Summer Prep with Bonney: Common A/C Issues

With summer now upon us, you’ve probably already started thinking about when you are going to kick on your air conditioning unit. Sure, we have had some sporadic warm days here and there, but we are talking about the time when that AC unit goes on and stays on until those triple digits descend into more tolerable levels.

Something that may not have crossed your mind for summer preparation is the potential issues that your air conditioning unit may face this summer. Did you experience any issues last summer? Maybe your unit held out until the end and you promised yourself to get it looked at next summer. Or is it possible that you noticed your house wasn’t getting as cool as it used to. Maybe you heard your HVAC unit cycling on and off frequently, but it didn’t bother you at the time. These secondary problems are concerns you should take into consideration before the real heat wave hits!

Air Conditioning units work the hardest on the hottest days of the year. These hot days create the biggest load on your system, so that is when you will most likely experience problems or serious breakdowns. Below are some common issues that can arise with your air conditioning unit and what you need to know on repair versus replacement.  

Your HVAC system won’t turn on

Sometimes, you’ll hit the button on your thermostat and you don’t hear that familiar kick on of the system starting up. This could be due to a number of reasons. One of these is that this is the first time you are turning on the AC for the year. Verify that the thermostat is set to the cooling position. Also ensure that your thermostat is not broken. If these two steps check out, the next item to check is that your unit is receiving power. If your unit is receiving power properly, then your next move is to call a certified Bonney HVAC technician.

Your AC unit is blowing warm air

You’re ready for that cool air to start blowing, but all you feel is warm. You wait 15, 20, 30 minutes and still there is no change! One possible reason for this is that your system has dirty air filters. Your AC unit may be producing cold air, but it cannot get through the ductwork to cool your house. If your filters are clean, check the areas surrounding your unit outside and ensure there are no leaves or other obstructions blocking the airflow. Once all the debris is moved away and your unit is still blowing warm air then it may be due to a refrigerant problem. This would be the time to call our professional HVAC technicians because they are licensed to replenish coolant.

Your air conditioning unit cycles frequently

Does your air conditioner turn on and off so frequently that you forget when the last normal cycle was? Your system could have a dirty condenser unit evaporator. Sometimes, you can clean the unit and clear any obstructions that may be blocking the unit, which will allow the system to go back to cycling properly.  Other times, you may have no obstructions but your unit still cycles more than normal. This could be due to an improperly sized unit. If your system is too large for your home then, it will quickly reach what the setting on your thermostat says and then signal to shut off. Once the temperature changes from the setting, the system will kick back on again. Another occurrence of continuous cycling could be that an air register is pointed directly at the thermostat and blowing cool air onto it, tricking the thermostat into “thinking” the house is cooler than it actually is. If you’re having a problem with continuous cycling, call our professional HVAC technicians to see how we can help you.

Your system is making loud noises

Maybe you turned on your system for the first time this season and hear vibration and loud rattling. This could mean that your unit was installed incorrectly or be having major problems and should definitely be looked at by a trained technician. Another sound you may hear is squeaking; this could be due to the air handler in your system. Systems that are older may have belt-driven air handlers and can slip from the motor, which results in the squeaking noise. If this is the case, the first step is to shut down your system and then call a Bonney professional to come and diagnose the situation.

These are some of the most common issues that can occur with your air conditioning unit. Tuning up your system before the real hot temperatures hit will save you from any uncomfortable days and help you avoid future costly repairs. Call our home services experts at Bonney today to get your system running smoothly.

Right now we are offering a $59 heating and air tune up special, find it on our offers page here. Remember; if you ever get another estimate on a new system, be sure to call our skilled technicians at Bonney afterwards for our complimentary second opinion, at no cost to you!