After several months of not being in use, homeowners may run into problems when starting up their air conditioners for the season, which often results in service calls. In today’s post, HVAC Construction, Inc. discusses some of the most common reasons why homeowners call HVAC contractors in the spring.
Dirty condenser. Your HVAC system’s condenser is housed in the outdoor unit, which makes it vulnerable to getting clogged with dust and dirt.
When this happens, the condenser coils can’t release the heat generated by the cooling cycle, which often leads to overheating and unexpected shutdowns. During most service calls, we find dirty condensers to be the most common culprits, and the solution is a thorough cleaning. Following a regular maintenance routine that includes cleaning your outdoor HVAC unit is a good way to avoid such service calls.
Bad contactor switch. The contactor switch, or simply “contactor”, is a switch that works with the capacitor (pictured) to ensure a continuous flow of energy to your HVAC system’s most important components. It receives a low voltage signal that generates a magnetic field, which pulls down a piece of metal that closes the circuit that powers the AC fan and compressor motors. A bad contactor switch can prevent the condenser or air handler from starting up, and will have to be replaced by an HVAC professional.
Faulty thermostat. It’s not uncommon for thermostats to malfunction. Most of the time a thermostat can be fixed by following the troubleshooting steps in its care and maintenance guide, which involves nothing more complicated than performing a factory reset and replacing its batteries. If your thermostat is still malfunctioning after troubleshooting, then it’s time to schedule an appointment with your HVAC technician.
Tripped circuit breaker. Your HVAC system has its own dedicated circuit breaker, and it can be tripped without affecting the rest of the house. Resetting the circuit breaker usually solves the problem, but if it keeps tripping, it will need to be fixed by an HVAC technician.
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To learn more about HVAC Construction jobs, give us a call at (801) 298-4822 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Salt Lake City and surrounding communities in Utah.
