Air conditioning is a critical part of your home, but it becomes the star of the show once summer arrives. Unfortunately, it's sometimes a poor financial decision to continue to put money into aging and failing air conditioning systems.
If your home's air conditioning equipment is more than a few years old, you might be wondering the best course of action when AC issues occur. This guide will present you with three common problems faced by air conditioning systems and whether it makes sense to repair the issue or replace your entire system.
1. Failing Start Capacitor
Your air conditioner uses a start capacitor in the same way that your car uses its battery. Engaging the compressor requires a significant jolt of power, which can place a strain on your home's electrical system. If you've ever noticed your lights dimming when your compressor turns on, this initial current draw is the culprit.
The start capacitor stores the energy needed to jump-start your air conditioner's compressor unit. Once engaged, a run capacitor takes over and provides a smooth and steady flow of power to the compressor and condenser blower. When the start capacitor fails, it produces similar symptoms to a failing car battery. Your compressor may struggle to start, or it can fail to engage altogether.
Since your compressor is the pump that keeps refrigerant flowing through the system, you won't be able to enjoy cool and comfortable air without it. Fortunately, start capacitors aren't costly parts, and the labor to replace them is usually minimal. Start capacitors sometimes fail due to extreme heat waves, so they don't necessarily indicate any systemic problem with your home's air conditioner.
A repair is usually the best choice for this issue.
2. Leaky Refrigerant Line Set
Your air conditioner's line set carries refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser, the two core components that work together to keep your home cool. Every part of your air conditioner relies on a specific level of pressure in the system. If your refrigerant pressure is too high or too low, it can reduce your system's cooling efficiency and damage expensive components such as your compressor.
Refrigerant lines can leak for various reasons, including improper installation or corrosion. Unfortunately, detecting a leak can be challenging, and you might not notice a problem until you begin to experience symptoms. These symptoms can include a high level of humidity, insufficient cooling, or short cycling.
Once you suspect a leak, always turn your system off and have an HVAC contractor inspect it as soon as possible. Although refrigerant leaks are rarely dangerous, they can cause premature wear on more expensive components. An experienced HVAC contractor should be able to locate the source of the leak, repair the affected section of plumbing, and recharge your refrigerant levels.
3. Compressor Failure
Your air conditioner's compressor is its most sophisticated, essential, and costly component. Compressors typically fail with age and use, but they should last for the lifetime of the air conditioning system. However, premature failure sometimes occurs due to poor maintenance habits, such as running the system with low refrigerant levels or a severely clogged air filter.
If your system isn't under warranty, the cost to replace a compressor will usually be prohibitive. In some cases, the component and labor costs may exceed the value of your whole condenser unit. Unless the rest of your air conditioner is in excellent shape, a failed compressor usually means that it's time to consider replacing your entire system.
Whether you're facing a minor repair or a whole-system replacement, Dick Kearsley Service Center can get the job done for you reliably and affordably. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for an evaluation or repair.
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