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Serving The Greater Fresno Area Since 1970

Serving The Greater Fresno Area Since 1970

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Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog

A/C Problems You’re Likely to Encounter, and How to Fix Them

A/C Problems You're Likely to Encounter, and How to Fix ThemCooling season in Fresno can take quite a toll on your air conditioner. Midsummer breakdowns are often costly and inconvenient. These common A/C problems can be effectively prevented by scheduling your annual air conditioner tune-up with a qualified HVAC professional before the summertime heat requires heavy use of your system. 

Drainage problems. Preventive maintenance includes flushing your condensate drain, which is essential for preventing water from backing up during more humid weather. If your condensate drain becomes clogged, use a wet/dry vacuum or a plumber’s snake to resolve it.

Refrigerant leaks. If your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly, a refrigerant leak could be the culprit. A certified HVAC technician will need to detect the leak, fix it, test the repair and top off your system with the exact amount of refrigerant called for by the manufacturer’s specifications.

Electric control failure: During the cooling season, heavy air conditioner use can cause wires and terminals to corrode over time, and electrical connections may become loose. A tune-up will include tightening electrical connections and inspecting the electrical components of your system for damage and corrosion, as well as applying nonconductive coating to prevent common problems.

Dust buildup: Over time, dust enters your system and can coat the motor, fan and coils, causing these essential components to fail. Preventive maintenance includes removing dust buildup from your system. You can help prevent buildup inside your A/C by hosing down your outdoor unit every month to remove dirt and debris, vacuum the area around your air conditioner regularly, and check your air filter each month and replace it when you can no longer see through it.

Sensor problems (for room A/Cs): The sensor in your room air conditioner may become knocked out of place, causing erratic cycling. Bend the sensor, located behind the control panel, back into place. It should be near the coil but not touching it.

For more expert advice about how a professional tune-up can prevent these common A/C problems, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning, keeping Fresno area residents comfortable year-round for 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about A/C problems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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