When the weather warms up, you count on the AC to start with a flip of the switch. The house cools down, the family stays comfortable, and you’re ready for another Texas summer. Sometimes, bad things happen to good equipment. Every homeowner deals with unexpected HVAC problems sooner or later, and these five are on the top of the air conditioner repair list.
1. Bad Connections
From the thermostat to fan controls, your AC depends on a sophisticated network of wiring. When this system of electronic highways properly routes all the signals, everything runs smoothly. Over time, corrosion causes wires and terminals to lose their ability to transfer power. Connections and contacts eventually wear out, and you’re faced with tripped circuit breakers or a unit that won’t turn on. Faulty wiring can become a fire hazard when your unit works overtime running on less than full power.
2. Frozen Coils
Your AC is designed to keep the house cool, so why would it take on a chill and freeze up? This kind of trouble starts with the evaporator coils. When everything works properly, these components transfer heat from indoors to the outside. However, built-up dirt and clogged filters restrict air flow around the unit and interfere with efficient performance. Freezing air conditioning problems can also result from a badly calibrated thermostat or low refrigerant levels. Once the coils become covered with ice, they overwork the compressor and set up your system for failure.
3. Leaking Refrigerants
There’s nothing more discouraging than an AC that starts blowing warm air. Turning the thermostat down doesn’t help, and you know the trouble is serious when coils begin to ice over. An uncomfortable house and frozen components are sure signs that your home HVAC system has a refrigerant problem. Recharging the unit is a temporary fix because you’re losing refrigerant through line leaks, faulty valve cores and loose fittings. Without professional repair, you’re facing expensive replacements. Leaking refrigerants can ruin the evaporator, copper line sets and condenser coils.
4. Drainage Problems
The evaporator coils in your AC unit routinely produce condensation while they do their job, but that water isn’t supposed to run down the walls. The drip pan under the coils catches moisture and funnels it outside through a drain line. Eventually, dirt and debris begin to clog the line and slow down its operation. This sets up a perfect environment for mold growth that makes the problem worse. Once the drain line stops up, water overflows the pan and starts seeping into insulation, ceilings and sheetrock.
5. Compressor Failure
This is one of the most expensive air conditioner problems that Dallas-Fort Worth homeowners face. Your compressor supports the AC system by cycling refrigerant through the unit and removing heat from the air. However, yard clippings, oil pump leaks and even cobwebs can accumulate and compromise its performance. A voltage imbalance or reduced suction causes the unit to overheat while refrigerant floodback leads to pressure malfunctions. Expensive compressor failure is usually the result of existing problems with inexpensive solutions.
Regular HVAC maintenance helps your home system avoid these common air conditioning problems, but the Texas heat takes a toll. If you run into unexpected trouble, don’t make the situation worse with a bad call. It’s tempting to save a few dollars with cut-rate offers and discounted repairs from an unlicensed contractor. Your AC and your peace of mind deserve the best, so trust the job to an experienced, reputable HVAC specialist. It’s a smart investment that pays off in longer equipment life and dependable home cooling for many summers to come.