Air conditioners are complex systems that require a perfect combination of pressure, airflow, and temperature to work properly. Because of such complexity, there are many ways your commercial air conditioner can fail along the way. Some problems are easier and less expensive to fix than others.
Following are the 7 biggest causes of commercial air conditioner breakdowns:
1. Faulty Fuse, Circuit Breaker, or Electrical Wiring
If your AC breaks down, it is recommended that you first check your circuit breaker and fuse to make sure that there are no electrical issues present. Turn off your commercial AC and allow it to cool down before resetting the breaker or replacing the fuse. If that doesn’t fix the issue, then there is a possibility that you could have tripped a high-pressure limit switch or your air conditioner could have been improperly wired.
2. Refrigerant Leak
A refrigerant can leak due to many reasons: formaldehyde exposure, formic acid buildup, or natural wear and tear. Over time, acid can build up and burn a hole through the coils or copper tubing of the unit, hence resulting in a change in pressure and leak. If your commercial AC does not reach sufficient pressure level, then it could break down.
3. Frozen Coils
Air conditioners require a path for warm air to travel so that it can reach the cold coils that cool the air. If the path is blocked for some reason, then there is a risk of coils freezing due to a lack of warm air passing over them. That’s why changing air conditioner filter on regular basis is highly recommended.
4. Overtaxed System
Air conditioners have a limited cooling capacity. You may run your AC more often on hot days, which puts additional strain on the unit. This is especially true if your AC is not properly sized for your commercial setting. Overtaxed commercial air conditioners are more likely to break down prematurely, especially in areas such as the blower motor or the compressor.
5. Faulty Thermostat
Your air conditioner works harder than it needs to if the thermostat is not properly calibrated. Thermostats help control the amount of air being circulated within your office. If it is faulty, it can send your unit into overdrive, hence causing it to break down.
6. Moisture and Corrosion
Dirt and moisture inside your AC can lead to corrosion which is not good for the electrical components. When the air conditioner is cooling, moisture should be drained away from its interior through a drain line. However, if your unit is running with ice on its coils or the drain line is clogged, then moisture can collect and start causing severe problems.
7. Poor Maintenance
Poor maintenance is one of the most common causes of air conditioner breakdowns. Like any mechanical system, your commercial AC has several parts that can accumulate dirt or wear out over time. If the unit is not checked and cleaned regularly, these issues can grow in severity and can lead to a complete breakdown of the system. You can prevent most of the causes of air conditioner breakdown by keeping it up to date on its regular maintenance.
Southwest Mechanical is a full-service mechanical contractor that provides services in Los Angeles County for all aspects of commercial property services. We offer a wide range of mechanical services for all projects. Headquartered in Southern California, Southwest’s professional staff and trades people deliver a full range of serves for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, boiler hot water, general contracting, electrical, concrete, roofing, waterproofing, waste management, energy management, and consulting. Contact us for service today at (866) 808-0354!
