August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you deserve to get the issue dealt with as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there could be hundreds of reasons why your cooling isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a handful of problems that are more widespread, and determining what they are is helpful when your Climate Control Service Experts Expert is going over routes for fixing the problem with air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioner to break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat directs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are wrong, your air conditioning might not run properly. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Run through this quick checklist to ensure your thermostat is receiving power and working properly:
- Replace 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. In fact, dirty filters could cause a number of problems, such as reduced airflow, reduced indoor air quality and greater power usage. They can also make an AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil ices over.
You can easily minimize AC problems by consistently cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know when you should change the filters? If you can’t recall the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a basic recommendation, make sure you try to exchange flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are important components because they emit heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as easily, and in certain cases sufficient ice can stop the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be connected to several issues, such as:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can trigger moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which decrease cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, shut it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air across the coils without beginning a refrigeration cycle.
It’s recommended to inspect the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other issues, including dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system employs refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home seems humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed prior to 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being made because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to repair.
If your R-22 air conditioning system has a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We recognize that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to keep any valuable manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your AC unit utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it eliminates from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become clogged with mold and cause water to flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Turn off your air conditioner to minimize damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a few reasons why your cooling won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly constraining airflow.
- Your air conditioning system is running too hot because of inadequate refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is malfunctioning.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is malfunctioning.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has failed.
Like we mentioned earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will have to be taken care of by an HVAC expert like Climate Control Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is an annoying issue when the unit shuts off before the set temperature has covered the rest of the house. If you suspect your cooling is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is running before it turns off. Your average air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is turning on and off in small bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and vital components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of irregular cooling cycles are frequently a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components switch the AC off. This happens over and over, namely if the source of the overheating isn’t addressed.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The best way for you to avoid air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance plan. At Climate Control Service Experts, we promote several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and fixed through routine service.
Occasionally repairs are unavoidable, 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 sign up for a membership program or to request your repair appointment? Get in touch with us at 251-202-7503 today!