Swimming Pool Electrical Safety
June 29, 2020Summertime Electrical Woes
July 12, 2020
Its hot! The last thing you need is problems with your air conditioner. If you are experiencing difficulties getting cooled off in your house, there are some things you can check into before calling for help. (Of course, you can call for help at any time if you are not inclined to troubleshoot on your own! Peter is available 24/7.)
Here are some common problems folks have with their air units:
1.) The A/C won’t turn on. This could be something as simple as a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Start simple and check that first (breaker if you have a breaker box, fuse if you have a fuse box). If that’s not it, it could be a thermostat issue or a broken or loose wire. If you aren’t comfortable moving forward with more troubleshooting, call Peter.
2.) Thermostat issues. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, it may not tell the A/C to turn on. Try setting the thermostat to a really cold temp to see if the A/C kicks on. If it doesn’t, it may be time to call Peter and have your thermostat replaced. By the way, a smart thermostat may be the way to go. (Peter Needham is a certified NEST thermostat installer, so ask him about NEST when you call.)
3.) Low Refrigerant. If you notice your house or building is not cooling off as it should with the air on, your coolant could be low. Low refrigerant can be a sign of a leak and you will need a qualified HVAC expert to take a look. Definitely time to call Peter for further troubleshooting.
4.) Condenser problems. The condenser is responsible for discharging the heat removed from the air by releasing it outside of the building. Since it is part of your outdoor unit, it is exposed to dirt that can make it grimy. If the coils are dirty, it will interfere with the efficiency of your unit and make it work harder thus contributing to premature wear and tear.
5.) Evaporator coil. If things are getting warmer instead of cooler, it could be your evaporator coil. The coil contains refrigerant that absorbs heat. When there isn’t proper airflow around the coil, a layer of ice can form. When this happens, you could end up with warm air or no air from your air conditioner supply registers. If dust and dirt have built up around the evaporator coils, which transfer refrigerant to the heat pump, it will cause extra strain as it tries to cool the air and then your evaporator coil could freeze. The coil needs to be cleaned periodically to continue to work properly. If this is your problem, cleaning your coil is an easy fix.
Not a DIYer? No worries! As always, you can call Peter for this or any other problem related to HVAC or electrical. Peter is an expert when it comes to any heating or cooling issues. Don’t stress, call the best! Peter even offers a senior discount of 10% and is available 24/7. Additionally, Peter and his crew are careful and use personal protective equipment when entering your home so you can stay safe.
