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8 Common Causes Of An Air Conditioning System Breakdown

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During a hot and muggy Ohio summer, it’s a known fact that you will be running your air conditioner a lot. Air conditioners can be subject to breakdown due to many reasons. If you are experiencing a broken ac in Cincinnati, Columbus, or Dayton, you can count on the team at Logan Services to help get you back up and running.

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But why does an air conditioning system breakdown?

Below we have the most common reasons you might be experiencing an air conditioner breakdown and the home AC repair solutions to go with them. 

1. Dirty HVAC Filter

One of the most common reasons an AC system stops cooling or ‘freezes up’ is due to a dirty air conditioner filter. Most HVAC filters only last about 30 days, and when the system runs longer cycles as it does in the hot summer months, the more frequently the filter may need to be checked/changed – even sooner than 30 days.

To get your cooling system back up and running, you may only need to check and replace the dirty HVAC filter with a clean one.

2. Thermostat Malfunction

Your thermostat controls your HVAC system, and you want to make sure that it’s working correctly so that your heating and cooling equipment are operating properly. To make sure the thermostat for your HVAC system is working correctly, check the batteries (if applicable), and make sure the thermostat is turned on and set to ‘cool’ mode.

If you’ve done all of the above and the air conditioner doesn’t work still, you can contact your local Logan Services office in DaytonColumbus, or Cincinnati, and we can try to help troubleshoot further over the phone.

3. Evaporator Coil Issues

The evaporator coil is located inside your home near the furnace of the HVAC system; it absorbs heat and humidity in the air that is sent outside. The evaporator coil then sends cool air into the house through the duct system. If the evaporator coil is dirty it will not absorb the heat and humidity like it should; this causes the temperature to be uncomfortable in the house.

If you think your evaporator coil needs to be cleaned, you can contact our office to have a technician come out to service it.

4. Dirty AC Condenser Coils

The AC condenser coils are located outside of your home in the air conditioner unit. Because of the location, they can become dirty due to outdoor elements like dirt and seasonal debris. If there is too much dirt build-up on the condenser coils, it will cause higher utility bills.

While the AC condenser coil can be cleaned off with a water hose, in many cases of extreme build-up, they will need to be chemically cleaned by an HVAC service technician.

5. Refrigerant Leaks

Another reason an AC breakdown could occur is due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks out of the system, it will cause indoor temperatures and humidity to rise, causing the home to be uncomfortable. In many cases, a refrigerant leak can be repaired after performing a leak test in order to get your system back up and cooling your home again.

If you are experiencing a ‘no cool’ situation and suspect it could be a refrigerant leak, contact our office for a service call. An expert HVAC technician will come out to look over the system to diagnose and determine whether a refrigerant leak has occurred. If a refrigerant line is needed a repair is needed, you will be quoted for that work; the location of the refrigerant leak and the amount of refrigerant lost will affect the cost of repairs.

6. Clogged Drainage Line

Like the HVAC filter, the drainage line can get clogged with dirt, dust, and lint from the home. If the drain becomes clogged, the drain pan will fill up with water and will leak out, potentially causing damage to the AC system and furnace; the water leaking out could possibly damage anything that is around your system as well.

Depending on the way the drain is ran/connected, you may be able to unclog it; however, if you feel that it’s too hard to reach or you just feel more comfortable with a technician getting it, you can schedule service with our office. We also check it when we come out for a tune-up if you get those seasonal check-ups.

7. Bad Capacitor

The capacitor powers the motors that run the compressor and fan motors in the cooling and heating system. The start capacitor sends a jolt to start the motor. The run capacitor sends a series of jolts to keep the motor running. The air conditioning unit will not run efficiently or sometimes won’t even run at all if the capacitor is weak or bad.

Having a technician out from a residential HVAC company will be the best answer to finding if a capacitor has gone bad and if your cooling equipment needs to be replaced.

8. Burnt Out or Pitted Contactor

When it comes to parts of your HVAC system, a contractor is what supplies the voltage to your compressor and fan motor. If the contactor is burnt or pitted, it becomes difficult for the proper voltage to power the compressor and fan motor, causing the system to not run properly or even run at all.

If this is found to be the root of the air conditioner issue, a Logan Services technician can diagnose a bad contractor and provide you with AC repair to help get your system back up and running again.

MAINTENANCE REMINDER: Regular maintenance on your system will prolong your HVAC system’s life and efficiency-levels and can also help to prevent an untimely AC breakdown.

Let our team of expert HVAC technicians show you the best AC repair solutions for your malfunctioning home cooling equipment. Get started and schedule your service call today by calling 800-564-2611 (option 2) or request an appointment online.

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