Commonly Overlooked AC Problems After A Storm

Not all damage is obvious during the aftermath of a storm. This is particularly true when it comes to air conditioner units.

If you did not carefully inspect your unit, it might have suffered some sort of impact without you realizing it. Not all damage results in complete stoppage of a unit.

Sometimes the damage is something that remains unnoticed for months. Until one day, the air conditioner quits on you. Here are some commonly overlooked problems that could cause your air conditioner to die completely.

Refrigerant Leaks

While a significant leak would cause the unit to be unable to cool altogether, a small refrigerant leak can go unnoticed for weeks. If you notice that your air conditioner is low in refrigerant or have seen any drips, you may have a leak.

A leak is something that a trained technician should take a look at. Air conditioners have their own refrigerant charge level, and a trained technician can make sure they add or remove exactly the right amount. This will allow your air conditioner to work at its best.

Electrical Issues

Electrical problems are another thing that could have been created during the storms. Corrosion on electrical contacts can easily cause a breakdown in your air conditioner. This is something that you will be unable to fix yourself safely.

During a maintenance service call, technicians will usually check these to make sure they are working correctly. If you happen to notice rusting, corrosion, or (more urgently) sparks coming from your air conditioner’s electrical systems, contact a technician immediately.

Remember that electrical fires are some of the most common in the United States, and the last thing you want is to have survived a storm just to have your house burn down.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Condenser coils ensure proper heat transfer from your home to the outside air. If these become dirty, they become less efficient.

Since they are part of the outdoor unit, a dirty condenser coil is a fairly common problem. Dirt, grime, and other pollutants can stack up and compromise the ability of the unit to do its job. This is something you can generally clean yourself.

As with any other maintenance task, call a professional company if you are not sure what you are doing.

Drainage Issues

The last issue we will touch is drainage issues. If an air conditioner is incorrectly mounted or knocked off its mount, then drainage problems are likely to occur.

Make sure that your air conditioner is appropriately draining, or it may become clogged. This is especially true for Floridians since humidity is sky-high most of the year.

When In Doubt – Get Inspected

If you doubt your unit’s efficiency, do not hesitate to have the unit inspected. Routine maintenance checks and inspections are critical to prolonging the life of your air conditioner and minimizing costs.

This is especially true after major storms when damage you might not notice can take root and go unnoticed until your air conditioner finally decides to quit.

Have you ever had your air conditioner die in summer?