Facility managers face unique problems and situations every day. An estimated 40% of facility managers oversee 20 or more facilities, ensuring there is always something needing repair.
When air conditioner problems occur, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians can find fast and effective solutions. With the right emergency AC repair services, facility executives can protect the comfort and health of the building’s occupants and operations.
(Photo: Adobe Stock/ DC Studio)
Inadequate Cooling
The role of an AC system is to keep a facility cool. If a facility manager notices a lack of air or warm airflow, they may be dealing with low refrigerant levels, dirty filters, or a blocked evaporator coil.
Dirty Air Filters: Dirty air filters can restrict airflow, so less air is able to get into your facility. This reduces cooling efficiency and makes the AC work harder. It can also lead to poor indoor air quality. Fortunately, it is one of the easiest air conditioner problems to fix because the filter simply needs to be cleaned or changed.
Low Refrigerant Levels: Refrigerant leaks can cause low refrigerant levels, which limits the efficacy of an AC. This problem can generally be remedied by fixing any leaks and recharging the refrigerant.
Blocked Evaporator Coil: If cold air stops flowing out of an AC, the issue may be a blocked or dirty evaporator coil. When this happens, the refrigerant can’t properly absorb heat from the air. Other than reducing the system’s cooling capacity, this problem can also cause an AC to freeze.
Unusual Noises
As a facility manager, it’s important to pay attention to unusual noises. These can indicate common air conditioning problems.
Banging or Clanking: These noises can indicate a loose or broken part within your AC. It may also mean the fan blades are out of order.
Hissing or Bubbling: Refrigerant leaks can cause a hissing noise. While bubbling noises can be due to a leak, they can also be from a clogged condensate drain line.
Screeching or Squealing: These noises may reflect a problem with your blower motor.
Clicking or Buzzing: A buzzing or clicking sound may indicate an electrical issue or a faulty component. For example, buzzing noises are commonly heard when there is an electrical problem with the condenser fan motor.
Water Leaks And Moisture Issues
An air conditioning system should never produce water or moisture. If a facility manager notices a water leak or excess moisture, it may indicate one of several common AC problems.
Blocked Drain Line: When the condensate drain line becomes blocked, water backs up into the drain pan. If the pan overflows, facility managers may notice puddles of water and mold growth.
Refrigerant Leaks: A leaky refrigerant can cause the evaporator coil to freeze. Melting ice can cause moisture and water around the indoor section of an AC system.
If these issues aren’t dealt with immediately, they can cause major water damage to a facility. Because water and moisture can develop behind walls, ceilings, and floors, a facility manager might not realize the harm that is happening until it is too late.
Frequent Cycling
Frequent cycling occurs when AC units turn on and off more than they are intended to, preventing them from completing a full cooling cycle. If an air conditioning system is going through frequent cycles, it’s important to get it checked out by a professional.
Thermostat Issues: If the thermostat is broken or set incorrectly, it may cause frequent cycling.
Oversized AC Unit: An oversized AC unit will reach the appropriate temperature too quickly, causing it to turn off before the cooling cycle would normally end. Because this causes more wear on an AC, a facility manager may experience more frequent air conditioning repairs.
Electrical Issues: If there are faulty electrical components or wiring issues, an AC may suffer from frequent cycling.
High Energy Bills
When a facility has high energy bills, it’s a sign the AC isn’t cooling the air properly. For ACs to work effectively, they need routine maintenance on a regular basis. Ideally, an AC system should be checked before summer starts each year. With assistance from HVAC technicians, AC problems can be resolved and future energy bills will be reduced.
If an AC is working fine, and the facility’s energy bills are still sky-high, you may want to consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient AC.
Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant leaks lead to low refrigerant levels. They force AC systems to work harder to achieve the same cooling level. Besides causing higher power bills, leaky refrigerants can harm people and the environment. Refrigerants are hazardous to inhale—always leave the job of recharging the refrigerant and finding leaks to the professionals.
An AC blower motor is responsible for turning the fans that move air through an AC system. When the blower motor isn’t working right, it can’t push as much air through the system. This decreases the amount of airflow that can get into a facility.
If the blower is failing and has loose components, a facility manager may hear a rattling or banging sound. Meanwhile, a squealing or screeching sound may indicate bad bearings. In any case, it’s critical to consult a professional—especially when the blower motor may need to be repaired or replaced.
When To Call For Emergency AC Repair Services
If you notice unusual noises or poor airflow, emergency AC repair services can help. Professional HVAC technicians can find safe, effective solutions to these common problems.
In addition to repair and replacements, it’s critical for facilities to schedule regular check-ups. With preventative maintenance, an AC’s lifespan can be expanded and costly repairs can be prevented.
Facility managers need to act quickly when they notice signs of common air conditioner problems. By acting fast, they can ensure a comfortable environment for their facility’s occupants and avoid potential damage.
Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical can support facilities with heating, air conditioning, and electrical service needs. The company delivers a comprehensive range of services that encompass installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance.
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