All posts by Frank Douglas

Homeowners should routinely wipe down their air conditioner after each use to prevent unwanted odors and mold. They also should clean their ductwork annually.

Homeowners should ask friends, family members, and coworkers for recommendations regarding AC repair. Choosing AC Repair Encino can save them money.

The thermostat controls your home’s temperature and airflow. Many things can cause it to malfunction or fail to function at all. These include a malfunctioning compressor, blocked airflow, and incorrect temperature settings. In some cases, a simple reset or battery change can fix your problem. If these troubleshooting tips don’t work, it is time to call a professional for a AC repair service.

First, check your room’s temperature against the set temperature on the thermostat. A difference of three degrees or less should be normal, but a difference of more than that indicates there is an issue with the thermostat. Also, make sure that the thermostat is placed in an area with good air circulation and is not near any drafty windows or doors.

If you are still experiencing problems with your thermostat, consult the manual for your model. This may give you specific instructions for resetting or testing the device. Then, make sure that the device is wired properly. Thermostats are usually attached to a circuit breaker with wires that connect the device to other components in your home, such as your air conditioner and furnace. Look at the cover of your thermostat to find the terminals for R (red), W (white) Y and G. Then, carefully examine each one for loose connections or corrosion. If the wiring is not secure, it could result in a failure to operate correctly or even a fire hazard.

A thermostat that constantly loses its programmed settings is a sign of a defective unit. It may have a malfunctioning sensor or bad batteries, and these issues can be difficult to detect without a professional inspection. Thermostats that display a blank or unlighted screen should also be examined.

If you find that the above steps don’t help, you can try resetting the breaker that controls your thermostat and HVAC system. You can also try “jumping” the thermostat by removing it from the wall, detaching the wires, wrapping them together and then turning the breaker back on. If the thermostat then begins to turn on, it is a likely sign that there is an issue with either the breaker or the wiring, and it’s time to call an AC repair service.

The air conditioner’s filters play a vital role in the system’s performance, so it’s essential to change them regularly. Changing the filter can help prevent problems and improve air flow throughout your home. It can also make your HVAC system run more efficiently and reduce energy costs.

When choosing the best ac filter for your home, it’s important to consider MERV ratings. A filter’s MERV rating refers to how effective it is at catching particles and pollutants. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective it will be at capturing smaller particles and pollutants. However, a filter with a high MERV rating can restrict airflow and may not be suitable for older systems.

It’s also important to check the vents in your home and make sure they are open and clean. If the vents are closed or blocked by furniture, it can restrict the flow of air and cause your home to feel uncomfortably cool. This is a problem that can easily be fixed by removing any obstructions in the vents and cleaning them out.

A clogged air filter can restrict the flow of air in the air conditioning system, causing it to overheat and eventually fail. This can be a very costly repair, so it’s essential to change the air filter regularly.

If you have pets, it’s a good idea to get an air filter that’s designed to trap pet dander and odors. One example is the Filtrete Advanced Allergen and Odor Reduction AC Filter. This filter is made of pleated electrostatic filter material and uses baking soda and carbon to eliminate odors and dander.

If you live in an area with a lot of pollution, a filter with a MERV rating of 7 or above is a good option to catch particles and pollutants. It can also be helpful to install a duct cleaning machine in your home to keep the air quality in your home as high as possible.

When the system is running but you hear strange noises or notice that it’s not cooling, a check of your condenser may be in order. Loud banging, squealing or grinding noises are signs that the condenser is struggling to cool down refrigerant effectively and needs to be repaired or replaced. This makes it harder to maintain a proper airflow and can result in higher energy bills, increased cooling costs and even potential damage to the unit itself.

The most common reason that your condenser is malfunctioning is that it has a leak or blockage. Leaks occur due to faulty tubes and seals. These can be expensive to repair and may require the replacement of the entire condenser if significant damage has occurred. This is why it’s important to inspect your condenser regularly and clean it as needed to prevent these issues.

If you can’t find a clear source of the problem, there are some easy tests that can help you determine what the cause is. One simple test involves placing a small charge on the condenser using a digital voltmeter. The first step is to disconnect the negative lead on the meter. Then, place the red lead on the hot connector and the black lead on the metal case of the condenser. The meter should read 0.22 to 0.33 uF. If this doesn’t help, the problem is most likely with the run capacitors which power the coil fans.

The other issue that can be caused by a malfunctioning condenser is the fan relay switch, which controls when the large fan in the condenser turns on and off. It can fail due to debris or a burnt motor and requires a replacement. If you aren’t comfortable with replacing this component, it is best to contact a professional AC company. They will have access to a wide variety of condenser models and can provide valuable insights that can save homeowners money in the long run by guiding them toward options that prioritize energy efficiency and reduce overall operating costs. They can also perform a more comprehensive inspection of the condenser and other components to detect any problems that aren’t obvious to the untrained eye.

The compressor is a major part of your AC system that makes it possible to cool the home. There are a variety of problems that can cause your compressor to stop working, but one of the most common is a refrigerant leak. You can spot a leak by noticing that the air coming out of your vents is warm instead of cool.

Another sign of a compressor problem is the sound it makes when it starts up. If it sounds like it’s vibrating or thrashing around, that’s a bad sign. It may also mean that it’s struggling to start up because it’s overheating or having other electrical issues.

If you hear your compressor make buzzing noises while running, this is a sign of a starter capacitor problem. This component is responsible for sending power to the motor, and it can stop working if one of the wires in it gets shorted out by a voltage surge or by overheating.

You can test the starter capacitor by finding it in your outdoor unit and disconnecting it. Then, use a multimeter to measure its resistance value between the metal terminals on either side. If it’s a high reading, it’s time to replace it.

The compressor can also fail to work if it can’t get enough power from the circuit breaker. This can happen if the breaker is constantly tripping, which means that the compressor is trying to take too much energy from your house’s electrical system.

You can also check the starting capacitor by going outside and turning on the air conditioner. If the fan starts up and buzzing is heard, this is a sign that the compressor starter relay is faulty and needs to be replaced. This is a job that should only be done by a professional, as the starter relay stores very high voltages and can be very dangerous to touch. The good news is that this is usually an inexpensive repair. Other signs of a failing compressor include high electric bills for no apparent reason and lukewarm air coming out of your vents.