Why does my AC stop cooling in a Florida summer?
Air conditioners in Spring Hill work hard for much of the year. Long run times and humid air bring a familiar set of problems.
- Frozen evaporator coil. Often caused by a dirty filter, weak airflow or low refrigerant. Ice on the indoor coil blocks air, and the house warms up.
- Clogged condensate drain. Humidity produces a lot of water. Algae can plug the drain line, and many systems shut off or leak when it backs up.
- Failed capacitor or contactor. These small electrical parts wear out in the heat and are a common reason the outdoor fan or compressor will not start.
- Refrigerant leak. Low refrigerant means weak cooling. Adding more without finding the leak only delays the next failure.
- Storm damage. Summer thunderstorms bring lightning and power surges that can damage the control board, compressor or thermostat.
- Coastal wear. Homes closer to the Gulf, such as near Hernando Beach and Weeki Wachee, may see outdoor coils wear faster because of salt in the air.
Many of these cost less to fix when caught early. Warm air from the vents, ice on the pipes, water near the air handler and a unit that clicks but will not start are all worth a call.
