Many Portland residents rely on their air conditioners to keep them cool and comfortable all summer long. Modern ACs are sophisticated appliances that deliver strong cooling power and high energy efficiency. There’s a lot that can go wrong with them as well. Let’s explore the common AC issues and what you can do to prevent them.
Excessive Energy Consumption
Cooling your home can be expensive even if everything is running well. If it’s not, your costs can get exorbitant. Schedule an AC tune-up early in spring before you ever need to run the air. There are many reasons for doing this. The most important are the refrigerant system, the condenser pump and coil and the evaporator coil. A technician will verify that the refrigerant pressure is in the optimal range. This will rule out micro-leaks, which will cause your system to run longer and consume more electricity.
During this appointment, your technician will clean the evaporator and condenser coils and lubricate and rebuild the condenser pump. A condenser pump needs annual service to run as efficiently as possible. There is great wear and tear on that pump every season. Both coils need annual service because they build up grime through usage. That grime makes the transfer of heat energy less efficient and causes the system to draw more power.
Ensure that you’re using an appropriate air filter for your system. Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) measures filter efficiency. A MERV 13 or higher filter will trap more allergens to improve air quality. That said, you’d don’t want to exceed what your system supports. You also don’t want it to clog. Inspect the filter each month and replace it as needed. If you have a mini-split with a washable filter, wash it every two weeks.
Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On
The most common reason an AC won’t turn on is a clogged HVAC filter. If the filter restricts airflow too much, it will trip the system. Another cause of this problem is a refrigerant leak, which your technician will rule out with the pressure check. Your technician will also clean and calibrate your thermostat. Dirty and malfunctioning thermostats can cause this problem as well.
A tripped circuit breaker is also a potential cause. You’ve had the condenser pump serviced, so it shouldn’t be the issue. It may be a bad circuit breaker. Reset it once. If it trips again, don’t keep resetting it. Call your technician. You can also check the outside HVAC disconnect switch. Your technician will also service this component during the tune-up. If someone removed it or it became loose, it will disable the system.
Loud Noises
There are three most common causes of loud noises in an AC: the condenser pump, blower and ducts. An aging and poorly maintained condenser pump is prone to hard starting. This may begin as excessive vibration and eventually evolve into a loud pop or bang when the unit kicks on. The rebuild your technician does during your tune-up will prevent this noise.
The blower is part of the air handler. It’s the fan that draws air in and forces it through the system. This fan requires lubrication and has ball bearings. It can also be prone to misalignment and increased fan speed. During seasonal maintenance, your technician will break the blower down and rebuild it. That includes relubricating all moving parts, replacing ball bearings as needed, aligning the fan and adjusting fan speed.
You can also experience rumbling as air moves through your ducts. You may hear it coming through your vents or directly through the ceiling. This usually means that you have failed mounting hardware or worn seals. To avoid this, you’ll need to have your technician perform a video camera inspection. That’s why the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends an annual inspection. Note that duct inspections are not part of standard maintenance. You can often schedule it at the same time, but you’ll need to add it as an additional service.
Improper Cycling
The typical AC should cycle for about 10 to 15 minutes and only two or three times an hour. An AC that turns on and off on a more frequent basis is short cycling. A much more common issue is long cycling. This is where your AC will turn on and run for 20 minutes or more. A tune-up will catch most of the main reasons long cycling occurs, such as a refrigerant leak or an iced-over evaporator coil. You may also want to consider upgrading to a smart thermostat if you don’t have one. An advanced thermostat can help to avoid many cycling issues. It can even optimize your cycling with features like smart setback.
Lack of Cold Air
Another common issue is the air blowing but feeling warm to the touch. Again, a seasonal tune-up is going to be the best way to prevent this problem. A common culprit is once again a clogged filter. If airflow is too weak, the evaporation process will be inefficient. You should also rule out the thermostat. Maybe someone inadvertently set it to heat or fan mode or the unit is malfunctioning. Other issues include a bad compressor, electrical problems or a refrigerant leak.
Unpleasant Smells
A well-functioning AC shouldn’t create any smells at all. During a tune-up, your technician will tighten and test all wiring and electrical components. This should prevent wires from overheating. If you notice metallic or burning plastic smells coming through your vents, that’s a potentially dangerous situation. You should turn off your AC right away and call your technician for assistance.
Another common odor issue with ACs is mustiness. This generally occurs when the AC kicks on and the moving air initially disrupts the dust in the ducts. It may also be due to buildup on the AC components. During your AC tune-up, your technician will clean your equipment. As for the dust and, potentially, mold buildup in your ducts, you’ll need to schedule the aforementioned duct inspection. If the buildup is bad, then you may need professional duct cleaning to prevent that musty odor each time the system turns on.
Excessive Moisture
High humidity typically isn’t an issue during Portland summers. Most people will achieve a comfortable relative humidity (RH) just by running their AC. If you experience elevated moisture, it’s likely because of the AC itself. If there’s weak airflow, the evaporator coil can sweat excessively. There may also be a pool of water in the drip pan because of a clogged condensate drain line. Another benefit of a tune-up is that your technician will clear the drain line, clean the drip pan and test the wet switch.
Local AC Experts in Milwaukie
3 Mountains Home Services has provided our AC expertise to homeowners in Portland, Milwaukie and the surrounding areas since 2000. Our HVAC team also installs, maintains and services heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, furnaces and boilers. We have electricians that install smart thermostats and upgrade electrical panels.
They also rewire whole homes and install EV charging stations. Our plumbers repipe and pipe gas, water and sewer lines. We specialize in excavation, video camera inspections, sump pumps, tank and tankless water heaters and much more. Call us today or contact us online with any questions about these services or to schedule an appointment.
