Q: How long does an air conditioner last?
A: If you keep on top of regular maintenance and don’t run your air conditioner into the ground by making it work too hard (keeping your temperatures too low, leaving the fan on ON instead of AUTO, etc), you can expect to get a good 12 – 15 years out of it.
Q: Why is ice forming on my refrigerant coil?
A: There are a number of things that could cause your coil to ice up. Most commonly, it’s because your filter is dirty. A dirty filter won’t allow proper airflow through your home, and it won’t let condensation that collects on the coil drain off. Since the coil is so cold, this condensation then freezes on the coil. If dirty filters aren’t the problem, you may have the wrong level of refrigerant or a clog in your refrigerant line.
Q: Why is water dripping from my refrigerant coil?
A: If your refrigerant coil is dripping water, it means either the line is improperly charged with refrigerant or it’s improperly insulated. Having the right amount of refrigerant in your coil is critical for maintaining the efficiency and health of your air conditioner. Worse, condensate that forms on your refrigerant coil will eventually freeze, leading to even bigger problems!
Q: Why does my air conditioner make so much noise when it starts up?
A: All air conditioners make noise when they first start – the oil needs to get through the system and the compressor needs a few seconds to get to the right pressure. These noises should only last for a few seconds – if they last any longer than that, you should call Wheat & Sons for an air conditioner inspection!
Q: How do I know when it’s time to replace my AC?
A: Sometimes it’s easy to make the case for air conditioner replacement, and sometimes it’s not. If your air conditioner isn’t in immediate danger of failure, there are a couple of things you should consider when thinking about air conditioner replacement: