When To Call An HVAC Contractor Or Do A DIY HVAC Repair

When the outside temperatures start climbing, air conditioning is a great way to maintain a comfortably cool home. But, what if your central cooling system starts blowing out warm air? What if it’s no longer capable of keeping your entire home cool? These are developments that often mean that your unit is no longer functioning as it should.

The good news is that it’s possible to resolve nearly every issue with your home cooling system. It’s essential, however, to know when you need to start looking for “residential air conditioning contractors near me,” or when the problem is one that you can quickly fix on your own.

HVAC technicians who have the proper training have put in a considerable amount of testing and field work to earn the necessary certifications. Even though many AC problems are repairable, this is a job that a licensed technician should handle. There’s a lot of training and knowledge that’s necessary for becoming a licensed HVAC technician. As such, all you should leave all but the most basic troubleshooting tasks to local HVAC contractors.

Contact Townsend Energy For Trusted HVAC Services

When you need to hire a reputable and reliable company that specializes in HVAC repair, Townsend Energy is the company to connect with. By working with Townsend Energy, you’ll get affordable prices and rapid service. Our HVAC techs can identify and resolve your cooling system problems in no time at all. We offer services throughout Danvers, MA and the surrounding areas. If you’re currently experiencing air conditioning issues in your home, get in touch with Townsend Energy right now to get your free estimate.

Air conditioner problems tend to fall within specific categories. Following are some of the most common issues that people can experience with their home cooling systems. We will also discuss some information for determining whether or not these are DIY repair projects or projects that should only be handled by professional HVAC technicians.

When To Hire A Professional HVAC Repair Service Or Do It Yourself

Options In DIY HVAC Repairs

We’ll start by identifying home HVAC issues that you may be able to fix on your own:

Thermostat Settings

Problems with the thermostat could be why your AC system isn’t working as it should. Start by checking the batteries in your thermostat. You also want to verify that the thermostat isn’t set to “on” or “fan.”
When the “fan” setting is selected, this means that the fan will run continuously and that the unit isn’t set to cool. Set the thermostat to “auto,” and keep it on this setting always. This setting will allow you to keep your home cool in the most energy-efficient way.

Check For A Dirty Air Filter

An air filter that’s clogged and dirty might lie at the heart of your AC troubles. When these filters get dirty, it reduces airflow. Dirty filters can cause AC systems to struggle as they attempt to circulate sufficient amounts of cooled air. This circumstance means that even though you’ve set your thermostat to 75 degrees, it may only be possible for your unit to lower the indoor temperature to 80 degrees.

If a clogged filter is causing your home cooling system to work harder than it should, the evaporator coil can freeze. When this occurs, your air conditioning system will not be able to keep your home cool.

The best way to avoid problems like these is by checking the air filter in your unit regularly. If it looks like it’s getting dirty or clogged, be sure to change the HVAC filter right away.

The Exterior Of The Unit Is Dirty

Air conditioning systems are designed to absorb heat from the nearby air. The condenser and evaporator within your unit move this warm air to the exterior of the building.

The outdoor unit can become clogged with dirt and other forms of debris. When it does, the heat will not be able to dissipate. A dirty outdoor unit will, in turn, cause the system to work harder and to use additional energy. More importantly, your home won’t cool down sufficiently.

You can easily clean the outside of this unit with your garden hose. Just spray the exterior of the machine gently to loosen and flush away dirt and debris. Don’t use a high-pressure setting to blast the system. If the water pressure is too high, you could bend or otherwise damage the fins on your unit. You also need to get rid of any weeds or overgrowth from surrounding foliage so that these things do not block the airflow.

 

Repair Jobs For Professionals

Next, let’s talk about the problems that should be handled by licensed HVAC contractor. Always make sure to search for “residential HVAC contractors near me” and find the best company in your area.

A Broken Or Malfunctioning Condenser Fan Motor

If the fan motor in your unit has failed, your home cooling system will not be able to move heat outdoors efficiently. When this happens, your cooling equipment will no longer have the ability to cool your home the way that you want it to.

Refrigerant Leaks Or A Low Refrigerant Charge

Your AC system uses refrigerant liquid to remove warm air from your home. When this liquid leaks or becomes low, it is no longer able to absorb heat. As such, although your cooling system might be turned on, it won’t be able to cool your home down.

If you hear hissing or bubbling sounds, this may be signs of a refrigerant leak. You might even notice a buildup of ice on the outside of the unit or the actual refrigerant lines.

If you notice that your AC system is capable of keeping your home at a comfortable temperature at night or on mild days, but not on days that are excessively hot, you probably have problems with the refrigerant.

When you notice issues like these, do not continue running your air conditioner. Running your unit while it’s in this condition can result in a damaged compressor. This situation can cause such severe damage to your air conditioner that the system may be rendered irreparable. Turn it off instead, and contact a local HVAC professional right away.

As ever, take the time to look for the “best HVAC contractors near me” and to locate the most reputable and reliable AC company in your region. Be sure to read their HVAC contractor reviews as well, so that you can make an informed hiring decision.

A Damaged Compressor

The very heart of your home cooling system is its compressor. This component is responsible for the circulation of refrigerant, which transfers the inside heat outdoors. If the compressor is damaged or if it isn’t working as it should, your cooling system will not be able to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Compressors are an expensive HVAC system component. If your AC company decides that the compressor needs a replacement, hopefully, you have a system warranty to fall back on. If you don’t, you may need to replace the entire outside unit.

HVAC Contractors Danvers MA

Townsend Energy has the trained technicians for diagnosing and repairing any air conditioning problem that you face.

Our NATE-certified technicians have the experience that’s necessary for accurately diagnosing and resolving your home cooling issues.

When possible, we offer our clients a variety of repair solutions, so that they can choose the options that are best-suited to their budgets and their needs.

We even offer affordable emergency HVAC services that you can use if your AC system won’t turn on at all. We’re always happy to provide free estimates – so be sure to give us a call.

Some of the areas we service include Beverly, Danvers, Middleton, Wenham, these zip codes: 01915, 01923, 01949, 01984, as well as all surrounding areas in Essex County, Massachusetts.

Contact us now at (800) 888-2888 to find out more!