August 3, 2022
When your home’s AC system malfunctions, you deserve to get the situation dealt with right away. However, 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 number of problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is handy when your Comfortech Service Experts Expert is going over routes for fixing the problem through air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioner to malfunction.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat tells your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are incorrect, your air conditioner might not work correctly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Try this short checklist to make sure 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 in 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 fact, dirty filters can cause a number of problems, including decreased airflow, lower indoor air quality and greater power use. They can also make an AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know whether you should change the filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost surely time to. But for a general rule of thumb, make sure you try to replace flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are essential components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even during the summer, ice can develop on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to manage the cooling process as easily, and in certain cases enough ice can keep the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be connected to multiple issues, including:
- 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 lessen cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, switch it off and let the coils thaw. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air over the coils without starting a cooling cycle.
It’s a good idea to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other challenges, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home seems humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Ice forming on the evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed earlier than 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to correct.
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. New air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We recognize that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to proceed with any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning needs a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve skipped 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.
Switch off your air conditioner to prevent damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioner won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is gravely limiting airflow.
- Your air conditioner is running too hot 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 too much power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor responsible for starting the compressor has gone out.
Like we outlined earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems should be addressed by an HVAC professional like Comfortech Service Experts .
7. Short Cycling
A faulty cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an annoying error when the system shuts off before the expected temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you suspect your cooling is short cycling, watch how long the air is active before it turns off. Your average air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for about an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is turning on and off in quick bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and key components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of atypical cooling cycles are often a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components shut the AC off. This happens over and over, especially 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 prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Comfortech Service Experts , we promote several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and fixed through routine service.
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? Get in touch with us at 601-852-3105 today!