Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you deserve to get the issue dealt with as soon as possible. Annoyingly, there could be hundreds of reasons why your AC unit isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a handful of problems that are more prevalent, and determining what they are is helpful when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is going over options for resolving the problem with air conditioning repair in North America. 

Here 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 thermostat settings are wrong, your air conditioning might not run like it should. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you’ll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Try this quick checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and functioning 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 desired 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. In addition, dirty filters will sometimes cause multiple problems, including reduced airflow, poorer indoor air quality and higher power use. They can also make an air conditioning work harder and stop working if the coil freezes up. 

You can easily reduce the risk of AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if you should change your filters? If you can’t recall the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a standard 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 smoothly, and in some cases the ice can keep the AC from running entirely. 

Freezing can be connected to several issues, like: 

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

• Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power 

If your air conditioner freezes, turn it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air over the coils without going through a cooling cycle. 

It’s smart to examine your 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, will require professional help. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your cooling needs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re confronting a leak: 

• Inadequate cold air 
• Home is humid 
• Excessively long cooling cycles 
• Ice forming on the evaporator coils 
• Dripping or hissing air conditioner sounds 

• Sweet smell near the air conditioner 

If your air conditioning system was installed earlier than 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being made as a consequence of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct. 

If your R-22 air conditioner is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment. 

We recognize that replacing your air conditioner can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which provides you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to retain any useful manufacturer’s rebates. 

5. Water Leak 

Your air conditioner utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it strips from the air. If you’ve overlooked air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become clogged 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 support. 

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker 

There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioning system won’t stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most prevalent ones: 

• Dirty air filter is gravely limiting airflow. 

• Your air conditioning system overheated caused by insufficient refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are worn or loose. 
• Blower motor is defective. 

• Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is faulty. 
• Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has failed. 

As we outlined earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. 

7. Short Cycling 

An improper cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is an irritating issue when the system turns off before the set temperature has covered the remainder of the house. If you suspect your AC unit is short cycling, watch how long the air is on before it switches off. Your ordinary air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for close to an equivalent 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 key components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of atypical cooling cycles are frequently caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components shut the AC off. This happens over and over, particularly 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 minimize air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and solved with 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 enroll in a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Contact us at (239)-908-6991 today!