August 3, 2022
When your home’s AC system breaks down, you deserve to get the situation taken care of at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, there could be countless of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a few problems that are more widespread, and identifying what they are is handy when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is reviewing routes for resolving the problem through 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 tells your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are wrong, your air conditioner may not function correctly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, it won't be accessible at all. Run through this short checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and functioning properly:
- Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Verify that it’s in cooling mode
- Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are known 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, such as weaker airflow, poorer indoor air quality and higher power usage. They can also make your AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes up.
You can easily avoid AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know when you should change the filters? If you can’t think back to 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 crucial components because they emit heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even during the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as easily, and in certain cases the ice can block the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be related to different issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by a lack of annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which decrease cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, turn it off and let the ice melt. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air over the coils without going through a refrigeration cycle.
It’s a good idea to examine 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 need professional help.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re facing a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home is humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to repair.
If your R-22 air conditioner is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners use 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 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 air conditioner utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it eliminates from the air. If you’ve avoided air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become clogged with mold and cause water to stay in the drain line. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Shut off your air conditioner to prevent damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a few reasons why your air conditioner keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly restricting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system is overheating caused by a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are strained or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has failed.
As we discussed earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will have to be addressed by an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is a frustrating issue when the air conditioner shuts down before the desired temperature has covered the rest of the house. If you think your air conditioner is short cycling, watch how long the air is active before it switches off. Your average air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is switching on and off in small bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and vital components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any form of abnormal cooling cycles are routinely a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components shut the AC off. This happens repeatedly, 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 avoid air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance program. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we provide several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and fixed with routine service.
Occasionally repairs are inescapable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll benefit from special discounts on service, 24/7/365 priority service, no trip or overtime charges and more. Ready to join a membership program or to request your repair appointment? Call us at 303-647-5853 today!