Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them
August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you should try to get the problem taken care of right away. However, there can 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 common, and recognizing what they are is helpful when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is reviewing 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 conditioning to malfunction.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat instructs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are wrong, your air conditioning might not function properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Follow this brief checklist to ensure your thermostat is receiving power and functioning properly:
- Swap out batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Confirm that it’s in cooling mode
- Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are known for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What's more, dirty filters will sometimes cause lots of problems, like reduced airflow, poorer 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 reduce the risk of AC problems by consistently cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know when you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a basic recommendation, 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 crucial components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the middle of the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as smoothly, and in some cases the ice can stop the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be related to different issues, like:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring 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, turn 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 a good idea to inspect the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other problems, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home seems humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed earlier than 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to fix.
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. Modern air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment.
We recognize that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to retain 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 skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become blocked 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 contact us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioner is repeatedly tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is gravely constraining airflow.
- Your cooling is running too hot due to a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are strained or loose.
- Blower motor is malfunctioning.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has gone out.
Like we outlined earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is an annoying error when the unit turns off before the expected temperature has covered the entire house. If you believe your air conditioner is short cycling, watch how long the air is running before it shuts off. Your ordinary air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for close to the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is running on and off in short bursts.
This places heavy strain on moving parts and critical components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of abnormal cooling cycles are routinely caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components switch 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 ideal way for you to minimize air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and corrected during routine tune-ups.
Sometimes repairs are unavoidable, 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 sign up for a membership program or to request your repair appointment? Get in touch with us at 352-414-4006 today!
