Air Quality & Humidity
Air Quality | Whole Home Dehumidification
February 20, 2018
AC Repair | Freon Leaks
May 7, 2018
Air conditioning technician of preparing to install new air conditioner.

Air conditioning technician servicing of preparing to install new air conditioner

AC Repair | Electronic Control Failures

AC Repair – Electrical Issues

Springtime is a good time to service your HVAC unit, preventative maintenance can help keep your air conditioning system running correctly. Homeowners often overlook electronic components when performing DIY HVAC maintenance. Common whole home heating and cooling system electrical component failures can start with a resistor or capacitor and end with the compressor or fan motors.

Let’s look at some of the most common electrical component failures and what can be done to detect them early, before AC Repair is needed.

AC Capacitor Repair

Capacitors are used to improve the operating characteristics of a single-phase motor such as fans and compressors. They draw a large voltage to get the HVAC system running and up to the desired output. Basically, the capacitor stores electricity ready to feed it to the solenoid. The more the capacitor is used, the quicker it will fail. As it ages, it holds fewer volts and eventually will fail altogether. Replacement of the capacitor will get the HVAC system back up and running.

Air conditioning technician of preparing to install new air conditioner.

AC Solenoid Repair

Solenoids are responsible for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy in the ac system. It helps control the flow of liquid or gas within the system. It can fail in three ways, the valve may not open, may only party close, or may make erratic sounds. These may be caused by power failures, improper maintenance, and loss of pressure, missing components, condensation, or coil failures. It’s important to narrow down the cause as simply replacing the solenoid may not fix the problem.

AC Compressor & Fan Repair

The compressor and fan or blower controls are other electrical components that experience common failure within HVAC systems. These components are outside and use the outdoor air to transfer the heat off of the compressor coils. Some of the common electrical failures you may encounter are: short cycling, the fan can stop working or make loud noises, the blower motor seizes, and the compressor can freeze up or stop working, moisture in the compressor, overcharged or dirty compressor. None of these are easy to repair; you should consult with your local air conditioner service company before attempting these repairs. To prevent these types of electrical component failures, we recommend removing debris and dirt from the outdoor unit and preforming preventative maintenance seasonally.

AC Repair Fan Repair

AC Contactor Repair

The contactor in an HVAC system connects to the main system to the power supply. It is controlled when the thermostat engages, as it ages, the contacts can become pitted, burned, or even welded together causing the air conditioning unit not to turn on, to freeze up or elicit the systems’ emergency shut off. Inspection of this should be part of preventative maintenance. Replacement of the contactor should be performed by your professional HVAC service technician.

AC Circuit Board Repair

Circuit boards essentially run the whole home HVAC system and can be hard to diagnose as electrical component faults. Their wires can become loose, short circuit, or the circuits stop working due to other system faults. Troubleshooting these failures takes specialized equipment and knowledge of the specific HVAC system.

Technical Issues Are No Laughing Matter!

It’s always best to keep up with preventative maintenance on your HVAC System. Call the HVAC professionals at Rainbow Lakes Heating and AC to schedule your consultation today!