the ductwork.
Symptom #5: Water Leaking Around the Unit
If you find liquid pooling near your AC unit and suspect it is coming from it, you have found the right place.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Clogged condensate drain line
*The Fix: Clear the condensate drain line with a wet/dry vacuum. Make sure the drain line is securely reattached after cleaning it.
2. Broken Pump
*The Fix: If the pump is broken, it will need to be replaced. You can do this yourself if you have electrical and plumbing experience and it is a fairly complicated process. If you are unsure of your skill level, you can call a Missoula residential air conditioning contractor to get your AC running again smoothly.
Symptom #6: Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your AC unit frequently cycles on and off, typically 3+ times within 10 minutes. An AC unit should typically cycle on 2 to 3 times per hour, lasting about 10 minutes each time. If your AC kicks on in less than 10-minute intervals, it is short cycling.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Thermostat Issues
*The Fix: Start by replacing the batteries in your thermostat. You can recalibrate your thermostat using the owner’s manual that it came with.
2. Dirty Condenser Coils
*The Fix: You can gently clean the condenser coils in your AC unit. You can access them by removing a panel. Be careful not to damage them in the process. Also, be sure to turn off power before attempting this.
3. Oversized Air Conditioning Unit
*The Fix: It is just as important to not buy an AC unit that is too powerful for your space as it is to not buy one that is too small. An oversized AC unit can cause several issues, including short cycling. If you suspect this is your culprit, call the guys at Garden City Plumbing & Heating to see what can be done.
Symptom #7: High Indoor Humidity Level
Air conditioning not only cools our homes in the summer, but it also removes the moisture from the air. If your home feels humid inside while the AC is cooling the space, you may have a problem to fix.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Low Refrigerant Levels
*The Fix: Low refrigerant levels can reduce the cooling efficiency and cause the evaporator coil to freeze, preventing proper dehumidification. Contact a professional to check refrigerant levels, identify any leaks, and refill the refrigerant as needed.
2. Blocked or Dirty Evaporator Coils
*The Fix: Dirty or blocked evaporator coils reduce the unit’s ability to cool and dehumidify the air effectively. Have the evaporator coils cleaned by an HVAC technician during regular maintenance.
3. Oversized Air Conditioning Unit
*The Fix: An oversized AC unit cools the space too quickly, causing short cycling. This prevents the unit from running long enough to remove sufficient moisture from the air. Have an HVAC professional evaluate the size of your unit relative to your space. If it’s oversized, consider replacing it with a correctly sized unit.
4. Malfunctioning Dehumidification Components
*The Fix: Certain AC units have dedicated dehumidification components that may malfunction. Have a professional inspect and repair any faulty dehumidification components.
Symptom #8: High Energy Bills
Higher energy bills than you expect for this time of year can be a sign of inefficient air conditioning unit performance. Read on to discover the likely culprits.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Dirty Filters
*The Fix: Dirty filters can be the cause of a host of problems and are such an easy, quick fix. Simply replace the air filters on your AC unit regularly to keep air flowing cleanly and sufficiently to keep your unit working efficiently.
2. Low Refrigerant
*The Fix: Checking refrigerant levels is one of the things a technician should check when you have a yearly inspection. If you forgot to schedule one for this year or have a new leak since your last inspection, you will need to have this checked. Call your trusted Missoula residential air conditioning techs to check your refrigerant level, refill and repair any leaks to get your system back up and running efficiently.
3. Aging Air Conditioning Unit
*The Fix: Older AC units are not as efficient as the latest models because technology has advanced so rapidly. Also, as units get older and more worn, they become less efficient than when they were new. For both of these reasons, your AC unit getting older could be the cause of your high energy bills. It may be time to purchase a new AC unit and have it installed in your home. Contact Garden City Plumbing and Heating today to see what your options are.
Summer HVAC Tips for Troubleshooting Your Air Conditioning
If you have been looking for Summer HVAC tips to get your Missoula AC system running properly and efficiently, you have found the right article. Check out more symptoms in this article, or call us to see what your AC needs at (406) 728-5550 is our number, or contact us online to see how we can help you!