Homeowners spend around $11 billion every year to power their air conditioners, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. With summer in full swing, energy usage for air conditioners escalates to counteract the rise of temperatures outdoors.  However, enjoying a cooler air inside the home shouldn’t have to require spending more money. Installing a high-efficiency air conditioning system will reduce 20 to 50% of your energy expenses. When you are in the middle of a heat wave, the last thing you want to deal with is a broken cooling system, or waste time trying to figure out the problem. Routine maintenance on your AC unit will keep it operating at top efficiency, however, when things go wrong, the following repairs can be handled by an HVAC specialist like Carter Heating and Air.

An air conditioner has five parts, which work as follows:

• Refrigerant—substance used in the cooling process that is produced by the compressor
• Compressor—the heart of the AC that pumps the refrigerant vapor
• Condenser—where the hot refrigerant vapor becomes liquid
• Expansion valve—where the hot liquid is cooled down and moved to the coil
• Evaporator coil—a winding component that transfers heat from inside to the outdoor space, leaving the cooled liquid to release cold air into your home

Common HVAC Problems That You May Experience

Central Air Conditioners have the condenser unit outside the home. Even in its exterior location, the condenser still requires attention to make sure there is enough clearance around the unit so nothing can obstruct ventilation. If your air conditioning unit is not cooling, one reason may be that the condenser or the evaporator needs cleaning. Check to see if any weeds, grass clippings or debris are blocking the condenser.  If this doesn’t seem to fix the problem, it may indicate issues with your compressor or low refrigerant levels.

If your compressor is defective, contact Carter Heating and Air to examine the problem.  Whether the refrigerant is low in your unit or it is leaking, this is another  problem that should be left to a professional who is certified and trained to work with refrigerant.

Motor problems

An air conditioning unit has a motor, just like an automobile. And, just like a car engine, your AC’s motor is complicated.  Since there could be many reasons why the motor may be malfunctioning, the diagnosis and repair should be performed by a skilled technician.  You may be able to replace one part of the motor rather than replace the entire thing which will save yourself money in the long run.

It is always a good idea to leave repairs to a licensed professional like Carter Heating and Air.  Plus, you may end up spending more money on new parts you might not have needed.

To increase the efficiency of your cooling system, make sure to clean the filters and remove anything blocking the outdoor condenser.  This may help correct certain issues. Scheduling regular maintenance from Carter Heating and Air is another way to keep your AC unit working in top condition.  Save yourself time and money and call a trained and certified HVAC technician from Carter Heating and Air when your cooling system needs a repair.

Source:

5 repairs that require an air conditioning pro. Angieslist.com

Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Cooling. Energy.gov