The summer heat has officially arrived here in Metro-Atlanta, how has your cooling system been holding up? Air conditioners and heat pumps are crucial to maintaining a cool home throughout the hot, humid months, but when performance starts to dip—so does your comfort. There are many factors that can contribute to your cooling system losing efficiency, some of which can have an easy DIY solution and others require a professional.
Anchor Heating & Air has been helping homeowners from Douglasville to Newnan with their heating and cooling needs since 1971. If you’re experiencing issues with your cooling system, there’s a big chance that we’ve seen the problem before. Here are the most common issues we’ve seen over the years and how to fix them:
1. Musty Smells From Your AC
If you’ve turned on your air conditioner and noticed a musty smell coming from your vents, there’s most likely a moisture issue somewhere in your system. This can be due to multiple factors, including:
- Moisture in your ducts: High humidity levels or improper drainage can cause moisture to build up in your air ducts, leading to musty smells and other issues.
- Moisture in your cooling system: The evaporator coils can collect moisture as they cool the air, which can accumulate and cause problems if it doesn’t drain properly.
- A clogged condensate drain line: The condensate drain line removes excess moisture from the system, but if it becomes clogged with dirt or debris, water can back up and lead to issues.
Solution: To address this issue, we recommend starting with an air filter replacement. HVAC air filters should be changed every 30-60 days to ensure proper airflow and avoid moisture accumulation. If the problem persists, give our team a call for a thorough inspection. We can clean your system and pinpoint the source of the musty smells. In some cases, you might need a whole-home dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels.
2. AC Not Blowing Cool Air
There are several things that could be causing your air conditioner to blow warm air—or no air at all—including:
- A dirty or clogged air filter: Air filters trap dust, dirt, and other particles, but when they become clogged, they restrict airflow and reduce the system’s ability to cool the air effectively.
- A blocked condenser unit: If your AC or heat pump’s outdoor unit is blocked by debris or covered in dirt, it can’t function properly and won’t be able to keep your home cool.
- Low refrigerant levels: Refrigerant is essential for the cooling process, and if levels are low due to a leak or low levels, the system won’t be able to cool the air effectively.
Solution: First, check and replace the air filter. Next, inspect the outdoor condenser unit for leaves, dirt, or other debris and clean it if necessary. If you’re still noticing a performance issue, reach out to the Anchor team for further diagnosis and AC repair.
3. Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant is essential for your home’s cooling system, and a leak can significantly impact your AC’s efficiency and performance. Symptoms of a refrigerant leak include:
- Reduced cooling power: When refrigerant levels are low, your AC can't effectively cool the air, leading to longer run times and higher energy bills.
- Hissing or bubbling noises: These sounds can indicate a refrigerant leak in the system, and are often caused by small holes or cracks in the refrigerant lines.
- Ice formation: Low refrigerant levels can cause the evaporator coils to freeze, reducing the system's ability to cool the air and potentially leading to further damage.
Solution: Refrigerant leaks should always be dealt with by a professional technician, like the HVAC specialists at Anchor Heating & Air, who can identify leaks and ensure your cooling system has an appropriate amount of refrigerant.
4. Lack of Maintenance
Regular AC maintenance is crucial for keeping your cooling system operating at peak performance for as long as possible. Skipping a tune-up can lead to several issues, including:
- Decreased efficiency due to dirty filters and coils: Dirt and debris can accumulate on filters and coils, reducing airflow and the system’s ability to cool effectively.
- Unexpected breakdowns from worn-out components: Over time, parts can wear out and fail if not regularly inspected and replaced as needed.
- Increased energy bills from inefficient operation: A poorly maintained system has to work harder to cool your home, leading to higher energy consumption and costs.
Solution: Your air conditioner should get a tune-up at the start of every cooling season, while heat pumps should get 2 tune-ups per year — one for cooling and another for heating. At Anchor Heating & Air, we make regular maintenance easy with our EZ-Pay Program, which comes with annual tune-ups, discounts on services, and more!