What Causes an AC System to stop working?
- Low Refrigerant 20%
- Defective Thermostat 10%
- Mechanical Complications 50%
- Dirty Air Filters 5%
- Frozen Evaporator Coils 10%
- Blocked Condenser Unit 20%
Stop wasting money on a broken AC System!
An ineffecient AC System can cause your electric bill to skyrocket! This is becuase your system is working extra to try and keep your house cool when it may be low on coolant, have diry filters, clogged drains or leaking ducts. All of these issues will cause your power bill to increase as much as 25%!
Common Air Conditioning Repair Causes
Low Refrigerant
If left unchecked, low refrigerant will eventually freeze your evaporator coils. This creates complications and can damage your AC Unit over time.
Signs your AC Unit is low on refrigerant:
- Your programmed temperature isn’t being reached
- You hear hissing or bubbling noises coming from the AC unit
- Your home won’t cool
- Vents are blowing warm air
- Your electric bill is significantly higher and system runs more than normal
- Ice appears on refrigerant lines around the unit
Brown Mechanical Services will inspect your system and see if what is causing the leak. By far, the most common place for a refrigerant leak to occur in an air conditioner is at the indoor evaporator coil.
Sometimes the leak can be found in the refrigerant lines between your condensor and air handler. No matter where the leak is found our technicians will locate and repair the leak. Once repaired we will ensure the system is charged with refrigerant and your home is cooling as expected.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
There are some steps you can take to help prevent these types of problems:
Sign up for our Maintenance Plan
Avoid these issues by signing up for our maintenance plan, we will inspect all these systems and ensure you stay cool all summer!
- Keep refrigerant full
If you believe your refrigerant may be low call us to have the system inspected
- Keep supply vents open
Closing supply vents can restrict airflow and cause ice to build up
- Checking thermostat failure
Ensure your thermostat is reading correctly and the batteries (if applicable) are good
- Change your air filters
Dirty air filters can restrict airflow and cause ice build up
- Increase fan speed
If possible increase your fan speed to clear the coils of ice
- Inspect the condensate drain
Extra moisture inside of the unit due to clogged drains can cause issues
Thermostat Problems
A defective thermostat can be a simple cause for a lot of problems. If the theromostate is stuck in on-mode, it will constantly send coolant through the condensing unit and overwork your system. A thermostat can also fail to acknowledge and relay your settings, cause an HVAC system to run intermittently on and off, display inaccurate temp readings, or stop working altogether.
If your thermostat is old it may be time to replace it with an upgraded smart thermostat! Our specialists can help with the installation process.
Clogged Condensate Drains
Clogged drain lines can not only cause your AC System to fail to cool your home, but it can cause more significant mold and water damage to your home if left unchecked. Depending on where you air handler is located you could have water leaking into your walls, attic space and electrical systems.
Routine maintenance is the best way to prevent this type of issue, and Brown Mechanical Services offers not only drain cleaning but also routing maintenance so you never have drain issues with your system to worry about.
What Our Customers Say
Leaking Ducts
At Brown Mechanical Services, we utilize the highest grade equipment to fix leaky ducts and tape joints. If you are experiencing uneven airflow from your heating or AC system, unusually high energy bills, or stuffy indoor conditions, give us a call. We will get into attics and crawl spaces to inspect your ductwork for holes, poor insulation, and twisted segments.
Pools of Water Around AC Unit
When water begins pooling around an AC unit, it may be the sign of a larger problem. Common causes for pooling water include a faulty condensation pump or a blocked condensate drain hole. If condensation cannot exit the unit as intended, the water will overflow and leak out. This can lead to mold/mildew and clogging of the AC system.
Dirty Condenser Coils
When dirt, dust household grime accumulate on condenser coils, the ability for heat transfer is significantly reduced, this may cause the evaporator coils to freeze. This reduced heat transfer to outside air will lead to a ineffecient cooling systems.
Since evaporator coils are often sealed and challenging to repair, you will need a skilled technician to help repair them.
Fan Problems
If air is not blowing or your fan is sounding or smelling different than normal call Brown Mechanical Services to inspect.
Give us a call if:
- The fan won’t start of stop
- You hear a loud rattling, humming or buzzing
- Your blades are rotating slowly
- The AC turns off more than normal and the house is not to temperature
Warning Signs of AC Repair Problems
The warning signs that your Air Conditioning system may need ac repair range from the system just not working to strange noises and smells. Don't wait until it breaks to have it serviced!
Humid Indoor Air
Air Conditioning Systems are designed to condition your air and not just cool it. This means in many cases especially in South Florida it pulls moisture out of your air, if you air feel humid it may be a sign of problems!
Strange Noises
Some customers report hearing loud buzzing or shaking noises coming from their system, this can often be a simple loose vent however it can also indicate large issue that can cause costly damage to your system!
Tripped Breaker
A tripped breaker or blown fuse can be an indication that your system is attempting to pull too much energy. In this case Call Brown Mechanical immediately to protect against further damage to your system.
Strange Odor
It is not uncommon to smell a slight odor when turning on your heat for the first time, however a smell of smoke or electrical components can lead to a lot of damage to your system or home. If you notice any strange odors from your system Call Us right away!
Leaking Water
Leaking water from your AC System can cause a lot of damage to your home. If you notice water coming from the area around your system turn off the AC System and call us for an ac repair. A clogged drain line is the likely culprit, but an evaluation of protection systems should also be done!
Frozen Coil
Some homeowners may notice, when changing filters or inspecting their systems, that there is ice building up on the coils. This can be caused by multiple factors, but should be inspected by a technician. If ignored this can result in the AC System no longer functioning or even damage.
Schedule Maintenance, Check-up or Service right here!
Our team is excited to serve you and get your home, office, business or building comfortable and effecient!
Experienced Technicians
With over 30+ years of experience in AC and 10 years as an indoor air quality specialist. Our team is uniquely suited to diagnose, fix and maintain your systems.
Award Winning Service
Named 2022 Favorite AC/Heating Company by Nextdoor© in all of Palm Beach County
Yearly Maintenance
Nobody wants to deal with a broken AC in August. Our yearly maintenance service aims to keep you from those untimely breakdowns by keeping your system running strong!
Our Expertise
- A/C and Heating Systems 90%
- Indoor Air Quality 80%
- Refrigeration 75%
- Smart Cooling Thermostats 60%
FAQs
Why does my AC feel moist or humid?
There are a few reasons you AC might feel uncomfortable or humid. The condensor coils may be dirty and resulting in ineffecient heat transfer, cleaning the coils may help. Also check to see if your evaporator coil is frozen, this will result in the inability to cool and pull moisture from the air. Open doors or poorly sealed windows can overwhelm the system resulting too much moisture to remove. If you cannot detect an issue call Brown Mechanical Services and we will come diagnose and perform an ac repair on your system.
Is my AC Repair covered by warranty?
While every manufacturer’s warranty is different, generally speaking they do share some similarities. First, since manufacturers can’t control how their equipment is installed, you won’t ever see a combined parts and labor warranty that extends for the life of the unit. Typically warranties offered by the manufacturer will only cover parts, and are only honored if a licensed HVAC contractor has determined the part’s failure was caused by a manufacturer defect. This means if your unit isn’t installed correctly, or not serviced by a professional, your warranty can be void.
Additionally, parts warranties typically only cover major elements and do not cover air filters, fan belts, lubrication, electrical wiring or other similar components. Homeowners are expected to assume responsibility for the maintenance of these parts on their own. If the system fails due to lack of upkeep, again, your manufacturer warranty will be void. Certain expert HVAC contractors offer extended parts and labor warranties. When combined with the original manufacturer warranty, homeowners can see a great deal in long-term savings and enjoy many other benefits.
How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality?
The easiest way to improve your indoor air quality is to change your filters monthly with a high quality air filter. At Brown Mechanical Services, we recommend our customers use the Merv 11. The powerful electrostatic charge of this pleated filter captures nearly all pet dander, lint, dust, pollen, debris, mold spores, smoke, and smog from your air. It works up to 30 times more effectively and lasts 3 times longer than ordinary fiberglass filters.
Another great option is to install a UV light filter. We use Apco X by Fresh-Aire made in Jupiter, Florida. This UV light provides a comprehensive air quality solution to:
- Chemical vapors and odors
- Mold, bacteria, viruses, and allergens
- Particulates, dust, pet dander, spores, dust mites etc.
FAQs
When Running My AC, Should the Thermostat Fan Switch Be Set to “On” or “Auto”?
In our area in Jupiter and surrounding Palm Beach County, always keep your thermostat setting on “auto”. The issue with keeping your thermostat on the “on” position is when the thermostat is cooling, it engages the fan to run. Once the thermostat is satisfied, evaporated coil is saturated with moisture & moisture will be reintroduced into air if you have constant air flow. This will cause your house to be humid.
My AC Unit Isn’t Working - What Should I Check Before Calling Brown Mechanical?
Before you call us, check the basics:
- Test the batteries in your thermostat.
- Try turning the entire system off for 10 minutes and then turn back on. We have a lot of power inconsistencies and can cause the condenser to short circuit.
- Check for a tripped breaker or blown fuse.
- Change your air filter.
- Make sure the system is set to cool, and that the setting is at least three degrees below current room temperature.
If one of these five simple problems are not to blame, call Brown Mechanical for a complete cooling system checkup.
My Air Conditioner Runs For A While but Freezes Up, Why?
There are lots of reasons for this, and almost all of them will require help from a professional technician as you will likely need a professional ac repair. Start by making sure your air filter is clean. If the filter was at fault, speed up the thawing process by turning your system off, then turning on the fan only—just make sure you switch the system settings back to normal after. Other possible causes are low refrigerant, a dirty evaporator coil, or a defective blower motor or relay. Our HVAC specialists at Brown Mechanical will be able to diagnose and make recommendations.