August 3, 2022
When your home’s AC system malfunctions, you should try to get the situation resolved as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there can be dozens of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a few problems that are more common, and identifying what they are is handy when your Air Engineers Service Experts Expert is reviewing available choices for fixing the problem with air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioning to stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat tells your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are inaccurate, your cooling might not function properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, it won't be accessible at all. Run through this quick checklist to ensure 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)
- Verify that it’s currently on 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. What's more, dirty filters can cause multiple problems, including decreased airflow, lower indoor air quality and higher power usage. They can also make your air conditioning work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily minimize AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know if you should change the filters? If you can’t think back to 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 once a month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are important components because they emit heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the middle of the summer, ice can develop 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 outright.
Freezing can be related to different issues, such as:
- Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner is frozen, switch it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air over the coils without starting a cooling cycle.
It’s smart to check your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other challenges, including dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional help.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling 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 facing a leak:
- Inadequate cold air
- Home seems humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to repair.
If your R-22 AC unit is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment.
We realize that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which offers you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to proceed with any valuable manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your AC unit utilizes 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 flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch off your air conditioner to minimize 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 keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely constraining airflow.
- Your cooling is overheating due to a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor responsible for starting the compressor has broken down.
Like we outlined earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will have to be resolved by an HVAC expert like Air Engineers Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
A faulty cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is a frustrating malfunction when the system turns off before the set temperature has reached the remainder of the house. If you believe your cooling is short cycling, listen to how long the air is active before it shuts off. Your ordinary air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for close to an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is running on and off in short bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and vital components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of abnormal cooling cycles are frequently caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then 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 ideal way for you to minimize air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Air Engineers Service Experts, we provide several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and fixed during routine service.
Occasionally repairs are unavoidable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll receive 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 904-450-5672 today!