Most Common Air Conditioner Problems

Las Vegas summers are sweltering, often reaching highs over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Air conditioners are a necessary staple in the Southwest, cooling down body temperatures, helping conserve liquid water in people’s’ bodies, and providing more comfort than homes or buildings without them. HVAC units (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units) often stop blowing cold air or use increasing amounts of energy over time, requiring regular maintenance to keep them in shape. Most homeowners simply can’t buy new ones, with prices ranging in the thousands of dollars, not to mention HVAC unit and air duct system installation.

AC repairs in Las Vegas require a diagnosis of problems at hand. Here are several common types of air conditioner problems homeowners face. You should be aware of them because dealing with arid, blazing-hot Las Vegas summer months without a working air conditioner is absolutely no fun, not to mention potentially deadly. Let’s get started.

Thermostat Doesn’t Match Room Temperature

Thermostats are integrated into air conditioning systems and inform the HVAC unit of how cold to get, how long to run, and other basic instructions. These devices work by measuring air temperature in their immediate surrounding areas. In theory, air originating in HVAC units should find its way to thermostats, informing the system of how much harder or longer it needs to work. Sometimes, thermostats aren’t accurate.

Sunlight, light from bulbs, and heat from heaters or fireplaces can all interfere with thermostats’ regulation. If any light hits the thermostat or the wall it sits on, consider covering up areas that light streams in from or turning off bulbs that cause heat. If the device isn’t level, improper regulation could occur, which can be fixed by taking apart and installing a new thermostat. Cold or warm air drafts behind the wall the thermostat is mounted on are commonly culprits to blame. This last problem can be fixed by packing the wall full of insulation. Here are some other common issues you can face with your thermostat.

AC Pushes Out Unpleasant Odors

Not everything in life smells as good as roses, tasty foods, and the outdoors. Unpleasant odors can very well be pumped into homes from outside sources, or even those in homes’ crawl spaces. There are many reasons why your air conditioner can smell.

Smells of heat, smoke, or burned plastic usually comes from bad electrical wiring or broken parts. For example, if an HVAC unit’s fan isn’t working, the unit may not keep cool, in turn causing smells of burnt materials. Make sure all parts are working and that electrical wiring has no frays or exposed wires. Mold and mildew are common to blame for bad smells, and often manifest themselves in cool, damp areas. Sometimes it is just a matter of cleaning a dirty evaporator coil. Having the coil professionally cleaned can help reduce odors and increase the dependability of the system.

Dirty Air Filters

Air is filtered through large, flat substrates in HVAC units themselves and inside homes. They should be replaced at least every 60 days. Even though replacing them so often is not required by manufacturers, air filters are cheap and many problems can root from dirty, clogged, outdated filters.

Troves of dust streaming through one’s home is often from not replacing air filters as frequently as they should be. Burning smells can root in dirty air filters. HVAC units not running up to par may indirectly result from bad air filters because dust, debris, and other particulates can find their ways into the inner workings of HVAC units, necessitating repairs and fixes on down the line.

Certain Rooms Getting Colder or Warmer than Others

When some rooms are different temperatures than other rooms for reasons other than direct sunlight or warm light bulbs, faulty air ducts are often to blame. Homeowners can remedy this problem by venturing into areas with air ducts and checking for tears, leaks, and rips in the metallic purveyors of relaxing cold air by manually patching them.

Las Vegas is one of the hottest areas in the United States. The so-called City of Sin is also the largest city in its home state of Nevada, not to mention one of the most popular tourist destinations in America. Situated in the arid Mojave Desert, staying cool in Las Vegas is essential for staying satisfied and in good health. Making note of these common air conditioner problems is likely to help you in the event of HVAC systems failing or not working up to par. Don’t wait till it’s too late! Contact Right Now Air at (702) 362-6161 for emergency air conditioning repair.