Summer AC: Common Problems, Quick Checks, And When To Call

It’s chilly outside right now, but if you’ve lived in Nevada for any length of time, you know that it won’t be long before the summer season arrives, and its grueling heat sets in. You want your air conditioner units to be ready the moment the barometer soars into the red, and the best way to overcome the inevitable onslaught of humidity is to have your local HVAC professional give your house a 21-point tune-up. In the context of insulation and energy efficiency, tune-ups are affordable and can identify potential problems before they transform into expensive, schedule-disrupting breakdowns and unbearably hot indoor temperatures. When you get professional HVAC maintenance during the summer, it can improve programmable system efficiency and performance, allowing you to relish in reliable and uninterrupted cooling and comfort, all the while keeping an eye on your energy bills. Here are some helpful tips in the form of a 21-step guide involved in preparing your air conditioning units for summer! It includes the most common procedures like calibrating the thermostat, evaluating refrigerant levels, checking for leaks, assessing the operation of the blower belt and motor, and cleaning the condenser coils and drain—everything needed to grant your system a clean bill of health!

•  Inspecting the condenser for oil deposits and other debris in the vicinity of windows and accessible areas. The condenser is one of three principal elements in your air conditioning system, the others being the evaporator and compressor. The US Department of Energy indicates that compressor energy consumption can leap up to 30% when a condenser coil, responsible for condensate drainage, is dirty.
•  Once the condensate drain check is complete, your HVAC professional will use a pressure gauge to measure the system’s operating pressure to verify an adequate reading.
•  In the same vein, checking the capacitor and start components is key. The capacitor is this small, cylindrical unit that stores energy. Serving as a storage unit for energy, the capacitor essentially sends an initial jolt to start the motor or releases continued series of jolts to keep it running. Thus, it coordinates with the compressor, blower motor, and exterior fan to keep your AC up and running properly.
•  Keeping in mind the climatic conditions, experts will monitor refrigerant levels and and perform a visual check for any leaks, particularly around house windows. This evaluation will take into account whether the air conditioning refrigerant is R22 or R410A. The Environmental Protection Agency phased out R22, also known as Freon, in 2004, aiming for it to be completely obsolete by 2020. Its successor is R410A, also known as Puron.
•  Inspecting the home’s ducting and ventilation systems in conjunction with checking the integrity of insulation. According to Energy Star, an estimated 20% of conditioned air that traverses your home’s duct system is lost due to holes, leaks, and poor connections, thereby making your HVAC system labor harder. These gaps can also allow air, debris, and dust into the system.

The remainder of the steps are carried out subsequently with the same attention to detail. This includes, but is not limited to, running the HVAC system for the requisite eight to ten minutes to ensure temperature balance in the ductwork, scrutinizing the return and supply air temperatures, and reviewing thermostat wiring for accurate readings and efficiency. Problems with an HVAC system may have a range of causes. The fan, for example, might be moving too slowly or be the incorrect size for the system, resulting in inefficient cooling and higher energy costs. Moreover, just like brushes sweeping a floor, fans need to effectively circulate air in the room they're designed for, to ensure complete temperature control. Your issue could be as simple as a dirty filter, which can occur if products such as loose dirt or dust enter the system. Regularly changing filters can save you money in the long run by preventing costly maintenance. Problems with the ductwork can also cause serious issues. Inadequately sealed doors or windows can let in outside weather, putting extra strain on the system and affecting heating or cooling efficiency. Temperature differences of less than 14 degrees are sometimes due to small issues like dirty oil, which can limit the system's performance. Refrigerant loss is another potential issue. Without enough refrigerant, the system will work less efficiently, which may increase energy bills. Problems with the air return system could also cause this temperature difference. For example, if the system does not properly capture and recycle air, it could struggle to maintain a consistent temperature. A fan that’s too large for the unit can also lead to temperature inconsistencies - this might seem like a minor issue, but it's important for the fan to be correctly sized to control the flow of warm or cold air. Problems with the compressor can also disrupt temperature control. Just like a clogged brush, a faulty compressor cannot properly push refrigerant through the system. Taking a reading of the defrost cycle/supplemental heating and confirming that it is at factory standards is one of the many ways a technician might diagnose a problem with an HVAC unit. The defrost cycle normally runs when the system detects a frost or ice build-up on the outdoor unit and clears it away to prevent the heat pump operation from being hindered. Supplemental heating kicks in when the ambient outside air gets below a certain point and the heat pump can’t pull in heat from the outside air, forcing it to use an auxiliary system. Checking the superheat, which is the degrees above the boiling point of the refrigerant in your HVAC system, is also important. Superheated refrigerants can be pumped by your compressor, so it facilitates the state change that makes your system’s refrigeration cycle work. Inspecting the air entering the outdoor coil is another crucial step. Your HVAC professional will measure the temperature of the air that enters the coil and confirms that it falls within chart values provided by the manufacturer. Carrying out an inspection of the indoor coil for buildup of dirt or debris is like sweeping a dirty floor - it can reveal issues that were previously hidden. If dirty, indoor coils should be cleaned with a non-acidic coil cleaner and thoroughly rinsed. Doing an inspection of the condenser coil for dirt or debris and if necessary, clean it with a non-acidic coil cleaner. Outdoor condenser coils can become quite dirty if there is foliage nearby or the surrounding environment is dusty. To minimize the amount of build-up, you should clean falling leaves, cut grass, and other debris away from the area around the coil and trim the foliage to give at least two feet of clearance for the condenser to have access to adequate airflow. Checking the blower motor function and the belt tension is akin to checking the condition of the door handles in a room - if they're not operating correctly, they will have to be fixed. If there are problems with the motor, weak airflow from the vents might be the result, or no air might be coming through at all. Inspecting the motor function of the outdoor fan is another essential step. Signs that your fan has issues might include it not starting when the AC is turned on, the blade rotating extremely slow, or even a rattling noise coming from the condenser unit when the fan is turned on. Assessing amperage and voltage from the blower motor and condenser fan motor and confirming that they are at factory specifications is another important control measure. If the voltage is too low, the motors will run slower with a lower output. If it is too high, the motors can overheat. Amperage variations can also cause issues and will need to be corrected. Inspecting the function of the condensation pump, which pumps the water produced by your HVAC system, should also be on the checklist. This condensation process usually takes place when the air passes through the cold evaporator coil during cooling. Signs of pump issues include water build-up that pools everywhere. Finally, inspecting the contactor connection and electrical components is an essential step. The contractor controls the flow of electricity to components in your HVAC. It sends voltage to the condenser and outdoor fan motor. When the thermostat calls for cooling, a connection opens between the contractors’ volt side to the side where the compressor and fan motor connect, much like opening the doors to a room to allow the flow of air.Once the thermostat stops signaling for cooling, the contactor opens and all power to the equipment stops. This attention to detail not only ensures the longevity of your appliances but also helps conserve energy costs. The design of this system is a lot like a carefully controlled window in your home, opening and closing in response to the summer heat or the cool of evening.

• Checking suction line temperature and pressures. If the air conditioning has been running for at least 20 minutes, the refrigerant suction line (which returns the refrigerant to the compressor) will feel cool. It's a lot like the feeling of a cool window pane, keeping the harsh sun out and the cool indoors in. With the right blinds, or in this case, the right amount of refrigerant, this window to the world of heat exchange works incredibly efficiently. (If refrigerant levels are too low, the suction line will be covered with heavy frost at the evaporator coil.) At the same time, the high-pressure refrigerant line, which is where refrigerant leaves the compressor to go back to the indoor air handler and evaporator coil, should be hot. Any variations in the expected temperatures can be a sign of a problem.
•  Inspecting service valves to confirm that they are in good working order and sealing properly. These crucial components in your HVAC system, like the small gears in the clock of your home comfort, require regular attention to ensure they're functioning correctly.
•  Following all of the HVAC system wiring and electrical connections and ensuring that everything is correctly placed. Just as in the design a space, every wire and connection has its own place and purpose, contributing to overall function and life span of your system.
•  Inspecting the disconnect box to confirm that all wire sizing is correct and tighten connections if necessary. This box provides an HVAC installer or repair professional with a means of disconnecting power while performing maintenance on an HVAC unit, a bit like turning off appliances that aren't in use for conserving energy costs.
•  Inspecting the metering device, which is responsible for supplying the correct amount of refrigerant to the evaporator coil.
• Just as you visit your doctor or dentist on a yearly basis for a check-up, arranging for an HVAC tune-up is akin to blocking out the harsh sun with well-designed blinds - it's a way of confirming that your central air conditioning system is in good working order and ready to cope with cooling demands once summer hits.

Other advantages of HVAC maintenance during the summer include:

All the points previously listed, with the addition of your air conditioning system providing a comfortable space to enjoy life, free from the unforgiving summer heat. If you still feel like you need extra help or any further AC assistance don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always available to help you! If there are no operational problems, the technician will ensure that the fan belt is tightened and lubricated as needed.

•  Assessing amperage and voltage from the blower motor and condenser fan motor and confirming that they are at factory specifications. If the voltage is too low, the motors will run slower with a lower output. If it is too high, the motors can overheat. Amperage variations can also cause issues and will need to be corrected.
•  Inspecting the function of the condensation pump, which pumps the water produced by your HVAC system. This condensation process usually takes place when the air passes through the cold evaporator coil during cooling. Signs of pump issues include water build-up that pools everywhere.
•  Inspecting the contactor connection and electrical components. The contractor controls the flow of electricity to components in your HVAC. It sends voltage to the condenser and outdoor fan motor. When the thermostat calls for cooling, a connection opens between the contractors’ volt side to the side where the compressor and fan motor connect. Once the thermostat stops signaling for cooling, the contactor opens and all power to the equipment stops.
•  Checking suction line temperature and pressures. If the air conditioning has been running for at least 20 minutes, the refrigerant suction line (which returns the refrigerant to the compressor) will feel cool. (If refrigerant levels are too low, the suction line will be covered with heavy frost at the evaporator coil.) At the same time, the high-pressure refrigerant line, which is where refrigerant leaves the compressor to go back to the indoor air handler and evaporator coil, should be hot. Any variations in the expected temperatures can be a sign of a problem.
•  Inspecting service valves to confirm that they are in good working order and sealing properly.
•  Following all of the HVAC system wiring and electrical connections and ensuring that everything is correctly placed.
•  Inspecting the disconnect box to confirm that all wire sizing is correct and tighten connections if necessary. This box provides an HVAC installer or repair professional with a means of disconnecting power while performing maintenance on an HVAC unit.
•  Inspecting the metering device, which is responsible for supplying the correct amount of refrigerant to the evaporator coil.

Reasons why you should get a regular tune-up

Just as you visit your doctor or dentist on a yearly basis for a check-up, arranging for an HVAC tune-up is a way of confirming that your central air conditioning system is in good working order and ready to cope with cooling demands once summer hits. Other advantages of HVAC maintenance during the summer include:

• You can prevent little issues from escalating into major problems. Your air conditioning system may be running well today, but some issues that may not be readily apparent could cause it to break down tomorrow. During a tune-up, an experienced HVAC technician can detect many of these complications before they have the chance to affect system performance.
• You can save up to 30% on your cooling costs when you arrange for a yearly air conditioner tune-up because the checks and adjustments improve the efficiency of the system operation.
• Your air conditioning system will be able to cool your home consistently. Systems that are not well-maintained often have performance issues such as drastic temperature changes between rooms.
• There will be a reduced need for repairs, as an HVAC technician will catch problems before they can lead to equipment breakdown.
• Indoor air quality will be the best that it can be. During the checkup, all of your air filters will be replaced, making sure that the air circulating through your home is clean.
• Your warranty remains valid. Most HVAC manufacturers require their systems to undergo routine maintenance, so failure to do so can void your warranty and require you to pay for repair costs and parts out of pocket. Yearly air conditioning tune-ups like the one in this blog will help you get the most of your warranty by keeping it valid as long as possible.

It helps to think of your air conditioner like other pieces of equipment that you rely on. Would you skip routine maintenance for your car, such as tire rotation and oil changes? The same approach applies to your air conditioner, which keeps you cool and comfortable when the Nevada summers are at their most scorching. These 21 steps for HVAC maintenance during the summer will support smooth AC system performance for a long time to come. If you still feel like you need extra help or any further AC assistance don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always available to help you!