Three Signs of Faulty AC Pressure Switch in Pine Ridge, FL

Your air conditioner comes equipped with numerous safety features that prevent it from operating under less-than-ideal circumstances. The pressure switch, for example, keeps pressure changes from corrupting essential components or disrupting the refrigerant flow. If you don’t know how to tell if an AC pressure switch is bad, you might miss important signals. 

As industry experts, Fast Air Heating & Cooling is well-equipped to share more about this AC repair in Pine Ridge, FL. Let’s see how a malfunctioning pressure might manifest so that you can book a repair service with our HVAC technicians when you need them. 

What Does Your Pressure Switch Do?

Knowing how air conditioners work precedes how to tell if an AC pressure switch is bad. Your air conditioner circulates refrigerant, which collects and transfers heat out of the building. The refrigerant shifts from liquid to gaseous forms throughout this process. 

For example, refrigerant becomes a high-pressure gas after absorbing heat. This pressure drops after the refrigerant releases the heat outside and turns back into liquid. During this process, the pressure switch instigates shutdowns if it detects the refrigerant’s pressure is too high or low. 

When this all works together, it prevents essential, expensive components from incurring damage or destroying the whole system. So, knowing how to tell if an AC pressure is bad could help you save big on repairs and replacements.

When To Contact HVAC Services in Pine Ridge, Florida

What does a pressure switch malfunction look like to the average homeowner in Pine Ridge, Florida? Our technicians share some tips for faulty AC pressure switch troubleshooting below.

#1 Your Air Conditioner Has Odd Cycling Habits

Is your AC pressure switch stuck? It might send out mixed signals, which will disrupt the messages your machine gets. Sometimes, that results in repetitive AC cycling on and off. 

The average cycle for a healthy air conditioner lasts between ten and 20 minutes. Short cycles only last around five minutes, while long cycles may continue beyond 20 minutes. If you want to know how to tell if an AC pressure switch is bad, time the cycles and report the findings to an HVAC provider like Fast Air Heating & Cooling in Pine Ridge, Florida.

#2 The Air Conditioner Cuts Off Before Completing Cycles

Sometimes, a simple AC pressure switch failure keeps your air conditioner from running at all. A system failure typically develops when the stuck or damaged switch has already affected the compressor’s performance. This could be the problem if you have a short-cycling issue.

HVAC compressors literally compress refrigerant into a liquid form, forcing it to expel heat. This process creates a lot of pressure, which may dangerously increase if other problems arise. The switch stops all operations before issues get to the expensive compressor, but if this doesn’t kick in for some reason, you’ll have significantly raised service costs due to added compressor repairs.

#3 You Can Feel Warm Air Whenever the System Does Cycle

Sometimes, the faulty AC pressure switch symptoms are much more subtle. For example, your air conditioner may not reach the appropriate temperatures. A property owner who knows how to tell if an AC pressure switch is bad will notice their indoor comfort taking a nosedive and know to suspect the pressure switch.

Still, the system’s primary purpose is lowering indoor temperature. If the refrigerant can’t readily offload heat, it also can’t absorb heat from each interior room. You’ll eventually notice your AC not cooling your home or business in Pine Ridge, Florida.

Can You Avoid Pressure Switch Problems?

You can avoid pressure switch problems with proper maintenance. For example, our Pine Ridge crew recommends the following:

1. Inspect for noticeable corrosion on indoor and outdoor units.
2. Clean both units by removing dust layers or organic debris.
3. Protect performance with filter changes (every three months).
4. Book tune-ups in early spring for your technician to wipe down the coils, check refrigerant levels, and address rust issues. 

Professional maintenance is essential to a long-lived air conditioner with minimal repair needs. The ultimate breakdown prevention for the pressure switch, compressor, and other components goes hand in hand with your own proactive efforts. Let’s protect your comfort and indoor air quality!