An air conditioner breaking down in the home is one thing, but it’s an entirely different matter in a commercial setting. Productivity is on the line—you simply can’t afford to leave your customers or employees in the heat!
Pick up the phone to call for repairs right away if you experience one of the following.
1. Odd Noises
Sure, your AC is going to make some noises on a day-to-day basis. The key is to listen for the noise that makes you think, “Did it always do that?” Usually, that’s a sign of trouble. There are too many to name, so we suggest calling a commercial HVAC service in Fort Wayne, IN at the first sign of trouble, but we’ll name at least a few:
- Screaming or Shrieking: A high pitched noise like screaming is most likely the result of leaking refrigerant, which can be a health hazard as well as a detriment to your AC’s life.
- Buzzing: A buzzing noise can have many causes, most of them requiring some kind of maintenance. Debris, loose fan blades, dirty condenser coils, refrigerant leaks, and more.
- Banging or Clanking: These blunt noises are usually caused by broken or loose parts, such as fans. Regardless of the cause, it’s something you need to have checked out immediately.
2. Compressor Failure
Air conditioners, including those used in commercial settings, use refrigerant to remove warm air from the building. This form of heat transference can only occur thanks to the compressor, which pumps the refrigerant through the air conditioner’s coils. Compressor failure means an inoperable system, and the possible causes include:
- Electrical: Faulty wiring or the wrong voltage can burn out the compressor, leading to the need for replacement.
- Refrigerant leak: Even a small leak, known as a pinhole leak, can gradually drain the amount of refrigerant in the system. The lower the levels get, the harder your compressor must work to operate at normal standards, and that could lead to a failure.
- Dirty condenser coil: Condenser coils exist to expel heat from the system. If dirt and dust covers these coils, however, that heat will stay trapped and build up pressure inside the unit, eventually leading to a compressor break down.
3. Frozen Coils
If your evaporator coils can’t absorb heat, it will get way too cold and eventually freeze over. If you pop open the cabinet to inspect the evaporator coil and find it completely caked in ice, you’ll know you have one of the following issues:
- Dirty filter: Air filters are meant to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the AC’s sensitive components. A clogged air filter will prevent the flow of air, and that will make it hard for cool air to leave the system, thus causing it to get too cold.
- Refrigerant leak: As stated earlier, leaks in the system can affect the heat transference process, potentially causing the evaporator coil to get too cool.
- Broken fan: The indoor fan, known as the blower, sends cool air away from the coils and into your home. If the fan is broken, that air has nowhere to go and can lead to freezing.
Contact Collier’s Comfort today for any of your commercial HVAC needs. True Comfort, True Savings.