It is the dead of summer and the heat is unbearable. At least you have your wonderfully cool home to retreat to, right? Just when you think you are safe you hear the dreaded death rattle of the air conditioning unit and the cool air stops blowing. So what do you do? What could be wrong? We have put together a shortlist of the most common reasons that the AC unit is malfunctioning.

Frozen Coil

If the coil to the unit is frozen it could mean that there is an issue with the airflow. Sometimes the airflow can become obstructed because of a dirty air filter or a problem with the return ductwork. If you have indoor coils that are frozen it may be a sign that you are low on refrigerant.

Outside Fan

The fan outside is supposed to move the heat from your home to the outside. If the fan is not working correctly it cannot move the hot air out of the house and the compressor controlling the AC unit can overheat. Having an AC unit overheat could trip the circuit for safety. An overheated AC unit can also cause serious damage to the internal components of the compressor.

Refrigerant

The refrigerant in the AC unit is responsible for cooling the air. If the refrigerant is low there may be a leak or an internal problem with the system. If this happens, your AC unit might need to be recharged. Typically in these cases, the loss of refrigerant is due to a leak. If there is a leak in your unit, you will need to have it repaired to prevent further complications with your AC unit and to be in compliance with U.S. EPA regulations.

Wiring

Not only is faulty wiring dangerous and potential fire risk, but it can also be the source of problems if your AC unit is not working. Having poor wiring can cause the unit to lose power or can cause the circuit breaker to trip.

For more information on AC repair or if you need 24/7 emergency plumbing services, contact the team at Vander Hyde Services today.