It’s the second half of August, and the end of summer is in sight. But that doesn’t mean we can expect an immediate break from the hot weather. Your air conditioning system is going to need to keep running a big longer. Considering all the work that it’s already done so far this year, now is the time to keep a sharp watch for malfunctions from all the wear and tear of another summer of keeping your home comfortable.

Below we’ve listed some issues that air conditioners often run into during the end of the season:

• Dirty outdoor coils: It’s easy for dust, dirt, and mulch to get into the outside cabinet of the AC and start to leave a grime layer over the coils. This will make the air conditioner much less efficient and may even lead to overheating that will trip a circuit breaker. You can’t clean the coils on your own, since this job requires special foams to avoid damaging the coils. Have HVAC technicians do the job.
• Failed capacitors: Capacitors are essential electrical components that send voltage to the air conditioner’s motors. Exposure to extensive heat can cause capacitors to lose their ability to store electrical charges. When a capacitor fails, a motor will either not start or not be able to keep running. Let professionals replace the capacitor.
• Ice on the indoor coil: This is often a consequence of either too much dust entering the air conditioner, a loss of refrigerant, or a clogged filter—all issues you may see in late summer. Don’t attempt to scrape the ice off the coil, since this won’t solve the underlying problem. Instead, get in touch with us.

Please resist the temptation to let the AC continue to operate with malfunction because it’s close to the end of the summer. Air conditioning problems need prompt repairs or they will worsen, leaving you with a much more expensive repair and possibly a broken air conditioner.

Bud Matthews Services is here for all your air conditioning needs in Durham, NC.