Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them
August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you want to get the problem resolved at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, there can be countless of reasons why your AC unit isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a handful of problems that are more common, and identifying what they are is beneficial when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is discussing routes for resolving 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 stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat tells your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are wrong, your air conditioner might not run like it should. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Run through this short checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:
- Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Confirm that it’s in 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 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 higher power usage. They can also make an air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by consistently cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if you should change the filters? If you can’t recall the last time you changed them, it’s almost surely time to. But for a general recommendation, make sure you try to change flat filters each 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 develop on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as smoothly, and in certain cases sufficient ice can block the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be linked to multiple issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner is frozen, turn it off and let the ice melt. This will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air across the coils without beginning a cooling cycle.
It’s recommended to check the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other challenges, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional help.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system needs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home feels humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Ice on the evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell close to the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed earlier than 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being produced due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to correct.
If your R-22 AC unit is dealing with 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 AC system 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 covered, and you’ll get to keep any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your AC unit uses a condensate drain line to flush water it strips from the air. If you’ve overlooked air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to stay in the drain line. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch off your air conditioner to minimize damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioning system won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly restricting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system overheated due to insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is faulty.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has failed.
Like we discussed earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an annoying issue when the air conditioner turns off before the desired temperature has made its way through the rest of the house. If you suspect your air conditioner is short cycling, watch how long the air is active before it turns off. Your ordinary air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for around an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is running on and off in small bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and key components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of abnormal cooling cycles are routinely caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components switch the AC off. This happens repeatedly, especially if the real cause 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 enroll in a preventive maintenance plan. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and fixed during routine tune-ups.
In some cases 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 enroll in a membership program or to request your repair appointment? Contact us at 352-414-4006 today!
