Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s AC system breaks down, you deserve to get the issue dealt with at the earliest opportunity. Annoyingly, there can be countless of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a handful of problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is helpful when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is discussing options for solving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America. 

Here are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioning to break down. 

1. Thermostat Problems 

Your thermostat instructs your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are wrong, your air conditioning might not run properly. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, it won’t be accessible at all. Follow this brief checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly: 

• Change batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models) 
• Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models) 
• Check that it’s switched to cooling mode 

• Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature 

2. Dirty Air Filter 

Dirty or inefficient air filters are known for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters can cause lots of problems, like decreased airflow, reduced indoor air quality and excessive power use. They can also make your AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil ices over. 

You can easily avoid AC problems by consistently cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know whether you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost certainly time to. But for a basic rule of thumb, make sure you try to change 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 middle of the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to manage the cooling process as easily, and in some cases the ice can keep the AC from running outright. 

Freezing can be linked to different issues, such as: 

• Dirty coils caused by a lack of 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 speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air over the coils without beginning a cooling cycle. 

It’s a good idea to examine your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other issues, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional help. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re dealing with a leak: 

• Insufficient cold air 
• Home is humid 
• Extended cooling cycles 
• Frozen evaporator coils 
• Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises 

• Sweet smell close to the air conditioner 

If your cooling was installed before 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to repair. 

If your R-22 air conditioning system is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment. 

We understand that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t ready for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives 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 utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it removes 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 avoid damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for help. 

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker 

There can be a few reasons why your cooling is repeatedly tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most common ones: 

• Dirty air filter is gravely constraining airflow. 

• Your air conditioner is overheating because of insufficient refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has broken and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are worn or loose. 
• Blower motor is defective. 

• Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is malfunctioning. 
• Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has gone out. 

As we mentioned earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will need to be addressed by an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

7. Short Cycling 

An improper cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is an irritating error when the system shuts off before the desired temperature has made its way through the entire house. If you believe your air conditioner is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is working before it shuts off. Your standard air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is turning on and off in small bursts. 

This puts heavy strain on moving parts and critical components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of abnormal cooling cycles are routinely a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components switch the AC off. This happens again and again, particularly if the source of the overheating isn’t resolved. 

Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs 

The ideal way for you to minimize air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and solved with routine tune-ups. 

Sometimes repairs are unavoidable, 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 enroll in a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Call us at 866-397-3787 today!