Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s cooling malfunctions, you want to get the problem resolved right away. However, there can be hundreds of reasons why your AC unit isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a number of problems that are more common, and identifying what they are is handy when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is discussing available choices for solving the problem with air conditioning repair in North America. 

Here are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioner to stop working. 

1. Thermostat Problems 

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

• Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models) 
• Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models) 
• Confirm that it’s currently on cooling mode 

• Ensure your set temperature is below the current room temperature 

2. Dirty Air Filter 

Old or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What’s more, dirty filters can cause multiple problems, such as reduced airflow, poorer indoor air quality and higher power use. They can also make the air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil ices over. 

You can easily reduce the risk of AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know whether you should change the filters? If you can’t recall the last time you changed them, it’s almost surely time to. But for a basic 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 important components because they release 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 some cases the ice can keep the AC from running outright. 

Freezing can be connected to several issues, including: 

• Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance 
• Dirty air filters, which obstruct airflow 
• Clogged drain line, which can trigger moisture buildup 

• Refrigerant leaks, which lessen cooling power 

If your air conditioner is frozen, switch it off and let the coils thaw. This will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air across the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle. 

It’s recommended to check the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other problems, 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 cooling uses refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re facing a leak: 

• Not enough cold air 
• Home seems humid 
• Extended cooling cycles 
• Ice forming on the evaporator coils 
• Dribbling or hissing air conditioner noises 

• Sweet smell close to the air conditioner 

If your cooling was installed earlier than 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to repair. 

If your R-22 AC unit is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment. 

We understand that replacing your air conditioner 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 affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, 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 eliminates from the air. If you’ve overlooked air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become blocked 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 call 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 a few of the most widespread ones: 

• Dirty air filter is severely limiting airflow. 

• Your cooling is running too hot because of insufficient refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are strained or loose. 
• Blower motor is defective. 

• Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is malfunctioning. 
• Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has failed. 

Like we mentioned earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will need to be taken care of 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 annoying issue when the air conditioner shuts down before the set temperature has covered the entire house. If you think your cooling is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is active before it switches off. Your average air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for around a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is switching on and off in quick bursts. 

This places heavy strain on moving parts and vital components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of irregular cooling cycles are routinely a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components switch the AC off. This happens repeatedly, particularly if the root cause of the overheating isn’t dealt with. 

Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs 

The ideal way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we promote several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and fixed through routine service. 

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 join a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Call us at 866-397-3787 today!