Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you should try to get the problem resolved as soon as possible. Annoyingly, there could be dozens of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a number of problems that are more widespread, and identifying what they are is helpful when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is discussing available choices for fixing the problem through air conditioning repair in North America.
Here are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioning to break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat instructs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are wrong, your air conditioner may not run properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Run through this quick checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:
- Change batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Confirm that it’s currently on cooling mode
- Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What’s more, dirty filters can cause a number of problems, including reduced airflow, reduced indoor air quality and excessive power consumption. They can also make your air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know if you should change the filters? If you can’t think back to the last time you changed them, it’s almost certainly time to. But for a general recommendation, make sure you try to replace flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are important components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the middle of the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as precisely, and in some cases sufficient ice can stop the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be connected to multiple issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by a lack of annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which obstruct airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can trigger moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which decrease cooling power
If your air conditioner freezes, switch it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air across the coils without going through a refrigeration cycle.
It’s recommended to inspect the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other issues, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner employs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home is humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed prior to 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to repair.
If your R-22 air conditioner has a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We realize that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t ready for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to proceed with any useful manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your AC unit needs a condensate drain line to flush water it eliminates from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch off your air conditioner to prevent damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a few reasons why your air conditioning system won’t stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly limiting airflow.
- Your air conditioner is running too hot because of inadequate refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is malfunctioning.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has broken down.
Like we outlined earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will have to be resolved by an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an irritating error when the system shuts down before the desired temperature has made its way through the entire house. If you think your cooling is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is active before it switches off. Your average air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for close to an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is turning on and off in quick bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and key components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of atypical cooling cycles are often a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components shut the AC off. This happens again and again, particularly if the root cause of the overheating isn’t addressed.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The best way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and fixed with routine maintenance.
In some cases repairs are inevitable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll enjoy special discounts on service, 24/7/365 priority service, no trip or overtime charges and more. Ready to join a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 today!