It’s that time of year where we’re fielding AC repair calls all day long from around Raleigh-Durham and Chapel Hill. The summer days in North Carolina are long and at times, excruciatingly hot. Sometimes we get calls that there is some cool air blowing, but the air conditioner can’t keep up with the heat. There can be several reasons for this.
Low Refrigerant
Our customers often call with the assumption that refrigerant is needed and in many cases it is.
The cost of adding refrigerant depends on the type of refrigerant that is used by your system. R22 is often referred to as Freon, and typically found in older AC systems as it was discontinued in 2010 (it was deemed a hydro-chloroflorocarbon HCFC that contributes to ozone depletion). Because it is in limited supply, it also tends to be more expensive. Higher quality refrigerant found in most newer models is R-410A, also known as Puron. It is more eco-friendly (a hydro-flurocarbono HFC that doesn’t hurt the ozone layer) and more performance efficient and cost efficient.
If we receive a phone call asking about the price of adding refrigerant to the system, we can provide an estimate; however, a technician needs to evaluate the system to determine the full scope of the repair needed.
Leak in Evaporator Coil or Elsewhere
If you find that you have to call for AC repair every year and a refrigerant top-off is needed, it is likely due to a leak in your evaporator coil or a leak somewhere else in your system.
Leaks often happen in the evaporator coil due to corrosion of its copper tubing from formic acid that develops from interacting with water, copper and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your indoor air.
We always investigate to ensure there is no leak and if we find one, we advise homeowners on the next course of action. Oftentimes, it is more cost effective to replace the coil or the entire unit rather than repair the leak. This is determined by a number of factors, such as the age of your unit.
Zoning System
Sometimes the cooling issue is located to the upper floors of the house, which is particularly common in older homes. A zoning system splits the home into multiple zones that are heated and cooled independently. Instead of one system serving the entire home, the temperature of upstairs and downstairs can be controlled separately and hot or cold air more effectively delivered to each zone. This is accomplished with individual thermostats that communicate to each zone with its own zoning pane and zone dampers that are installed within the ductwork. This not only better controls comfort but also saves energy.
Air Conditioner Can’t Keep Up in Raleigh-Durham and Chapel Hill?
If you need AC repair for your home in the Triangle area we are here to help! One of our experienced technicians will evaluate your system and diagnose the problem. After explaining the issue, he will present you with options to repair your system or provide a quote if more extensive work is recommended. Request an appointment here, or call us at 919-746-4410.
