Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s air conditioner malfunctions, you want to get the situation taken care of right away. Unfortunately, there can be dozens of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a handful of problems that are more prevalent, and identifying what they are is helpful when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is reviewing options 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 conditioner to break down. 

1. Thermostat Problems 

Your thermostat tells your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are incorrect, your cooling may not run like it should. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Follow this short checklist to make sure 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 switched to cooling mode 

• Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature 

2. Dirty Air Filter 

Old or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What’s more, dirty filters can cause multiple problems, like reduced airflow, reduced indoor air quality and higher power consumption. They can also make your air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes. 

You can easily reduce the risk of AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing the 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 guideline, 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 essential components because they emit 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 manage the cooling process as smoothly, and in some cases sufficient ice can keep the AC from running at all. 

Freezing can be related to several issues, including: 

• Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance 
• Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow 
• Clogged drain line, which can trigger moisture buildup 

• Refrigerant leaks, which lessen cooling power 

If your air conditioner is frozen, switch it off and let the ice melt. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air on the coils without going through a refrigeration cycle. 

It’s smart to examine your 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, will need the support of a trained technician. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re facing a leak: 

• Insufficient cold air 
• Home feels humid 
• Excessively long cooling cycles 
• Ice forming on the evaporator coils 
• Dribbling or hissing air conditioner sounds 

• Sweet smell near the air conditioner 

If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being manufactured due to its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct. 

If your R-22 air conditioner has a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Modern air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment. 

We recognize that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which offers you a new air conditioner for just one reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to retain any useful manufacturer’s rebates. 

5. Water Leak 

Your air conditioner 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 back up. 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 air conditioning system won’t stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most widespread ones: 

• Dirty air filter is severely restricting airflow. 

• Your air conditioner overheated caused by insufficient refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are worn or loose. 
• Blower motor is faulty. 

• Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is faulty. 
• Capacitor responsible for starting the compressor has gone out. 

As we outlined earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems should be resolved by an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

7. Short Cycling 

An insufficient cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is a frustrating malfunction when the air conditioner shuts down before the set temperature has made its way through the entire house. If you think your AC unit is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is active before it switches off. Your ordinary 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 running on and off in short bursts. 

This places heavy strain on moving parts and critical components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of abnormal 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, particularly if the source of the overheating isn’t dealt with. 

Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs 

The number one way for you to avoid air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and solved during routine tune-ups. 

In some cases repairs are inescapable, 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 866-397-3787 today!