August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner goes on the fritz, you want to get the situation resolved at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, there may be dozens of reasons why your AC unit isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a number of problems that are more widespread, and determining what they are is helpful when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is discussing options for solving the problem with air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your cooling system 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 conditioning may not function correctly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you'll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Run through this quick checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and functioning 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 infamous for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters will sometimes cause multiple problems, like decreased airflow, poorer indoor air quality and higher power usage. They can also make an AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes up.
You can easily minimize AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know whether you should change your filters? If you can’t think back to the last time you changed them, it’s almost certainly time to. But for a basic guideline, 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 summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as smoothly, and in some cases enough ice can block the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be connected to multiple issues, like:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can trigger moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which decrease cooling power
If your air conditioner is frozen, shut it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air over the coils without going through a cooling cycle.
It’s a good idea to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other issues, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need professional help.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling uses refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home feels humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dripping or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed prior to 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a consequence of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to fix.
If your R-22 air conditioning system is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment.
We realize that replacing your air conditioner can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which provides you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to retain any valuable manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your AC unit needs a condensate drain line to flush water it strips from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch off your air conditioner to prevent damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioner won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely restricting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system is running too hot because of insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is faulty.
- Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has broken down.
As we mentioned earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will have to be addressed by an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is an annoying issue when the unit turns off before the expected temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you suspect your air conditioner is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is working before it switches off. Your standard air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for around a similar 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 vital components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of abnormal cooling cycles are frequently a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components shut the AC off. This happens repeatedly, particularly if the root cause of the overheating isn’t resolved.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The number one way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and fixed during routine tune-ups.
Occasionally repairs are unavoidable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll receive special discounts on service, 24/7/365 priority service, no trip or overtime charges and more. Ready to join a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Call us at 321-428-7635 today!