Probably the worst thing that can happen during the summer is for your home’s A/C to go out — in the middle of a heat wave. The scorching temperatures of Las Vegas can make summer unbearable if your A/C suddenly stops working. To prevent this catastrophe, be on the lookout for the following signs.
- Bad A/C capacitor
If the A/C is not blowing cool air, the cause could be a bad capacitor. The capacitor is a small cylindrical part that keeps the A/C motor working. Other signs of a bad capacitor include:
- A/C takes a while to start once turned on
- Humming sound
- A/C powers off without cooling the home
- A/C won’t turn on
- Dirty air filters
The air filters remove harmful pollutants that could exacerbate allergies and other respiratory conditions. Because the A/C is on nearly 24/7 during the summer, it’s important to change out the filters more often than usual. A clogged air filter will place more strain on the A/C, forcing the unit to work harder and reducing its efficiency. Eventually, heavily clogged air filters could cause the A/C to stop working completely.
- Clogged A/C drain line
The A/C drain line allows moisture from the evaporator coils to escape. Over time, however, the drain line can become covered in dirt, algae, and other debris, making it harder for water to exit the system. This can lead to a number of problems, including frozen evaporator coils, leaks, and water damage. Signs of a clogged A/C drain line include water dripping from the A/C unit, exhaust fans, or bottom of the cabinet housing the unit.
- Refrigerant leak
Refrigerant is a liquid that evaporates into cooling gas, helping to remove heat and humidity from the home. One sign of a refrigerant leak is when the A/C fails to cool the home, even though it is running.
- High energy bill
An unusually high energy bill could be a sign that the A/C is working harder or longer than normal to cool the home. To lower your bill, you could change the energy filters, conduct a home energy audit, and perform regular A/C maintenance.
For more information about air conditioners, or to schedule installation and repair service, give us a call!