The winter months are long and cool enough that, even in Australia, most folks generally stop using their air cons for a while. It’s easy to forget about and even neglect your air conditioning unit when you are not using it frequently. However, what often happens is that, when summer arrives, your air con has a whole suite of problems that weren’t there last summer.
If your air con isn’t working properly, the issue may be more common than you think – and thus easier to fix. Here are five common air conditioning problems that you should know about.
Table of Contents
1. Condensation
This is the most common problem with air conditioning units, and yet it can be prevented simply by emptying your unit’s water tank at least once a month. In winter months, however, if you haven’t used your air conditioner in a while it may fill up faster than expected since water from the surrounding environment seeps into the unit through evaporation.
That being said, you should still check to ensure that this isn’t happening frequently because there could be a larger issue going on.
Dirty Filters
Air con filters are designed to keep dust and other particles from clogging your evaporator coils so they can maintain their maximum cooling ability. If these filters too dirty or dusty they will struggle to do their job. In fact, they will end up getting coated in dirt and dust themselves, meaning that you will eventually need to replace them altogether. If the filter is visibly dirty or clogged with debris then it’s time for a change.
However, even if the filter looks clean know that it may not be as effective as before since its pores are blocked – remember to always cycle your air con on high for approximately 5 minutes once every couple of months (with clean filters) to manually shake off accrued particles.
3. Dirty Coils
Air conditioning units work by using refrigerant gas (a chemical mixture) which expands rapidly when it comes out of the evaporator coils; this rapid expansion causes cold air which you can feel coming from the vents. If the coils are dirty then they won’t be able to circulate the gas efficiently and, thus, your air con will struggle to maintain a room’s temperature.
It may even completely break down due to very high pressure caused by a heavily dirty evaporator coil.
4. Lint Build Up
The outdoor condenser unit of your air conditioning system is designed to expel hot air which it does using an exhaust vent. This vent will suck in any nearby lint or debris which accumulates over time but isn’t cleaned up often enough – making this yet another common problem that can lead to bigger issues with your equipment if not tended to quickly.
5. Dirty Outdoor Unit Filter
Much like the indoor filter discussed above, this filter is designed to prevent dust and other particles from entering the compressor unit. If allowed in it will cause your air con to struggle or even break entirely. To keep this from happening, clean the filter every 2-3 months by simply vacuuming it with a soft brush attachment.
With a little bit of proactive maintenance you can ensure that your air conditioning unit will run efficiently no matter what the season!
Reliable Air Con Installation Services
Sometimes, the issues your air conditioner is experiencing can’t be fixed by simply cleaning the components. Older air cons, air cons that are rusted, faulty compressors and gas leaks may require an air conditioner replacement instead.
Air con installations should always be done by professional companies like Act Right Electrical. With the experience and qualifications to back them, they ensure quality air cons at quality prices. They also have the expertise and skill needed to ensure every installation is done correctly and looks great.
Regardless of the size of your home or office space, the team at Act Right Electrical is sure to have an air con cooling solution for you! Get in touch for a personalized quote.
