Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling as Well as It Should

It can be very frustrating to have your air conditioner output drop on a hot day, when you’re relying on it to keep your home cool. There are a number of different causes for this kind of thing, all of which require professional repair. Still, it helps to know some of the reasons why this drop in output might occur. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this happens, so that you can keep an eye out for the signs.

Low Refrigerant

Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to absorb heat inside your home and release it outside. The refrigerant is not consumed during the process, but is recycled instead. A leak in the refrigerant line will drain the system of refrigerant it needs to operate, causing a decrease in the air conditioner’s ability to absorb heat.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is the part that evaporates refrigerant to absorb heat. It is protected by an air filter, which prevents dust and debris from causing the coil to get dirty. If the air filter is not cleaned often enough, however, it can cut off the air flow to the coil. This will cause the coil to freeze over, which prevents it from absorbing heat properly.

Broken Air Handler Motor

If your air conditioner isn’t blowing any air at all, you probably have an air handler problem. The air handler is the part that circulates air throughout your home. It is equipped with lubricated bearings, which lessen the friction on it while the motor is running. If the bearings wear out, though, the friction on the motor will increase until it burns itself out. If this happens, the whole air handler motor will need to be replaced.

If your air conditioner is acting up, call Saddleback Plumbing. We repair air conditioners throughout Orange County, CA.