It's Getting Hot In Here – 5 Reasons Why Air Conditioners Fail When You Need Them The Most

South Florida has hot summers and warms up with your AC running all the time. With temperatures in the high 90s, the only refuge is a tall cool drink, going for a nice cool swim, or heading indoors for the cool comfort of your air-conditioned South Florida home. Keeping your cool can be pretty hard to do, especially when your air conditioner suddenly stops working.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are many reasons your AC unit can fail. One of the most common problems is improper operation. Don’t make your AC unit work harder than it has to. If your air conditioner is on, be sure that your windows, doors, and shades are closed. Otherwise, the system will stay on much longer than it’s designed to because it’s trying to cool all the fresh warm air.

Some other common reasons AC units fail are equally obvious, these include improper installation, faulty repair work, and inadequate maintenance (see more below). Some problems you may be able to fix on your own, but others will require a visit from a professional South Florida technician... Make sure that any provider you hire to service, repair, or replace your air conditioner in South Florida is licensed and qualified.

In general, air conditioner manufacturers make high-quality equipment. If your South Florida's home air conditioner suddenly stops working, first check the fuses or circuit breakers after letting the unit cool down for five minutes. If it’s a particularly hot day, your central air conditioner’s high-pressure limiter may have tripped due to the unit overworking. If you know where this switch is, be sure to check it as well.

Below are additional common issues with AC systems that you should be aware of.

1. Inadequate maintenance

The most effective way to ensure that your air conditioner in your South Florida home continues to work appropriately is to have it properly maintained, twice a year, by a qualified technician in South Florida. Over time, AC filters and coils collect dust and dirt. Regular cleaning of these important elements keeps your unit running efficiently and can prolong the life of your unit by several years. As they say, AC maintenance doesn’t cost, it pays!

2. Freon leaks

If your air conditioner was not properly charged up at installation, or it leaks, then it may be running low on Freon. Leaks are more common and can be harmful to the environment. You must have a trained technician in South Florida fix the leak, test the repair, and re-charge the system. Your unit’s refrigerant should be charged to the exact specifications of the manufacturer, for the best performance and efficiency.

3. Faulty wiring and electrical issues

Many electrical issues can affect your air conditioner. If your AC unit is not properly sized for your South Florida home, excessive wear and tear can result from the unit turning on and off too frequently. Exposed or corroded wires and terminals can also lead to faulty connections and failure of one or more parts of your unit. A qualified AC technician in South Florida will look for these issues during a service call.

4. Outside fan is not working

A central air conditioning system has an exterior fan that helps transfer hot air from your home to the outside. If this fan does not operate properly, your air conditioner’s compressor can overload and shut down. Potentially, this can permanently damage your compressor and cost you money. Be sure to periodically inspect your exterior fan for debris, sometimes branches and leaves that can be caught in the unit and cause malfunctions. Regular maintenance of your air conditioning system will also ensure your fan operates properly. If you have a second home in SFL, a home watch professional in South Florida should check your property to ensure everything is in working order, when you are not there.

5. Drainage problems

As your air conditioner operates, condensate exits the unit to the exterior of your South Florida home through a drain tube. If this moisture does not drain properly, algae and mold can grow inside and clog the drain, causing elevated humidity, musty odors, and water damage inside your South Florida home. If you discover issues with your AC drain, you can try flushing the tube with water or use a shop vacuum to try to remove any clogs. If the problem persists, be sure to call a local service technician in South Florida.

Nothing is more frustrating than when your air conditioning stops working on a hot summer day. While some problems are easy to fix, others require an experienced expert in South Florida. Above all else, regular maintenance will ensure that your system works properly. At Safe Home Management, we offer twice yearly maintenance programs to keep you cool when you need it most.

Visit our blog page for more maintenance tips for your South Florida home!

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