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W.C. Butler Heating and Air Conditioning Blog

Common Air Conditioning Problems and How They Can Be Fixed

Most homeowners would love to avoid air conditioner problems altogether. A great way to do this is by knowing the signs of an AC issue and getting it fixed early before the problem worsens.

We are highlighting the top three reasons that we receive air conditioning repair calls so that you can watch out for the signs. If you do need AC repair in Salem, VA, our team is always here to help. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about the signs of common AC problems and stay ahead of repairs.

Sensors and Connections

Sometimes an AC problem is not actually an AC problem at all. Instead, it is a problem with your thermostat. Your thermostat connects directly to your air conditioner, reading the indoor temp and signaling when your AC needs to turn on for a cooling cycle, and then turn off again when your home temperature has lowered. But if these sensors and connections are not in place, your AC may not work the way it should. 

The good news is, this is usually an easy fix. Our team can troubleshoot your thermostat problems by checking things like calibration, battery charge, and even cleaning out the inside of your thermostat if it is dirty. If none of these solutions work, we can replace your thermostat with a newer model.

Refrigerant Charge

We also get a lot of calls about a lack of cooling. You may feel airflow coming out of your vents, but your home is not cooling down as you expect. When this happens, it is most commonly due to a low refrigerant charge. Keep in mind that your refrigerant levels never go down over the life of your air conditioner, except if there’s a leak. If you do have a refrigerant leak, our team can repair the line, recharge the refrigerant, and get your AC working at its best again.

Airflow

Other times, you may hold your hand up to an air vent and feel cool air, but the air stream is not strong. When this happens, there may be an airflow problem somewhere. You may have poor airflow going into your air conditioner because of a clogged air filter. Air may also be getting lost through holes in your ductwork that are allowing cooled air to escape before ever reaching the walls of your home. 

Another airflow problem is if heat and humidity cannot escape via the outdoor portion of your unit. When this happens, heat and humidity get trapped and released into your home again, negatively impacting how cool your home is able to get. Our team can determine the source of the airflow problem and get it fixed. If it is a problem with your air filter, we may recommend changing your air filter more often or using a different type of filter. 

Drainage

Another reason that the air may be feeling too warm in your home, is if you have a drainage problem. As part of the cooling process, your AC also removes some humidity from the air. The humidity condenses to become droplets of water that drain out through the condensate drain line. If the drain line gets clogged, it may cause a leak. 

But it’s equally possible that water simply backs up into the line and re-releases into your home, making your house more humid than it should be. Higher humidity levels can make your home feel warmer than it really is. Our team can break up the clog and get your drainage line working again. Then we can offer tips for how to prevent clogs in the future.

We can help you make the best choice for AC services. Rely on the experts at W.C. Butler Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule an appointment today.

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