August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you want to get the situation taken care of as soon as possible. However, there could be countless of reasons why your cooling isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a few problems that are more widespread, and identifying what they are is helpful when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is reviewing routes for resolving the problem with air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioner to break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat tells your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are inaccurate, your air conditioning might not work properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Try this short checklist to ensure your thermostat is receiving power and working properly:
- Change 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
Dirty or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters can cause multiple problems, like decreased airflow, lower indoor air quality and higher power use. They can also make your air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily reduce the risk of AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know if you should change the filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a standard guideline, 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 crucial 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 some cases sufficient ice can block the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be related to several issues, such as:
- Dirty coils caused by a lack of annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can trigger moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which decrease cooling power
If your air conditioner is frozen, switch it off and let the coils thaw. This could 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 beginning a cooling cycle.
It’s recommended to check the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other issues, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling employs refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home seems humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Ice on the evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell close to the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed prior to 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct.
If your R-22 air conditioning system is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we recommend 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 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 reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to keep any valuable manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioner uses a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve avoided 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.
Shut off your air conditioner to prevent damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioning system keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely restricting airflow.
- Your cooling overheated caused by a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is malfunctioning.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has failed.
As we discussed earlier, check 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 cause problems. Short cycling is an annoying error when the system turns off before the desired temperature has covered the rest of the house. If you think your air conditioner is short cycling, listen to how long the air is working before it switches off. Your average air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is turning on and off in small bursts.
This places heavy strain on moving parts and key components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of irregular cooling cycles are routinely a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components turn the AC off. This happens over and over, particularly 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 prevent air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance plan. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we provide several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and corrected during routine maintenance.
Sometimes repairs are inescapable, 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 sign up for a membership program or to request your repair appointment? Call us at 305-440-1505 today!