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It’s heating up outside which means we are trying to cool it down inside. As we switch from heating to cooling in our home, there are common issues that may arise. The team at Joseph Frederick & Sons want to answer the most frequently asked questions so you can get your air conditioning running properly this summer.
When you hear an odd noise coming from your air conditioner, it should not be ignored. The longer the problem goes on, the smaller the chance that it can be fixed. As the air conditioner runs, it vibrates which may cause some of the screws to come loose. Check and tighten them all to see if that is the cause of the problem. The fan in the air conditioner must be upkept and cleaned so it can run correctly. When you hear a rattling noise or a harsh humming, that is an indication that it needs to be cleaned. The noise may also occur because the motor needs lubrication. To fix this problem you should apply SAE 10 oil on the motor at the beginning of every summer.
The moment you see water coming from your air conditioner you want to turn it off to prevent further damage. The most common reason this happens is because the condensate drain line is clogged. The unit is able to cool your home by taking the water vapor (condensate) out of the air. This flows down the drain line, but over time it can become clogged. If your air conditioner is located in the basement, it uses a drain pan to collect the condensate and a condensate pump gets it out. An older pan can get rusty which creates holes and cracks which can cause a water leak. These can be replaced and your air conditioner will run like new.
The evaporator coils can collect a layer of frost if there is a reduced air flow which can clog the air filter. The coils need the warm air from your house to keep the coils warm and above freezing. Without it, the condensate will freeze in the coil, blocking air flow. You’ll want to check your air filter to make sure the registers are clear and open. Another reason the air conditioner is freezing is because the refrigerant is low. When either of these occur you’ll want to turn the air conditioner off immediately. If freezing persists, you can fry the compressor which is very expensive to fix and you may need to replace the entire unit.
If any of these problems occur, give Joseph Frederick & Sons a call! No matter what air conditioning equipment you have, our professional team can repair it. It’s important to target the problem when it occurs, and not wait for it to get worse. Give us a call today or visit us online to schedule your repair service today!