Main Causes of an Air Conditioner Break Down in an Austin Home

Most people take their air conditioners for granted, and make it work hard without every scheduling any maintenance for it. Lack of maintenance takes it toll during the peak time of the summer, and it causes an AC to break down. A broken AC is more common than we think, and many homeowners in Austin will need to find a professional HVAC company to work with when this happens. Many things can go wrong and can cause an AC break down, but in this article, we are discussing the most common culprits behind it. A central air conditioner is a complex system and it requires regular maintenance and upkeep. Follow this article to see what can go wrong with a central air conditioner.
 

Experts suggest that a broken AC issue is avoidable if you maintain your air conditioner regularly, and schedule a seasonal air conditioner cleaning and maintenance session. A licensed and professional HVAC company in Austin will help you keep your central air conditioning system up-to-date and well-maintained. Dirty air filters, and dirty evaporators and condenser coils can lead to an air conditioner break down if ignored for a long time. Therefore, a cleaning and maintenance appointment is important for the efficiency and longevity of an air conditioner. A capacitor is an essential part of a central air conditioner, and when the capacitor stops working; it leads to an AC break down. We must understand the working of a capacitor to evaluate what can go wrong, and how to prevent it.
 

A capacitor is an electric device that stores current in an air conditioner. When we turn on the air conditioner, the capacitor supplies the fan with an extra amount of current to get it started. Once the fan starts running in full speed, the capacitor stops supplying the extra current, therefore, it serves an important function and if it blows out, your air conditioner will stop working. A repair specialist can easily evaluate the causes of a capacitor break down; the common causes are usually a power surge, short-circuiting, overheating, or excessive outdoor temperature and direct sunlight - especially if the AC unit is located on the rooftop. A capacitor of a very old air conditioning unit can also break down due to wear and tear. If your AC is a decade old, it is a good idea to replace it with a new model.
 

Some of the warning signs you should look for include a burning odor or smoke coming out from the capacitor, or cracks and bulging of the capacitor. Make sure to contact an AC technician when you observe any of these warning signs. A blown air conditioner capacitor is a very common issue, and it requires professional help and repair. Being aware of the working of a capacitor is very important, as it will make you identify the faulty signs quickly, and you can call up a professional at the right time, or the overheating can cause your air conditioner to stop working, completely. A broken air conditioner and a blown AC can ruin your summer, and make it very unpleasant for you!

What are the Reasons for AC Breaking Down in the Summer in Austin?

The air conditioning system in our homes is built and designed to help us beat the heat, and to maintain a constant and comfortable temperature inside the house. The summer this year in Austin will be as sizzling as ever, and this can lead to a very common and frustrating issue; air conditioner breakdowns. Soaring temperatures in the summer not only elevate the utility bills as your AC has to work harder, it can also make you pay costly repair bills when the air conditioner breaks down. If you know that your air conditioner went out last year, and you don’t want this to happen again this year, there are a few checks you need to make.
 

The number one check would be to schedule AC maintenance. Ask yourself; have you gone through an AC maintenance and inspection by an HVAC company in Austin yet this year? If you had not scheduled a tune up session, not all is lost, call a local HVAC maintenance company in Austin, and schedule a tune up session for your air conditioner now. Experts suggest that you have to prepare your air conditioner before the summer season gets into full swing to prevent a break down. Preparation means getting professional air conditioner maintenance work done.
 

The other reasons for an AC breaking down include the air conditioner being overheated. If your air conditioner overheats in the summer, or trips the circuit breaker, that means there is a huge strain on the machine that needs to be checked by a professional. Just flipping the circuit switch on won’t do the trick. If the AC is tripping the circuit breaker repeatedly, this is really dangerous. By constant overheating, your AC is likely to break down. The reasons for an AC overheating may include dirty air filters, dirty condenser coils, low levels of refrigerant, or the condenser fan is malfunctioning. All these reasons could cause an AC to draw more amps (electric current) from the circuit, causing the circuit breaker to trip off.
 

Make sure to replace your air conditioner’s air filters once every two or three months also to prevent a break down. There are different types of filters for different types of air conditioners. You should ask your AC technician when and how to replace an air filter, and what air filters to buy.
 

Things to Do When Your AC Breaks Down During a Hot Austin Summer

There is nothing more frustrating than a broken air conditioner in the middle of an Austin summer. An older AC unit is more likely to break down in summer than a newly installed one. Homeowners should know who to call and what to do when their AC unit breaks down or needs repair work. A home without a functioning air conditioner is not safe for children and elderly individuals.
 

The air conditioner unit usually works harder than normal during the peak time of summer, when the temperatures outside are in the 90s. The reason your AC may breakdown is that it is working harder than usual, usually all day, and the other reason could be you haven’t had an AC inspection or any maintenance for quite some time. It is wise to call up a professional HVAC repair company ASAP who can inspect and offer repair and maintenance services for your home. If your AC unit system is decade old, it is a high time to replace it with a new unit.
 

For homeowners in Austin, help is always available when your cooling system breaks down. If you have changed the air filters of your AC, checked the power, and it still isn't working like it should, or trips the circuit breaker repeatedly, you may need a replacement unit or repair work. Summers here can be brutally hot, so be sure to contact a professional air conditioner repair company immediately if you notice any problems.

How Do I Prevent My AC From Breaking Down in Austin?

During the sizzling summer days, your air conditioner is always on and running. This means that you need to do everything you can to prevent it from breaking down on the hottest days of summer. Many homeowners in Austin complain about having a broken AC, and problems usually crop up during this time of year when the unit is working harder than usual. However, there are ways you can prevent these issues from cropping up.
 

There could be many reasons for your AC unit breaking down in the summer. They can overheat due to excessive use, and when these overheat, they usually also trip the circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker is tripping off repeatedly, there is something that needs to be fixed with your cooling system, and you should call up a well-trained and knowledgeable technician in Austin for an AC inspection. A professional HVAC repair company can take care of maintenance, repair, and replacement work for you. 
 

You should check and replace your AC filters - they are are there for a reason - to protect your air conditioner from building up dust and large particles inside the unit that can cause long-term damage. You should also be sure that you call a professional for an inspection and maintenance in case you notice any odd noises, smells, or if the unit is leaking around the base. Also, if the thermostat is set to a certain temperature, but it feels much warmer in your home, this could be an indication that something is not working as it should.