August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner malfunctions, you deserve to get the problem dealt with at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, there can be hundreds of reasons why your cooling isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a few problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is beneficial when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is reviewing routes for fixing the problem with air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your cooling system to stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat instructs your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are incorrect, your cooling might not work like it should. And if the batteries have died in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Run through this brief 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)
- Verify that it’s switched to cooling mode
- Ensure your set 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 multiple problems, such as weaker airflow, reduced indoor air quality and greater power consumption. They can also make an AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know if 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 once a month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are essential components because they release heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as precisely, and in certain cases enough ice can keep the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be linked to several issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by a lack of annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which decrease cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, shut it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air across the coils without starting a cooling cycle.
It’s recommended to inspect the 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, will require professional help.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system needs refrigerant to transfer 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 dealing with a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home feels humid
- Longer than normal cooling cycles
- Ice forming on the evaporator coils
- Dripping or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your air conditioner 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 quantities are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive 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. Modern air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We understand 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 covered, and you’ll get to retain any worthwhile 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 clogged with mold and cause water to flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Turn off your air conditioner to minimize damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioning system keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely constraining airflow.
- Your air conditioning system is running too hot due to a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working 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 in control of starting the compressor has broken down.
As we mentioned earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems should be taken care of by an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is a frustrating issue when the system shuts down before the set temperature has made its way through the entire house. If you believe your air conditioner is short cycling, listen to how long the air is on before it turns off. Your average air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for close to a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is running on and off in small bursts.
This places heavy strain on moving parts and key components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of atypical cooling cycles are often a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components switch 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 prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and fixed through routine tune-ups.
Sometimes repairs are inevitable, 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 arrange your repair appointment? Get in touch with us at 407-329-7661 today!