As summer settles in, take a moment to be grateful for the invention of air conditioning. As of 2019, the global HVAC market was estimated to be worth $240.8 billion, according to Comfy Living. It's a luxury that has improved comfort and air quality in homes and businesses for decades. If something goes wrong with your AC unit, you need to get an HVAC contractor over right away. This article will explain some of the most common causes for AC repair so you can stay vigilant and cool the rest of the summer.

1. Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant is used to remove heat and humidity from the outside air before it's sent into your home or business. The two most common types of refrigerants are Freon and Puron. Without refrigerant, the outside air will not be cool, and your AC unit will be pumping warm and muggy air directly into your home. Most of the time, refrigerant issues are related to a leak in the tubing of your AC unit. You may notice the AC unit runs longer to get to the temperature you set. You can add more refrigerants, but this is a short-term solution. You need to get an AC repair tech to take a look at your unit and identify the source of the leak to properly fix the issue.

2. Faulty Capacitor

The capacitor is a small part of your AC condenser that has an important job. It provides a jolt of energy to the blower motor when the AC unit starts. Over time, the capacitor will start to wane in efficiency due to wear and tear. This will start to affect the blower motor and other parts of your system. A telltale sign that your capacitor is not working is if you don't hear your fan blowing. If you hear a deep buzz, that's the compressor doing its job, but you should also hear a whirring noise from the fan. Call a tech if you notice only one of these sounds.

3. Broken Blower Motor

The blower motor pushes cool air from your condenser into the ducts of your home, which carries the cool air to the different rooms in your house. These motors need proper lubrication and to be free from dirt and debris to do their job effectively. If it isn't well maintained or the capacitor gives out, the stress on the blower motor increases and leads to premature malfunctions. If you hear banging, grinding, or smell burning coming from your air ducts, it's a good sign your blower motor has failed. Call an AC repair service to get it up and running again.

4. Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser coils are located outside the unit where the condenser is exposed to dirt and other debris. If you live in a city with a high rate of pollution, your condenser coils are even worse off. Make sure to clean them off every so often to prevent them from getting caked in grime. Otherwise, you will be left with an inefficient AC unit and increased utility bills.

5. Dirty Air Filters

The air filters in your AC unit help keep the indoor air quality safe. It stops contaminants, small insects, dirt, and allergens from making their way into your home. Like any filter, they need to be cleaned off every now and again to ensure your system isn't working harder than it needs to. You can also completely replace the filter for even better results. If you have filters in your air ducts, it may be easier to get an AC repair technician to handle the job for you.

Like all of your other appliances, maintenance is key to preventing these issues from occurring. Regular maintenance will keep your AC unit humming along for the entire summer. If you need AC installation, repair, or maintenance, you can count on Focus Heating and Cooling. Call today to learn more about the services we can provide to you and your home.