With the rising temperatures of summer, your air conditioning unit is likely working harder than it has all year—and for longer periods of use. To help inform residents about common breakdowns and service issues, premier air conditioning contractor Total Tech in Caldwell, WV, has put together a guide for some basic HVAC issues. After reading their beginner’s advice for troubleshooting, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what’s happening when a technician visits. 

An Air Conditioning Contractor’s Guide to HVAC Troubleshooting

1. Refrigerant Leak

 In order for the air to cool, it needs to be exposed to a chemical known as refrigerant. If you’ve noticed that your rooms are still warm despite the AC seemingly working, check to see if your vents are blowing cool air; if not, it’s likely a refrigerant issue. While the refrigerant may need to be recharged, it could also be leaking—a technician will investigate to find where the liquid is escaping and plug the hole. 

2. Unresponsive Unit

It’s a familiar situation; you go to turn on your air conditioner and nothing happens. Usually, this type of failure is electrical, and you can first try to reset your circuit breaker. But more often than not, you’re dealing with a blown fuse, and a technician will need to replace one of your unit’s wires.

3. Jammed Condenser 

The condenser, which is the outside unit, is where warm air is received and then cooled. But due to its exposure to the elements, it’s common for the machine to malfunction or jam. There may be detritus stuck in the coils or some of the cooling fins may have become bent. Either way, it’s a delicate operation to take apart the unit, clean the interior, and make any adjustments without causing damage, so it’s best left to a professional air conditioning contractor. 

If you suspect your air conditioning unit is malfunctioning, don’t hesitate to seek help from Total Tech. With over 30 years of experience, their veteran staff has seen every type of HVAC problem and will know how to improve your heat pump’s or AC unit’s performance. To get in touch with a friendly staff member, call (304) 497-3849. Learn more about the air conditioning contractors by visiting their website.