Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s cooling malfunctions, you deserve to get the issue dealt with as soon as possible. However, there could be dozens of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a number of problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is handy when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is discussing routes 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 conditioning to break down.

1. Thermostat Problems

Your thermostat directs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are inaccurate, your cooling may not run properly. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, it won’t be accessible at all. Follow this brief checklist to ensure your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:

• • Swap out batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)

• • Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)

• • Verify that it’s switched to cooling mode

• • Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature

2. Dirty Air Filter

Dirty or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and reliable air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters will sometimes cause multiple problems, like decreased airflow, reduced indoor air quality and excessive power use. They can also make your air conditioning work harder and stop working if the coil freezes. You can easily minimize AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if 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 standard recommendation, make sure you try to replace flat filters each month and pleated filters every three months.

3. Frozen Condenser Coils

Your air conditioner’s coils are crucial 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 handle the cooling process as smoothly, and in severe cases the ice can block the AC from running outright. Freezing can be connected to different issues, like:

• • Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance

• • Dirty air filters, which obstruct airflow

• • Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup

• • Refrigerant leaks, which lessen cooling power

If your air conditioner freezes, shut it off and let the coils thaw. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air across the coils without beginning a refrigeration cycle. It’s smart to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other problems, including dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need professional help.

4. Refrigerant Leak

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

• • Not enough cold air

• • Home feels humid

• • Excessively long cooling cycles

• • Frozen evaporator coils

• • Bubbling or hissing air conditioner sounds

• • Sweet smell close to the air conditioner

If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct. 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 understand that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t ready for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which provides 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 air conditioner needs a condensate drain line to flush water it strips from the air. If you’ve overlooked 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 avoid damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker

There can be a number of reasons why your cooling won’t stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most common ones:

• • Dirty air filter is significantly constraining airflow.

• • Your air conditioner overheated caused by a lack of refrigerant.

• • Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.

• • Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating.

• • Electrical connections are damaged or loose.

• • Blower motor is faulty.

• • Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.

• • Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has broken down.

Like we discussed earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.

7. Short Cycling

An improper cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is an irritating issue when the system turns off before the expected temperature has reached the entire house. If you think your air conditioner is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is active before it turns off. Your standard air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for around the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is running on and off in short bursts. This places heavy strain on moving parts and critical components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of atypical cooling cycles are often a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components turn the AC off. This happens over and over, especially if the root cause 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 minimize air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance plan. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we provide several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and fixed with routine tune-ups. Sometimes 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 join a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Call us at today!