If you had maintenance done before the summer season began, we hope you can confidently say that you don’t have any end-of-season AC repair needs now. But if you did not have maintenance done, or if you didn’t follow up with repair needs after that tune-up, then you might certainly have some repair issues you should watch out for as you prepare to turn off your cooling system for the fall and winter seasons.
There are some repair needs in particular that our HVAC professionals see more than others. Again, this is especially true if you skipped your annual maintenance appointment and as we near the end of summer—your air conditioner has been put under a lot of stress for the last few months!
The Truth About Maintenance
We really cannot underestimate the importance of preventive maintenance for your HVAC systems. This service allows our technicians to fully inspect your system, make necessary adjustments, and alert you to any minor repair needs before they grow into cooling system emergencies. Ultimately, maintenance helps you avoid the biggest and most sudden repair needs—like the ones we’ve listed below.
Failing Compressor: Your air conditioning system’s compressor is the heart of the cooling system. It is in charge of pressurizing the refrigerant, releasing the heat from your home outdoors. The compressor has its own motor, and a good deal of electrical wiring connected as well. The compressor is one component that works extremely hard all summer long, so different issues can crop up. For instance, you may have a motor issue, or run into an electrical failure. The compressor is complex, and since refrigerant runs through it, only a trained and licensed professional should deal with it.
Fan Troubles: There’s a pretty common misconception among homeowners that refrigerant is something that dissipates from the cooling system—much like gasoline does from a car. However, this isn’t the case. If your AC system is losing refrigerant, it means there is a leak that needs to be pinpointed and fixed. Otherwise, the AC can’t effectively and efficiently cool the living space in which it is installed.
Thermostat Problem: If the compressor is the heart of your air conditioner, then that must make your thermostat the brain. The good news is that a thermostat problem is typically the easiest and least costly to repair, when it comes to air conditioning repair needs in general. It might be that your thermostat batteries have died (go ahead and check just in case, even if you doubt this is the problem), or it may be that you have an older thermostat that needs an electrical wiring upgrade. It may even be that you need a new thermostat altogether—in which case we have many options for you to choose from!
Whether or not your specific AC repair need was mentioned above, if something is amiss with your system or you suspect there’s a problem, there is no time like the present to address it. Sooner is always better than later, even if your cooling system isn’t going to be used for another 6 months from now (actually, especially if it isn’t).