Top 5 Causes Behind the Most Common AC Repairs
December 21st, 2021Air conditioner repairs are not always a result of damaged components. Repairs are regulatory when ensuring the projected lifespan of a unit. However, as a homeowner, you’re most likely curious about how, why, and when air conditioners need repairs. Don’t worry! More often than not, AC problems are to be expected when units have been working for a number of years.
To clarify the importance of AC repairs, our specialists have listed the key reasons air conditioner repairs may be necessary. In Hawaii, air conditioners typically run year-round. So, it’s no surprise why a homeowner should have their system inspected—or even require AC repairs from a professional—every once in a while. Here you will find the top problems that may require professional air conditioner repairs.
Top 5 Air Conditioner Problems
1. Refrigerant Leaks
Sometimes, AC units begin to run low on refrigerant. It should be noted that this depletion of coolant isn’t the result of normal AC processes. Low refrigerant levels are often a result of leaks or undercharging during the installation process. If your system is experiencing a leak, adding more refrigerant is never a sound solution. The leak will ultimately need to be fixed and the AC system itself will need to be recharged.
It’s important to utilize the expertise of a trained and licensed AC technician near you who can identify the issue, fix the leak, inspect refrigerant lines, and properly charge the air conditioning unit with the appropriate amount of coolant. Your system should never be undercharged or overcharged with refrigerant, which is why this process is best left to HVAC experts.
2. AC System Corrosion
It’s no “shock” that when wires and other components are exposed to high levels of vapor or moisture, they are prone to corrosion. Don’t worry, this exposure will not be a cause for any immediate safety concerns. Instead, this exposure will cause your AC to struggle to reach optimal efficiency due to the effect corrosion has on the terminals and wires of your unit.
In some cases, corrosion may cause your system to come to a complete stop altogether. While corrosion isn’t a dangerous issue to deal with, it’s still best practice to leave relevant repairs to a professional HVAC technician.
3. Clogged Drains
When your unit is functioning normally, it removes moisture from the air and disperses it via drain lines. Moisture then drips into the pan underneath the AC unit, and eventually travels down a pipe that drains the excess moisture outside of your home. If your pan is full or the drain has become clogged, the condensation can accumulate and begin to overflow. This can damage floors or ceilings, and even stop your system from cooling altogether.
4. Dirty Air Filters
Air filters should be changed at least once a month to ensure proper airflow and avoid any health problems, ranging from trouble breathing to dizziness and headaches that result from inhaling debris. Too much debris coating or lining specific components of your unit can reduce system efficiency. Air blowing through dirty filters can even pump dirt, dust, pollen, and dander into your home, causing poor indoor air quality. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable about changing or cleaning your filters, an experienced HVAC technician can clean or replace your filters during a tune-up for optimal efficiency.
5. Frozen Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils in an air conditioning unit are responsible for capturing hot air. These condenser coils require warm air circulating around them in order to avoid freezing over. Too much cold air on the evaporator coils will create ice buildup, which can be harmful to your AC unit’s efficiency. It’s best to have frozen coils diagnosed and treated by a professional in air conditioning system repairs.
Do You Need HVAC Service?
The air conditioning repair specialists of Island Comfort have been offering their expertise and professional HVAC system services to Hawaii residents for years. If you require AC repairs, you can count on us to solve the issue fast and restore indoor comfort! Contact us for a service call today! Be sure to ask about your preventative maintenance services to avoid common air conditioning problems in the future.
Ice on the Air Conditioner: Why Is It Happening?
December 7th, 2021You may be thinking to yourself, “Why is my air conditioner icing up?” Don’t worry, it’s completely normal! Well, maybe not “normal”, but ice accumulating on an air conditioning unit is a common occurrence, and AC system repairs can address the problem. You aren’t the first or the last person with a frozen AC.
Our specialists have discussed the common causes of air conditioner freezing and how to repair it. The following guide can help you understand how and why a buildup of ice accumulates on an air conditioning system—and how to resolve it. Let’s get into it!
What Causes an AC Unit to Ice Up?
Ice forming on an air conditioner may initially draw some concern. However, it often points to a common problem that most AC units experience in their lifetime. A block of ice on the AC system in your home occurs when a component of the condenser isn’t getting enough hot air coming in to maintain a proper temperature. This leads to freezing. This issue typically forces an HVAC system to work harder to cool. As a result, it is a waste of energy and ultimately leads to poor AC performance (and indoor discomfort).
Low Internal Temperatures
Air conditioners ice up when the temperature in the condenser’s evaporator coil drops too low. The air intake should normally be receiving warm air and sending it outside of your home. Systems freeze when the flow of this hot air stops. Thus, instead of removing hot air from your home, the evaporator coils end up transferring air that is too cold. This results in ice buildup on the air conditioner.
Other Causes of Ice Forming
Another culprit of an air conditioner icing up is a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system has a clogged air filter, the result is restricted airflow. A lack of refrigerant is another common contributing factor to icing, as well as dirty coils or broken blower fans within the system itself. Technicians typically check HVAC systems during regular maintenance visits for these factors, but there are ways to address these issues on your own.
Resolving AC Icing
Changing or cleaning air filters to remove blockading debris is one solution to air conditioner icing. However, if you routinely clean your filters and have no debris blocking the airflow, you may need to consider other methods for resolution.
Removing any obstruction to airflow such as curtains, blinds, and furniture is another common solution that will prevent air conditioner freezing. In terms of AC repairs, it is best to leave most practices to qualified HVAC technicians.
A professional HVAC technician will often clean the dirty evaporator coil, replace air filters, clear return vents, inspect the blower motor, or repair fans depending on the culprit of the icing. Ensuring proper airflow is crucial to avoiding icing/freezing. In some cases, technicians find low refrigerant and will fix any leaks before returning refrigerant levels back to normal.
How Air Conditioner Icing Wastes Energy
Icing and freezing of an AC unit often go hand-in-hand with skyrocketing energy bills. Air conditioners need to work overtime and deliver poor performance when components of the unit, like the coils or fan, are dirty, damaged, or frozen. This puts a lot of stress on the unit and can significantly reduce its lifespan. More often than not, increased energy bills can result in higher costs than air conditioner repairs—when the problem is left unresolved. It’s best practice to contact a professional HVAC technician immediately if your unit is frozen or you noticed a refrigerant leak. That’s where we come in!
Island Comfort Air Conditioning: We’re here to help
The HVAC specialists at Island Comfort have been handling and repairing frozen, damaged, or malfunctioning AC units in Hawaii for years! If you’re having difficulty with your air conditioning unit, or your system has begun to ice over, reach out to us today to schedule service for a tune-up and let’s get your problem solved! We take great pride in restoring homeowners’ comfort, and look forward to working with you!
5 Signs Your AC Is Overworking to Keep Your Home Cool
November 9th, 2021When you live on a tropical island, you need an air conditioner that functions properly. However, as Hawaii’s climate remains at a constantly warm temperature for the majority of the year, the possibility of your AC overworking itself increases significantly.
Whenever you find yourself asking, “Why is my air conditioner not cooling the house?” there is most likely a common cause that your AC technician can quickly repair.
To help identify potential signs that your HVAC system is overworking itself, we have devised a list of the five most common signs to keep in mind the next time your AC isn’t working as usual.
High Utility Bills
Typically, the first and most obvious sign that your air conditioner is overworking itself is a high monthly electricity bill. An overworking AC usually results in a high electricity bill, especially when you don’t use the system any more than usual. Therefore, if your bills are higher than average and you are not consuming more energy, an overworking AC is most likely the culprit. We recommend contacting your maintenance team.
Increased Humidity
More often than not, if your home has been muggy lately, the reason is that your HVAC system is too large for your home. Therefore, its powerful compressor turns off before adequately humidifying the air. Over time, your air conditioner can become damaged due to overworking by frequently turning on and off before an entire cycle is complete. In this instance, you may have to consider replacing it with a smaller unit to achieve your desired results.
Strange Sounds Coming from the AC
Of course, all air conditioners produce sounds, with larger and more powerful units louder than others. However, loud, mechanical noises emitting from your AC usually warrant further investigation, as this could be a sign that your HVAC system is overworking itself.
When your AC has been in use for years, its internal components have been subjected to wear and tear. Such wear and tear can lead your AC to malfunction. As a result, your AC overworks itself while continuing to operate in this state. In this instance, contact your servicing company immediately, as prolonged use can lead to significant damages and costly repairs.
AC Fails to Cool Home
Another noticeable sign of an overworking air conditioner is when you notice that it is not cooling your home as it shoulds. Even on the hottest days, your AC should still be able to achieve a comfortable temperature in your home. However, if you turn down the thermostat and make sure your unit is running and it is still hot, then the internal components of your AC have likely been damaged due to being overworked. Therefore, you need an appointment with a technician.
Hot and Cold Spots
When your air conditioner is running, and you have checked that all of your vents are open, yet only a few rooms in your home are cool, then your HVAC system is probably overworking itself. This issue generally results from a burned-out compressor, which is a severe issue that requires immediate attention from a professional.
Island Comfort Air Conditioning
If your AC is not cooling your home correctly, it could be experiencing complications from being overworked. Luckily, at Island Comfort, air conditioner repairs are our specialty.
We are proud to provide HVAC installation and maintenance services to the residents of Hawaii. No matter what issue you’re experiencing, we are the company for all of your HVAC-related needs.
For additional information in regards to our products and services, contact us today!
