Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog

Why Your Air Conditioner Output is Dropping

With the temperature outside rising, now is the worst possible time to have your air conditioner start failing. If your air conditioner output is dropping, there could be a couple of different reasons why. Let’s take a look at why your air conditioner output may be lower than it should be.

Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your air conditioning system, and is responsible for transporting heat out of the home during operation. The air conditioner never consumes the refrigerant. The initial amount of refrigerant the air conditioner receives during installation should be more than enough to last for its entire life. That is, unless a refrigerant leak develops. If a refrigerant leak happens, the system will be drained of the fluid it needs to operate. This causes the output of the system to drop, and eventually results in a breakdown. Look for any fluid that may be dripping from your air conditioner, which might indicate a leak.

Air Handler Issues

The air handler is the part of your air conditioner responsible for circulating air throughout the home during operation. There’s a lot of friction put on the air handler during operation, so the motor is equipped with oiled bearings in order to help it run more smoothly. The bearings wear down over time, causing the friction on the system to increase. If the bearings are not replaced in time, the air handler will overheat and burn itself out. If you hear a grinding sound coming from your air conditioner during operation, it means that you need to have your air handler examined as soon as possible. Bearings are much cheaper to replace than the air handler motor.

Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing offers a full range of air conditioner repair services throughout Chevy Chase, MD. Call today for an appointment.