AC Not Working? Here are some Common AC Problems in Shreveport

January 30, 2015

While there may be endless reasons why your Shreveport home’s central air conditioner may need to be looked at by a certified contractor, there are a couple of reasons that are quite common. Identifying them may clarify what a technician is saying when they outline the options for fixing the problem. Here are the 5 most common problems that may result in a system’s failure. Review the Top 5 list below and if any of these scenarios exist in your home, please schedule an HVAC inspection.

  1. Faulty wiring

    Shotty, haphazard or uncertified A/C wiring is unsafe and a probable fire hazard. Bad wiring often prevents the system from getting power or can trip the circuit breaker.

  2. Leaking refrigerant

    Refrigerant (more commonly referred to as Freon) is the chemical that cools the air in your air conditioning system. Low refrigerant usually will suggest a leak or problem with the refrigerant system. If your air conditioning system needs to be recharged with refrigerant, 90% of the time that suggests there is a leak. All refrigerant leaks should be located and repaired. For news about the phase out of R-22 refrigerant in the United States, we suggest that you to visit the U.S. EPA website.

  3. Outside fan is not working

    The outside fan is responsible for transferring the heat from your Shreveport home to the outside air. If the fan on the outside unit doesn’t run, proper heat transfer is not taking place and the air conditioning compressor may overheat and trip the safety overload. Worse yet, it may cause internal damage to the compressor.

  4. Outside unit not functional

    This usually indicates a lack of power, contactor problems or even a faulty thermostat.

  5. The coil is frozen

    A frozen coil mainly indicates an issue with the airflow, such as restrictions caused by old air filters or collapsed return air ductwork. Frozen indoor coils could also be derived from low refrigerant.

Best practices suggest that the most convenient way for a Shreveport area homeowner to prevent these common problems is by participating in a preventive maintenance program. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and airflow problems can be discovered during routine maintenance tune-ups. For all these common issues, a professionally qualified, NATE-certified technician can promptly analyze the problem area and make the necessary repairs. Call or contact us today for an evaluation!