Hopefully, the answer to this can be “none,” if you had professional maintenance done before summer began, and took care of any repair needs you had at that time. But even with a tune-up (and especially without), there are some Salt Lake City HVAC repair needs you should watch out for as we inch closer to fall and prepare to turn off our cooling systems until next year.
There are a few repair needs in particular that HVAC technicians see more than others. This is especially true near the end of summer, when your cooling system has been putting in work day in and day out.
Addressing AC Repairs the Right Way
As we stated above, having professional maintenance done on your air conditioner can definitely help fend off repairs, but it’s not a cure-all method. Maintenance can help you avoid the biggest and most sudden repair needs, but some components of your cooling system are put to a lot of use, and therefore wear out as a natural part of operation. But what are these repair needs?
Compressor Troubles: Your air conditioner’s compressor is the heart of the system. It’s tasked with pressurizing the refrigerant so that heat releases outdoors. The compressor has its own motor, and a great deal of electrical wiring. The compressor is one component that works extremely hard, so different problems may develop. For example, you might have a motor issue, or run into an electrical flaw. The compressor is a complex component, and since refrigerant runs through it, only a highly trained HVAC technician should handle it.
Fan Problems: Your cooling system is equipped with two different fans—the evaporator fan (which you probably know as the blower fan) and the condenser fan, in the outside unit. The condenser fan helps pull the heat out of the system while the indoor evaporator fan pushes cool air into your ventilation system. Common problems that can form with these fans include worn belts, motor problems, and loose or bent fan blades.
Refrigerant Leaks: There’s a common misconception among homeowners that refrigerant is something that is supposed to dissipate from the air conditioning system, like gasoline does from a car. However, this isn’t the case. If your cooling system is losing refrigerant, it means you have a leak that needs to be accurately located and repaired. Otherwise, your system can’t effectively and efficiently cool your home.
Thermostat Malfunction: We called the compressor the heart of your air conditioner. Well, the thermostat is the brain. The good news is that thermostat troubles are often the easiest, and least expensive, to repair. It could be that your thermostat’s batteries died (we know this may seem obvious, but go ahead and check—just in case). It could be that you have an older thermostat whose wiring needs an upgrade, or even that you need a new thermostat altogether. Our team will be happy to inspect and determine whatever the problem is.
