Florida is known for its heat and humidity. Its also know for lacking “real” seasons. December and January come through and the temperatures barley drop into the 60s so we are still relying heavily on our AC units to keep us comfortable year round.

In this type of weather, with constant, heavy use, HVAC units can encounter some common issues.

• Thermostat

As silly as it sounds, if your air conditioning unit is not functioning properly, check your thermostat first. Make sure that the thermostat is on and that the settings are correct. Is it set to “auto” rather than on”. Or maybe the culprit is a family member with a different definition of the perfect temperature than you.

• Needs Coolant

If your air is not blowing cool and the thermostat is set properly, then the culprit may be the coolant level of your system. The level may be low as the result of a leak which needs to be cleaned up as quickly as possible. Freon is a common coolant that has been classified as an Ozone depleting compound and is regulated heavily by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Since 2010, the Freon R22 has begun to be phased out of use but there are still functioning units that were manufactured prior to the change that need servicing. Those still functioning are allowed to be recharged with Freon R22 but non-functioning units must be replaced with a newer model. In addition, Freon can only be purchased and recharged by a licensed technician.

If your coolant levels are low, contact us to have a licensed technician come out to inspect and correct your coolant issue.

• General Maintenance Skipped

Failure to keep up with regular maintenance is one of the major causes of system failure and major repairs. Keeping your outside unit free of debris and changing the air filter  are such regular maintenance tasks.

Air filters should be replaced (or cleaned if you have a reusable filter) ever 1-3 months. For units that are on more often, air is circulated through the filter more causing it to get clogged sooner. When the air is blocked by a clogged up filter, it causes the HVAC system to work harder to try and blow air through your home.

It is also recommended to have your unit inspected at least once a year to ensure that the air conditioning unit is in proper working order. We offer two types of maintenance plans that include two schedule visits during the year, once each in summer and winter. These inspections will check for worn parts like the coils, electrical disconnects, inspection of the fan blade and much more. Our maintenance plans also include discounts in the event that the inspection reveals that repairs are needed.

• Sensor Malfunction

Thermostats use sensors to measure the air temperature of the home, allowig it to communicate with the HVAC unit whether the desired temperature has been reached or not. Sometimes these sensors can be knocked out of place, causing it to malfunction and not properly read the temperature.

If you suspect this to be the case, open the thermostat to reveal the control panel. It should be located near the evaporating coil, but not touching it. If the sensor is touching the coil, readjust the wire holding the sensor. Reassemble the thermostat and try it out to see if your issue is fixed.

• Component Failures

Components like the compressor, fan, condenser, or blower work the heating and cooling functions withing the air conditioning unit. Over time, parts of your unit will wear down and will eventually need replacing. Worn parts are not able to function as efficiently which can result in a noticeable change in how well your unit is cooling or heating. These components are inspected during annual or biannual service calls so be sure to have one scheduled or set up a maintenance plan.

• Drainage Block

Drainage pipes that lead from the unit can become clogged by dirt, leaves, or other debris. If the pipes are unable to drain properly then the water will flow into the drain pan. Once this becomes full, the water will overflow and can cause water damage.

Another issue that surrounds drainage pipes is the opportunity for mold, mildew or algae to grow. This can be unavoidable since they are attracted to moisture but it can be treated by pour vinegar on the affected areas.

Finally, if you do not see the problem clearly or none of these tips helped you to clear your doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us to receive more information about it!

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