Air conditioners are used daily in the heat of the summer in New Orleans, Louisiana, which can lead to basic wear and tear on your A/C system. Eventually, certain parts may need to be cleaned or replaced to keep the unit running properly. The most common air conditioning repair issues are typically fairly easy to diagnose and fix are often relatively low in cost to address. A professional HVAC technician, like those at Forest Air, can help you with many of these problems and show you basic upkeep tasks you can do to help prevent maintenance issues in the future.

Filter: If you’ve done any research of air conditioning problems and repairs, you’re probably aware of air filters. A filter is the one component of your air conditioning that needs the most regular attention from you. If you live in a particularly dusty area (like near a dirt road), then you will want to pay especially close attention to your filter. A dirty filter can clog, which can not only block air flow and make the air conditioner run less efficiently, it can actually cause the AC unit to freeze entirely. Most filters must be changed out or cleaned every 3 months, but manufacturer directions on your filter will specify exactly how long they are intended to last.

Pro Tip: Filters are generally categorized by Microparticle Performance Rating (MPR), the higher the better. While filters with higher MPR’s are more expensive, they also filter out a lot more stuff. If you have anyone in your home with allergies or breathing issues, we’d say its worth the extra investment.

Breaker or Fuse: A professional HVAC technician will have to fix the issue if your problem is a breaker or fuse. The purpose of breakers are essentially to protect the equipment, the wiring, and the house. If the circuit breaker to your indoor or outdoor unit trips, you may reset it. Turn it to the “off” position if it isn’t there already, then back to the “on” position. If the breaker trips a second time, then you should schedule a service call and have a licensed professional come out and take a look.

Coolant Leaks: In order to prevent coolant leaks from becoming a problem, it’s suggested that you have a routine maintenance check done yearly on your system by a professional technician. If your coolant does begin to leak within your air conditioning system it can cause the temperatures to fluctuate significantly due to the unit to cooling properly which creates a very uncomfortable situation in the dead of summer in New Orleans, LA.

Pro Tip: While there is no way to guarantee you won’t have issues with your A/C system, regular maintenance absolutely reduces the likelihood and will help you identify potential issues before they turn into major system failures. In our experience, our customers that do have regular yearly maintenance done never regret it and we doubt you will either.

Drainage: If you ever notice water leaking within or around your air conditioning unit, a blocked drainage line may be to blame. Drainage lines can become clogged with dirt and dust in the same manner that the filter can. It is important to have this problem addressed as soon as possible because water damage can occur and cause significant damage to your system. If you do notice water leaking from your unit, shut off your air conditioner and call a repair representative as soon as possible.

Thermostat: It may seem like a no-brainer, but your thermostat dictates when and how your air conditioner runs. Ensure that your thermostat is turned on and set to the appropriate temperature you desire. The thermostat might also be effected by an outside heat source like a fireplace, oven, or direct sunlight that can cause it to have an incorrect reading. Check out our blog article for everything you need to know about proper thermostat positioning.

Coils: Multiple coils can be to blame for problems within your air conditioning system. Evaporator coils can become corroded, which will cause your system to push warm air into your home instead of cold air. These coils typically only require upkeep every three years. Condenser coils can become dirty, because they are located on the outside of the unit. These coils can be cleaned with water by yourself, unless they have not been cleaned for a prolonged period of time at which point a professional will need to address the issue.

While there are a few things you can do to try to address A/C issues yourself, for the overwhelming majority of them you are going to want a licensed and insured professional to come out and handle the air conditioning repair. The best things you can do prevent air conditioning repairs is to follow simple upkeep techniques like changing filters, cleaning coils, and having yearly maintenance done on your system so they can address any small maintenance issues before they become much larger and more expensive problems.