Recognizing And Addressing 3 Common Springtime AC Repairs

Make sure to get annual maintenance on your HVAC systems to uphold your warranties.

Recognizing And Addressing 3 Common Springtime AC Repairs

Recognizing And Addressing 3 Common Springtime AC Repairs

23 February 2023
 Categories:
, Blog


If you live in one of the warmer parts of the country, springtime may already be well into the cooling system for your household. In other areas, spring often brings relatively temperate weather, with a handful of days that may require a quick burst of air conditioning. There's no denying the appeal of comfortable weather, but infrequent air conditioning usage can often make problems harder to spot.

Fortunately, you don't have to wait for the depths of summer to discover that something may be amiss with your air conditioner. Recognizing problems earlier in the season can allow you to address them before your system becomes a daily necessity. Watch for these three common springtime AC issues to avoid a costly emergency repair call and hot summer days without AC.

1. Small Refrigerant Leaks

Your AC can't function unless charged with the correct amount of refrigerant. Refrigerant pressure levels allow your air conditioner to move heat between the evaporator and condenser coils, keeping your home cool. While large refrigerant leaks will quickly stop your system from working, small leaks can create more subtle symptoms.

Since lower refrigerant pressure results in a lower temperature at the evaporator coils, a frozen coil is a common symptom of low refrigerant. However, it can take a while for an evaporator to freeze, and it may not be noticeable when your system is only running briefly in the spring. If you do notice your system shutting off too quickly, you may want to contact an HVAC tech before warmer temps arrive.

2. Hard Starting

Your air conditioner's compressor is a bit like the engine in your car. This mechanical device is crucial to move refrigerant throughout the system, but it typically needs some help to get started. Just like your car relies on its starter motor to turn over, your AC's compressor relies on a capacitor to provide the higher current necessary to start pumping.

It's not uncommon for air conditioners to be a little noisy when the compressor runs, but pay attention to what happens when your compressor first turns on. If it appears to be struggling or takes too long to start, that may be a warning sign of a faulty capacitor or another, more serious problem. In either case, it's best to have an expert diagnose the problem while the outside temperatures are still relatively cool.

3. Damaged Condenser Coils

The outdoor portion of your air conditioner is known as the condenser, and its most prominent feature will typically be large, wrap-around coils. These coils allow your air conditioner to dissipate heat from your home into the surrounding environment, and they're also crucial to allowing the system to run efficiently. Dents or damage can reduce system efficiency or cause your AC to stop working.

Unfortunately, winter can be a rough time for your outdoor unit, so it's worth inspecting the coils for any noticeable signs of damage. Many dented or damaged coils may affect your unit's ability to keep your home cool. An ac system repair professional can inspect the unit, determine if the damaged coils are a severe problem, and potentially clean and repair the condenser to restore some efficiency.

About Me
It's More Important Than You Think

I used to routinely get calls from HVAC contractors in my area offering annual maintenance contracts. As soon they would identify themselves, I would quickly say no thank you and hang up. After all, my heating and cooling system was working fine. Why would I spend money on services I clearly didn't need? Boy was I wrong! A few years ago, my AC unit suddenly stopped working. I called my HVAC contractor to have it repaired and assumed that my warranty would pick up the bill. That was until I learned my warranty was voided due to a lack of maintenance. Out of nowhere, my decision to ignore those maintenance calls was about to cost me more than a $1,000. I know there are others out there like me. It is my hope that this site will provide them with the knowledge they need to avoid the mistakes I made.

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