With many years of serving Florida homeowners and businesses, Bold City Heating & Air technicians have diagnosed countless air conditioning issues caused by the state’s sweltering humid climate. Long summer heat waves strain systems working overtime. Meanwhile, coastal salt air corrodes components and heavy rainfall stresses connections vulnerable to leakage. Here are some of the most common breakdowns we repair annually.
1. Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant leaks often occur as air conditioning systems endure the harsh outdoor summer temperatures. When this happens, the system’s ability to absorb heat diminishes. Compressors work hard to pump gas through exterior coils, lines, and valves, enduring extreme pressures that gradually deteriorate seals. Over time, tiny holes develop, leading to the discharge of refrigerant until the units can no longer cool effectively. The loss of gas also leads to a decline in performance, shortening the lifespan of your HVAC system and putting added strain on weakened components. Our technicians can locate and seal all breaches.
2. Drain Line Clogs
Condensate drain lines are designed to channel accumulated moisture away. However, the high humidity in Florida provides the perfect conditions for extensive algae and bacteria to flourish inside these stagnant lines. As a result, biological clogs form and obstruct the flow of outgoing moisture. Eventually, backups occur, leading to spills from plugged termination points. Standing water also increases the likelihood of rust and corrosion while promoting the intrusion of hazardous mold, which can contaminate interior air quality. Our technicians can provide line cleans and pan scrubbing to provide relief.
3. Frozen Evaporator Coils
Clogged HVAC filters seem innocuous initially. But as airflow volumes lower due to dirt-entrapped filters, reduced velocity across critical evaporator coils hampers heat transfer capabilities. Hot gases cannot properly absorb and discharge heat. Iced-over coils become likely once temperatures drop below 32 °F. Fan failures, electrical shorts, and physical damage to neighboring parts arise until ice blockages melt or technicians intervene with professional defrosting.
4. Short Cycling
Short cycling occurs when overburdened cooling systems cannot manage indoor heat loads. Premature automatic shutoffs happen before interiors reach target temperatures. This continual stop/start of components wears down compressors faster. In addition, you will experience increased energy costs from repeat ignition attempts as you try to battle this short cycling issue. Short cycling is typically related to low refrigerant, dirty filters/coils, leaky ducts, or improperly sized AC units.
5. Low System Charge/Coolant Loss
In Florida, heat waves make things worse by reducing the important gas levels in your HVAC system. This happens because tiny particles in the air wear away at seals and tiny gaps in the system. When the gas levels drop, your air conditioner can’t cool your home as well. The compressor must then work harder to try to cool things down, but it doesn’t have enough gas to do the job properly. So, the air conditioner keeps running longer than it should. Eventually, this can cause damage to the coils. Adding more gas before the summer hits can help your air conditioner last longer.
6. Damaged Thermostat Sensors
Whether positioned outdoors or in interior ducts, thermostat sensors face year-round exposure to humidity, storms, and electricity spikes. If there is too much dust on the sensors or moisture corrodes the circuit contacts, the calibration becomes inaccurate. Units then lack awareness of real-time temperatures. Our technicians can fix malfunctioning sensors.
7. Compressor Support Spring Failures
Central air conditioning units have large compressor components mounted on metal coiled springs. These springs allow for a bit of movement as the heavy-duty parts work under high pressure using electromagnetic cycles. Over time, the springs can crack due to the extreme seasonal demands. If the supports aren’t right, the vibrations from the compressor can cause leaks in the seals of the refrigerant pump pistons, leading to failures. Replacing the springs fixes this issue.
8. Clogged or Dirty Air Filters
During seasons with high pollen counts, along with the usual pet dander and household dust, air conditioner filters tend to get clogged. When these filters aren’t changed as recommended, they fill up with debris, blocking the flow of cooled air. As a result, air backs up behind the filters, unable to pass through the dense buildup. This congestion in the ducts works against the cooling process, leading to higher energy bills and putting strain on the fans. The best solution is to change air filters every two to three months.
9. Drain Pan Rust Accumulation
Condensate drain pans collect large amounts of moisture drained from damp evaporator coils and direct it outward through connected pipes. In Florida, the high humidity and minerals from rainstorms accelerate rust corrosion on the pan’s surface. Ongoing erosion can puncture the pans completely.
10. Electrical Control Board Damage
The control boards inside HVAC units manage all electrical sequencing, directing how your HVAC system operates. In a state like Florida, where lightning strikes and power surges are common, internal components of the control board are often affected to some extent over time. Fan relays, speed controls, and sensors can get damaged. Replacing these components helps restore the automated functions of the system.
11. Mold Growth Inside Ductwork
While ducts are primarily meant to carry dry, cooled air, long sections of ducting can become moist environments, fostering mold growth. Once mold starts growing in the ductwork, airborne spores can cause allergic reactions or illness when circulated. To address mold or mildew growth, our technicians will need to clean or replace your ducts.
12. Rodent Nesting Around External HVAC Units
The closed-off spaces around exterior AC equipment, electrical wiring, and flexible insulation provide attractive shelters for rodents seeking nesting spots. Once inside, rodents can disrupt fan operation by shedding debris. They can cause even more damage by chewing on components or power cords. Responsible pest-proofing steps will protect your vulnerable HVAC assets.
13. Hurricane Damage to Roof Mounts
Roof-mounted AC units, which are common in Florida, are at risk of significant structural damage or loosening during hurricane seasons if the original equipment curbs or anchors break free under strong winds. The sudden and violent dislodging can cause large commercial units to crash onto structures below. Even minor debris dents or storm-induced floods can corrode critical components if water penetrates casings.
14. Rust Corrosion Across Heat Exchangers
In Florida, the gradual wearing down of metal due to oxidation is heightened in HVAC systems. The salt-enriched humidity, acidic rainfall, and constant airflow accelerate the deterioration of aluminized steel heat exchanger walls over time. Eventually, microscopic exhaust gas leaks can release carbon monoxide and other contaminants indoors, posing risks to occupants.
15. Faulty Thermostats
Defective thermostats often plague Florida HVAC systems. Exposure to intense humidity corrodes internal components, scrambles temperature calibration, and interrupts integration with control boards. Units then lack precision oversight on indoor conditions necessary to maintain comfort set points. Replacing damaged thermostats restores automated climate control abilities.
16. Waterlogged Air Handler Components
Air handlers, located indoors, house complex electrical components that regulate your HVAC system. However, in Florida, heavy rains may get through the vulnerable exterior protective barriers. This excess moisture can infiltrate the equipment, leading to internal short circuits, motor failures, or disruptions to the control board. Our technicians can restore moisture barriers and replace flooded components to reestablish functionality.
At Bold City Heating & Air, our expertise spans all equipment repairs. We can restore comfort, efficiency, and air quality across residential or commercial spaces year-round. Entrust your home’s indoor climate to certified cooling professionals committed to longevity. we offer heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services to Jacksonville, FL residents.
