One common complaint in the southeast Texas area is the extreme heat, and this problem can exist for most of the year. The only real solution is a reliable air conditioner, but like all mechanical systems, the AC is subject to failure. For instance, a poorly maintained unit can freeze-up. This usually occurs when the evaporator coil is dirty, or the refrigerant level is too low. Frozen spots in the coil can result in serious failures because they can cause a rupture in the coil or supply line. Regular Air Conditioning Service can help by ensuring that the coil is cleaned when required and that the refrigerant level is adequate.
Air conditioners function by compressing a refrigerant. The compression causes a state change in the chemical that allows the collection of heat. This works because the refrigerant has a lower temperature than the surrounding air and heat is transferred through the coil. The appliance then cools the home by moving air through the chilled coil and into the air ducts that connect the various rooms. This movement also circulates air throughout the home, but it collects dust in the process. This dust tends to enter the air exchanger because most filtration systems cannot keep all of it out. Problems arise because the AC also generates condensation that can mix with the dust. This muck often accumulates on the coil in areas that are difficult to access. Quality Air Conditioning Service can help by removing the coil and cleaning it in an acid bath. This task may need to be performed every few years if the AC is heavily used or the environment is exceptionally dirty.
One reason that service is so important is that the refrigerant that cools the home also carries the lubricant that protects the compressor. Reliable lubrication is necessary because compressing the refrigerant generates heat. Too much heat can cause the condenser to wear out and eventually fail. Condensers are some of the most expensive components on the AC. In fact, the cost of a replacement condenser may be more that the current appliance is worth, which is why many contractors recommend replacing an aging air conditioner. Plus, air conditioners made after 2006 will have to be replaced because newer models use a different refrigerant and they cannot be adapted. Learn more about the benefits of AC maintenance from the experts at Air-Care Southeast Inc.
