August 3, 2022
When your home’s cooling goes on the fritz, you should try to get the situation taken care of right away. Unfortunately, there can be dozens of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a few problems that are more prevalent, and determining what they are is beneficial when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is discussing 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 directs your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are inaccurate, your cooling might not work correctly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Try this quick 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)
- Check that it’s switched to 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 efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What's more, dirty filters will sometimes cause a number of problems, like reduced airflow, poorer indoor air quality and greater power usage. They can also make your air conditioning 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 when you should change the filters? If you can’t recall the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a basic recommendation, make sure you try to replace 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 summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as precisely, and in severe cases sufficient ice can stop the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be linked to multiple issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring 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 has frozen, switch it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air on the coils without beginning a cooling cycle.
It’s smart to examine the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other problems, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional help.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system needs refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home feels humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed prior to 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being made because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to fix.
If your R-22 air conditioner has a refrigerant leak, we suggest 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 realize that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t ready 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 retain any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning 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 back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Shut off your air conditioner to avoid damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioner keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely constraining airflow.
- Your cooling is overheating caused by a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is faulty.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has failed.
Like we discussed earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an irritating issue when the air conditioner turns off before the set temperature has reached the entire house. If you think your AC unit is short cycling, listen to how long the air is working before it shuts 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 conditioner is running 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 form of irregular cooling cycles are routinely caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components switch the AC off. This happens again and again, especially if the real 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 avoid air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance program. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and fixed with routine service.
In some cases 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 schedule your repair appointment? Contact us at 239-908-6991 today!