Prevent Problems with No-Sweat AC Maintenance
Prevent Problems with No-Sweat AC Maintenance
A Northern New Jersey and Middle Hudson Valley summer can be downright gorgeous—right up until the humidity rolls in. If your central air conditioning system isn’t holding up its end of the deal, those warm sunny days can quickly turn sticky and uncomfortable. Dealing with frequent breakdowns or inefficient performance is no way to spend your summer.
Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your central AC running smoothly all season long. But if your cooling system suddenly stops blowing cold air, don’t sweat it just yet—there may be a simple solution. Here are some common reasons your AC might not be cooling properly, and what you can do to fix it.
Dirty Coils
If your system is blowing air, but it’s not cold, dirty coils could be the culprit. Your central AC uses indoor coils to absorb heat and outdoor coils to release it. But a layer of dust or dirt will reduce their efficiency—forcing your system to struggle to cool your home.
We include coil cleaning in our annual maintenance service, but if you’re up for a little DIY, turn off the system, remove the cover, and gently brush off any debris. You can use mild soap and water and a brush or rag for stubborn dirt, then rinse, and let it dry before replacing the cover.
Blocked Condenser Unit
Your outdoor condenser needs space to do its job. If it’s surrounded by overgrown bushes or cluttered with yard debris like leaves and twigs, it won’t be able to release heat properly. That backup of heat will affect the cooling inside your home.
Take a moment to check around the unit. Clear at least two feet in all directions and keep plants trimmed back.
Clogged Air Filter
Are you noticing a trend? When airflow is blocked, cooling suffers. A dirty air filter restricts the air moving across your evaporator coils, preventing proper cooling.
Be sure to clean or replace your filter at least once every season—and more often if you have shedding pets. We replace or clean your filter when we do maintenance, but it’s an easy DIY task.
Compressor Problems
The compressor is the heart of your central air system. It pressurizes the refrigerant and drives the cooling process. If it’s not working correctly, your system can’t remove heat from your home.
Unfortunately, this one’s not something you should try to tackle yourself. Give us a call and we’ll take care of it.
Refrigerant Leak
If your vents are blowing warm air and you see ice forming on the evaporator coils, you may have a refrigerant leak. Minor leaks can happen over time, but ice buildup means it’s a more serious issue.
This calls for professional service—our technicians will locate and repair the leak and make sure your system is charged properly.
Thermostat Settings
It might seem too simple, but check your thermostat settings. If the fan is set to “on,” it will blow air continuously—even when the AC isn’t cooling. That air can feel warm or “room temperature.”
The fix? Set the fan to “auto,” and make sure your system is switched to “cool” mode.
Stay Ahead with a Service Plan
Many air conditioning issues can be prevented with regular maintenance, or handled with a simple fix. But when you need a hand, it pays to have a plan. Our service plans for central air systems include a spring tune-up, so we can catch small problems before they become costly repairs. Plus, you’ll get discounts on service if bigger issues come up.
Don’t wait for a heatwave to find out something’s wrong—schedule your seasonal AC maintenance with Bolkema today! Contact us today for an appointment or to learn more about our service plans.