Preparing for Your Big Day

Posted on: 9 July 2015

If you're using a central air conditioning unit that has been in service for years, there may be a buildup of dust and excessive stress that can both clog the system and lead to electrical failure. The ductwork and electrical system need to be checked multiple times during the year to ensure proper working order. If you're noticing weak airflow, consider a few inspection points that can help you get to the core of the issue and to know what to expect from repair professionals.

Duct Cleaning Often Requires Professional Tools

Starting with airflow issues, you should look for any clogs that could be stopping the cool air from moving through. Although home ducts are quite wide, households with lots of debris such as woodworking households that drop shavings or homes with thick carpets may be at increased risk for clogging.

Hover your hands over the vents and feel for any air movement. With the air conditioning turned on, can you feel any air moving? There may be a cold air supply, but if it's only slowly cooling the general area, your home's temperature won't change efficiently; it's a waste of your time and electrical bill.

You can clean out some of the debris at the exit of the ductwork near the vents, but deeper ductwork cleaning is better left to a professional, such as Perry Heating Cooling. Even if you have a basement installation for your ducts, the sheet metal used to form the ducts can be bent or dented fairly easily if you don't remove the ducts properly. You may also be at risk of hazardous object inhalation such as molds or dust mites.

Dirt and debris can also become caked onto the surface of the pipes due to moisture. Scrubbing can help, but if the damage is bad enough you may as well let an air conditioner repair professional install a few replacement ducts. This can also be a challenge if your duct material's manufacturer has changed their process or is no longer in business.

Electrical Failure May Not Be Immediately Obvious

When wiring begins to go bad, the system may not stop completely. Wires that have overheated and become brittle may touch and separate at different times of the day, which can sound like the air conditioning system turning itself on and off to stay at a certain temperature or to save energy.

If you're not in energy saving mode and the air conditioning system seems to be turning off too often, go to the central air unit and remove the outdoor panel. Consult your air conditioning unit's manufacturer for fuse box locations and look for any fuses that may have blown.

Replacing a blown fuse is easy, but it's also an indicator of a bigger problem. Make sure to write down or type the fuse being replaced, then contact an air conditioning repair professional for a proper analysis of the electrical failure.