Central A/C Repair

Central A/C Diagnosis and Repair

When we receive a cooling service call from homeowners looking for help, they mostly report leaking, lack of cool air, or strange sounds coming from their system. These are all common signs that your AC is due for service.

Once we arrive at a customer’s home, we will ask questions about what you’ve been noticing, how long it’s been going on, and the age of your AC. We then go in for inspection. We’ll check all electrical and mechanical components, check the thermostat, and get an accurate diagnosis out of it.

Getting to the core of the problem is critical. When you don’t address the source of the problem, you’re essentially just putting a patch over it; it’s bound to recur. But when you eliminate the source of your problem, you get a healthier and more efficient AC.

Repair vs Replacement discussion points

• System Age: If your AC system is more than 10 years old and experiencing problems, replacement may be most cost-effective.
• Problem Frequency: Is this the first time you’re experiencing problems with your AC? We’ll likely recommend repair.
• Increase Energy Bills: A modern efficient unit can bring down your bills. Or your current system may just need a tune-up.
• Budget Concerns: Repair is typically the most cost-effective option in the short term.

Common HVAC system malfunctions that may require air conditioning repairs include:

• Running constantly / Not keeping up with cooling needs: Every AC system will work a little harder on hotter, more humid days. But if your system seems to run constantly with less than adequate cooling, you may have a problem lurking. An undersized unit will struggle when demand is high. Low refrigerant levels can cause longer and less effective cooling cycles. A dirty air filter, dirty inside evaporator coil or dirty outdoor condensing coil can reduce efficiency and effectiveness as well.
• Repeatedly starting then stopping (short cycling): If your system seems to start and then shut off over and over or won’t turn on all together, you may have a system that was oversized during HVAC installation. Low refrigerant levels or a refrigerant leak can also be hard on AC systems, causing them to run erratically. A clogged or excessively dirty air filter and a frozen or dirty evaporator coil can have the same effect. Cleaning or replacing the air filter may help, but cleaning an evaporator coil requires an air conditioner service call.
• Weak or no airflow: Two-stage or multi-stage cooling systems often run for longer periods of time on a lower fan setting. If your indoor temperature matches the temperature you set on the thermostat, your system is operating normally. However, if you have weak or no airflow, and the temperature continues to rise inside or hot air is coming out when the temperature is set to cool, you may have an issue. This could signal a dirty air filter or an issue with the indoor unit’s blower or fan motor. Try changing or replacing the air filter before contacting a professional.
• Not running at all: Before calling for in-home services or repair, check your thermostat to make sure the system hasn’t been turned off. Then, check your electrical panel to be sure a blown fuse isn’t the culprit, or the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. Also check your air filter for excessive dirt or clogging. If everything checks out, it’s time to call a professional. Most air conditioners include some built-in sensors that can shut down operation under abnormal conditions to help prevent damage to vital (and expensive!) components like the compressor, evaporator coil and condenser coil.
• Unusually high energy bills: During the heat of the summer your system will work harder and more often, so you may see higher electric bills. If your utility bill seems unusually high compared to the previous month’s (or previous year’s bill for the same month), it might be time to investigate. To ensure that your AC unit is energy efficient, check the air filter and outdoor condenser coil for excessive dirt and clogging. If everything checks out, or if you see buildup of ice on the outdoor coil or the copper refrigerant tubing, call an HVAC technician for professional air conditioner repair service.

Peace of mind for you and your family.

Efficient Energy Systems has over 45 years of experience in the HVAC service industry. Fully licensed and insured.