If your air conditioner breaks during the summer, it can be a real pain – not to mention inconvenient. The summer heat can make it hard to sleep, work, or even just relax. If you’re stuck without air conditioning, there are some things you can do to stay cool and make the most of the situation until you can get a technician out to your home. The experts here at Coastal Home Services have the answers about why an air conditioner may break during the summer and some tips on what to do next.
Why Does an AC Unit Break?
One of the first things you should do if your air conditioner breaks is try to troubleshoot the problem. The most common causes of air conditioner breakage during the summer are overheating and power surges. If your air conditioner is overheating, you can try turning it off for a few hours to let it cool down. If there is a power surge, you may need to reset the circuit breaker. However, there are several other reasons why your air conditioner may break in the middle of summer.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
We know what you may be thinking – it’s the middle of the summer, how could you possibly have frozen evaporator coils? Surprisingly, this is a possibility for your air conditioner even in the dead heat of summer! Your air conditioning unit can actually develop ice on the evaporator coils, causing them to stop working. Frozen evaporator coils on your air conditioning unit, however, typically point to the unit having a different problem. Some of these issues include:
- Malfunctioning thermostat
- Low refrigerant
- Issues with the fan
- Too many ducts or vents that are closed or blocked
- Dirty/clogged filters
Dirty or Clogged Condenser Coils
You will find the condenser coils in the air conditioning’s exterior unit. The purpose of the condenser coil is to take the warm air out of your home. However, these condenser coils will build up dirt, grime, and other debris over time. As a result, the coils will become clogged and cause the unit to work harder until it eventually stops functioning.
Outdated Unit
It’s possible that your air conditioning unit has finally run its course and simply cannot function to the same capacity as it used to. Your HVAC system is expected to last you around 10-15 years. If your system is that old, it may simply have run its course.
However, if it’s not that old, it may need maintenance. When you contact a technician to do maintenance on your AC unit, they are likely to figure out what the problem is at hand. Routine maintenance will prevent issues from arising in your AC unit.
Fixing a Broken AC Unit
The most common causes of air conditioner breakage during the summer are overheating and power surges. If your air conditioner is overheating, you can try turning it off for a few hours to let it cool down. If there is a power surge, you may need to reset the circuit breaker.
If you cannot figure out the problem, or if the air conditioner is not working after trying these things, you will need to call a professional for help.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
If you have frozen evaporator coils in your air conditioning unit, the best thing you can do next is to call a professional. Since there is likely a larger problem at hand and you will want your air conditioner fixed as soon as possible, a professional can diagnose and fix the problem quickly and efficiently.
Dirty/Clogged Condenser Coils
When the condenser coils on your air conditioning are clogged, it will cause the unit to work overtime and eventually overheat. Not only that, but it will reflect on your bills. Luckily, your condenser coils can be cleaned. This will help reduce the wear on the system and help your air conditioner function better.
You will want to disable the breaker that controls the AC unit before you start cleaning. From there, you can remove the condenser covers and the condenser fan. Remove the larger debris from the unit and then use a hand vacuum to remove the smaller unwanted particles. After that, you can spray foam coil cleaner on the inside of the cabinet, and spray everything down with water. Once you reassemble the unit, it should be good to go!
Staying Cool Without Air Conditioning
If you’re stuck without air conditioning, there are some things you can do to stay cool and make the most of the situation. Here are some tips on what to do if your AC unit breaks during the summer.
Stay in the shade as much as possible.- Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Wear light, airy clothing.
- Use fans to circulate air.
- If it is extremely hot, go to an air-conditioned place, such as a library, shopping mall, or movie theater.
- Contact your local HVAC company to send a technician out.
When to Call a Professional
At some point, you may need to call a professional for help with your air conditioner. If you cannot figure out the problem, or if the air conditioner is not working after trying to troubleshoot it yourself, it’s time to call in the experts. A professional will be able to diagnose and fix the problem so that you can have cool air again in no time.
Do not allow yourself to suffer through the heat this summer – contact us here at Coastal Home Services in Morehead City, North Carolina. We are able to assist you in getting your air back up and running.
Coastal Home Services can Fix Your AC
If your air conditioner breaks during the summer, don’t panic! There are some things you can do to stay cool and make the most of the situation. Try troubleshooting the problem yourself first, and if that doesn’t work, call a professional. In the meantime, stay in the shade, drink plenty of fluids, and use fans to circulate air. With these tips, you’ll be able to stay cool until a technician can come fix the problem.
Are you located near the Crystal Coast of North Carolina and have an issue with your air conditioner not working properly? Reach out to Coastal Home Services today! Nobody should have to endure the mid-summer heat without a properly functioning air conditioning system. Our trained technicians are able to fix the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible; this way, you’ll be able to enjoy a cool house again in no time! Fill out the form below or give us a call to let us know what exactly is going on with your air conditioning issues.
