Summer heat can be brutal, and a reliable air conditioner is a must during those scorching months. Sometimes, your AC might not be acting its best. Here are some quick fixes for a few common air conditioner problems.

Clogged Filter

Think of your air conditioner filter as a protector for your AC system. It traps dust, dirt and other tiny invaders before they can sneak inside and cause trouble. A clogged filter can block airflow, and this will make your AC work extra hard to push out cool air. This can lead to weak airflow and lukewarm air coming from your vents.

The good news is a clogged filter is something you can easily remedy. Most air conditioner filters need a checkup once a month, especially during the summer when your AC is running most of the time. If you notice weak airflow or suspect a clogged filter, it is time to swap it out for a fresh one.

You may have one of the filters you can simply clean with a vacuum cleaner and put back into action. Disposable filters, on the other hand, should be changed every one to three months.

Dirty or Clogged Coil

Your air conditioner uses two sets of coils to do its job. One coil is indoors (evaporator coil), and the other is outdoors (condenser coil). These coils work together to absorb heat from inside your house and release it outside. These components can sometimes get overwhelmed by dirt, leaves and other debris.

If you notice uneven cooling in different rooms of your house, dirty coils might be blocking airflow. Dirty coils can also make it harder for your AC to produce cool air. In extreme cases, a clogged evaporator coil can even freeze up and shut down your entire system.

With the outdoor condenser coil, shut off your AC, and remove any leaves or other debris that might be blocking the coil fins. These are those thin metal plates that you will see on the outside unit. You can use a gentle spray from your garden hose to clean the fins, but be careful not to bend them.

You need to call a professional HVAC technician for a more complex cleaning job. This is especially true for the indoor evaporator coil. Our technicians possess the knowledge and special tools to clean both coils safely so that your AC can do its job all summer long.

Call in the Cooling Cavalry

Some AC issues call for a professional HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the problem. If your air conditioner makes loud banging, screeching or grinding noises, it may have a mechanical problem that only a professional can fix.

Leaks around your indoor air conditioner are another issue that is best left to an experienced HVAC technician. This could point to a problem with drainage or mean there is a refrigerant leak. A professional can identify the cause and fix it quickly. You also need to schedule annual maintenance to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.

For air conditioning maintenance and repair in Charleston, SC, Call our team at C&C Myers.