Central air conditioning keeps us cool and removes unwanted humidity from the air. Once you’ve grown accustomed to cool indoor air, you don’t want to go without it. AC breakdowns are inconvenient and uncomfortable. To serve you better, Kotz Heating, Cooling and Plumbing will make every effort to respond quickly when you need an air conditioner repair.
How to Prevent AC Equipment Failure
While Kotz has the experience and trained technicians to repair broken AC systems, there are things homeowners can do to prevent costly breakdowns.
- Keep it clean—Keep the exterior air conditioning condenser clean by rinsing off the cooling fins with a garden hose. Avoid high pressure nozzles as they can damage the fins. Also make sure vegetation is cut back at least three feet to allow for proper air circulation.
- Clean vents & registers—Dirt and dust will always accumulate on these items in your home. Regular cleaning will allow for good airflow. An added bonus is improved indoor air quality.
- Change your filters—Because dirty or blocked filters are the single biggest cause of HVAC failures, CHANGE THEM REGULARLY – every 30 to 90 days is recommended, depending on the type of filter and the environment. If you have multiple pets or live in an area with a lot of exterior dust, like a gravel road or driveway, your filters should be changed more frequently.
- Regular maintenance—Make sure you schedule a tune-up and regular maintenance before the start of every cooling season. The cooling system’s efficiency will increase and you’ll save money on utility costs.
The Most Common Air Conditioning Repairs
Kotz knows even when you’ve been proactive to avoid AC challenges, at some point, you will likely need an air conditioner repair. Some of the most common repair needs we see are:
- Refrigerant leaks—Without the correct amount of refrigerant, an air conditioner won’t be able to cool properly. It’s also important that the refrigerant is “charged” correctly and there are no leaks, both of which affect the ability of the equipment to cool properly. Refrigerants should be handled ONLY by a trained HVAC technician, due to public laws and manufacturers’ recommendations.
- Condensate problems—Overall comfort during the summer months is improved not only because the AC cools the air but also because it removes humidity (water) from the air. The water removed must be transported somewhere else, typically outside by way of a condensate line to a condensate drain. If the condensate line gets blocked, the air conditioner equipment may be damaged or the condensate pan may overflow causing flooding in the area surrounding the indoor air handler.
- Broken compressor fan—The outside compressor is what transfers the heat from your home to the outdoors. When there is a fan problem the heat transfer doesn’t happen efficiently, and your home won’t cool properly. A broken fan can also cause the compressor to overheat which could cause expensive damage.
- Frozen condenser coils—Kotz receives calls for this problem all the time. The most common cause is reduced airflow due to dirty or blocked filters. Sometimes, ice build-up can be caused by low refrigerant levels. Unfortunately, the unit can’t be repaired until it’s thawed out. In most cases, we advise the customer to shut the AC off, so the ice can start melting before the technician is dispatched.
For Quality Without Compromise, Call Kotz Today For Your AC Repair
Air conditioner repairs are most often needed when it’s least convenient. Regardless of the timing, Kotz Heating, Cooling and Plumbing is available 24/7 for emergency repairs, including nights, weekends and holidays. Contact us today for all your ac repair or maintenance needs.
