A/C Frequently Ask Questions

Air Conditioner, Cooling, HVAC | 0 comments

Here in Ohio, the temperatures rise a lot higher than most folks think. Of course, Ohioans appreciate the warm summers this state has to offer. But, as much as we love our summer activities here in the midwest, the feeling of the blast of cool air in our comfortable homes will never get old. Unfortunately, AC’s of all different kinds can be susceptible to breakdowns, especially during the hottest of months. Here, Loveland Heating & Air has provided some commonly asked questions and resolutions that folks have on maintaining and repairing their AC’s.

1. How Do I Know When My AC Needs To Be Repaired?

If cool air within your home has ceased, checking your thermostat should be your first priority.

Take the following steps to check your thermostat:

Change the batteries if the display appears blank on your thermostat.
Upon changing batteries, if the display still appears blank, then detach the thermostat from the wall and inspect all the wires to ensure your thermostat is receiving power. Using a multimeter can help assist in checking voltage.
If your thermostat is not receiving any voltage, investigate your fuse box to check if any fuses were tripped or blown. If everything looks good, find the switch attached to the AC and reset the connection by switching it on and off.
If there is voltage but still a blank display on your thermostat, check the condenser located outside to see if a fuse was blown or tripped.
If you’re still experiencing difficulties with your thermostat not working, it might be time to change out your thermostat for a new one. Before you look into replacing your thermostat, be sure to check the warranty to see if it is expired.

If the thermostat in your home is functioning correctly, but your AC won’t switch on:

Switch on the fans to check if your blower is running adequately.
Replace the air filters if they are older than a month old or if debris is visible. Dirty air filters can restrict airflow in your AC by causing a build-up of debris and dirt within the system.
Inspect condensation drain.

2. When Must I Replace My AC?

It can be a sizable investment in replacing a new AC system.

Consider the following before investing:

Age of the AC in your home. The life expectancy of an AC can be anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Unfortunately, if the AC in your home is over a decade old, it might be time to consider replacing your system.
Increase in Energy Costs. As your AC grows older, they come to lack energy efficiency. To confirm your AC is becoming less efficient, take your electric bills from the past few summers and differentiate the costs from the current summer. If your electric bill appears to be increasing, it might be time to replace your AC.
Refrigerant Leak. Refrigerant is not only expensive but can be threatening to your AC’s equipment if leaked. Depending on the refrigerant that is required for your AC may cause inevitable troubles later on for your equipment.

3. Why Does My AC Keep Freezing Up?

Lack of airflow to evaporator coils and lack of refrigerant are some of the most frequent reasons your AC may be freezing up. If your AC is freezing, one of the first things you should do is turn off the system. If your AC continues to run, your system’s equipment could be susceptible to damage.

Check freezing equipment by:

Looking over temperature settings on the thermostat. If the temperature in your home is set to 70 degrees or lower on the thermostat, this could be the cause of why your AC is freezing up.
Reviewing levels of refrigerant. A larger issue could be occurring inside your AC if the refrigerant levels become low. We recommend calling a professional to take a look at your refrigerant levels.
Checking for dirty air filters. A dirty, clogged air filter is another possible problem most folks run into often enough. As referenced before, keep up with changing your air filters at least once a month, especially if you own pets or light candles in your home.
Searching for dirty or blocked vents. To secure proper airflow to your evaporator coils, make sure all vents are open.
Inspecting evaporator coils. Problems will arise if the evaporator coils become dirty or blocked with debris.
Examining Fans. The task a fan has to an AC is to keep cool air circulating throughout important areas in your home.