Your air conditioner, a pretty sophisticated comfort system, relies on several components to cool your home. Each part has its role in the cooling process, but some parts tend to break down more easily than others.
As a homeowner, knowing the parts of an air conditioner unit most prone to breakage can save you time, money, headaches, and discomfort. BVS Home Experts, the go-to contractor for reliable air conditioner repair in Katy, TX, explores the parts of an AC unit most likely to break.
Air Filters
As you probably already know, your AC filters keep debris and dust from entering the interior space. As a result, filters often break down due to dirt and dust buildup. Clogged AC filters restrict airflow, forcing your unit to work harder.
The resulting strain can overheat the unit and damage other parts or components. Check and clean or swap out your air filter to keep things running smoothly. Skipping this easy task can hike your energy bills, lower efficiency, and mess with the quality of air in your home.
Stay on top of filter maintenance to keep your cooling system in top shape. Take a moment at least once a month to check your filters and clean or change them if necessary. Your wallet and comfort will thank you.
Thermostats
Thermostats primarily adjust the air conditioning unit to the desired temperature. That means handling frequent adjustments and temperature readings, which may lead to wear and tear over time. Electrical problems, like dead batteries or faulty wiring, can also mess with your thermostat’s performance.
Sometimes, dirt and dust build up inside the thermostat, causing it to perform poorly and give inaccurate readings. If you have an outdated thermostat, you might have trouble keeping up with a modern system.
So, how do you fix or prevent these problems? Check and clean your thermostat regularly and replace batteries when needed to keep the thermostat working its best.
Ducts
Over time, your duct system collects dust and debris, which restricts airflow and strains your AC components. Temperature changes and pressure fluctuations physically stress the ducts, causing leaks or cracks.
Poor installation or a lack of regular AC maintenance makes things worse with loose joints and degraded seals. Plus, pests like rodents can sneak in and cause more damage or blockages.
To avoid these headaches, schedule regular inspections and cleanings. This helps prevent problems, keeps costly repairs in check, and ensures your AC runs efficiently.
Motors
AC manufacturers build motors to last, but they often succumb to the constant workload of driving the compressor. Over time, the strain can wear out the motor’s components. If the motor’s windings or bearings fall, your cooling system will struggle to cool effectively.
Moreover, dirt and debris can clog the motor, causing it to overheat and eventually break down. Regular motor maintenance, like cleaning and lubricating, can help extend the service life of an AC motor.
However, AC motors remain among the parts of an air conditioner unit and are most likely to break down because of their demanding role.
Coils
The coils in your cooling system, like the evaporator and condenser coils, ensure continuous stress from heat exchange processes. The evaporator coil in the air handler circulates refrigerant, absorbing heat from the indoor air to cool your home. As a result, it cycles through constant temperature changes.
How does that work? An expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coil. As the refrigerant passes through the valve, it undergoes rapid expansion, which lowers its temperature and pressure significantly.
This chilled refrigerant then absorbs heat from the air passing over the evaporator coil, cooling it effectively.
The condenser coil, crucial for pulling heat out of indoor air and releasing it outside, faces harsh outdoor elements like weather, dirt, and debris, which speed up wear and tear.
Both coils need regular maintenance to avoid damage and clogs. Neglecting small issues, like minor leaks or blockages, leads to major problems that compromise your AC’s efficiency and lifespan.
Timely repairs and proactive inspections keep these coils running smoothly and extend your cooling system’s life.
Capacitors
Your AC capacitor stores and releases electrical energy to help start the motor and maintain consistent operation. Over time, frequent use causes capacitors to weaken. The heat from constant electrical flow accelerates wear, leading to insulation leaks or cracks.
These issues disrupt the capacitor’s ability to store charge efficiently, affecting the AC’s performance. Your capacitor may fail suddenly, especially during high-demand periods like summer, when the cooling system runs more frequently.
Schedule regular maintenance checks to spot capacitor issues early, prevent costly breakdowns, and ensure your air conditioner works optimally throughout the year.
Prompt AC Repair and Maintenance in Katy, TX
If you notice anything out of the ordinary with your cooling system, take a moment to review if one of the items above shows signs of breaking down. Prompt repairs can address these issues before they escalate into major problems.
Regular maintenance can also solve and prevent many issues. In fact, routine maintenance might well make the difference between staying cool and comfortable or enduring a hot and muggy Katy, TX, summer.
Trust BVS Home Experts for Top-Tier Cooling Services in Katy, TX
When you need dependable air conditioner services, look to BVS Home Experts. We provide prompt repairs, expert maintenance, and reliable solutions to keep your cooling system running efficiently all summer long.
When you contact us for help, we’ll have an expert at your home in an hour, or we’ll give you $59 off your repair.
Why wait several hours or days for your next appointment when you can call BVS Home Experts? We have a team of experts on call and ready to address your AC issues 24/7.
Now that you know the parts of an air conditioner unit prone to malfunctions, you can take relevant measures to prevent unexpected breakdowns. Need help choosing an AC for your home? Reach out for expert advice and personalized recommendations.
Call BVS Home Experts at 281-391-1510 to get a free quote for AC service in Katy, TX.
