August 3, 2022
When your home’s cooling breaks down, you should try to get the problem dealt with at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, there can be hundreds of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a number of problems that are more widespread, and determining what they are is handy 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 air conditioning to break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat tells your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are incorrect, your air conditioning 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)
- Confirm that it’s switched to cooling mode
- Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Dirty or inefficient air filters are known for turning a perfectly functional and reliable air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What's more, dirty filters will sometimes cause lots of problems, such as reduced airflow, reduced indoor air quality and greater power use. They can also make the air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if you should change your filters? If you can’t think back to the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a basic guideline, make sure you try to replace flat filters each 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 summer, ice can develop on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as precisely, and in severe cases enough ice can stop the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be related to different issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, shut it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air across the coils without beginning a refrigeration cycle.
It’s smart to examine the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other issues, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling needs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home feels humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being produced because of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to fix.
If your R-22 air conditioning system is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Modern air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment.
We realize 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 low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to keep any useful manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning uses a condensate drain line to flush water it eliminates 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 prevent damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a few reasons why your air conditioner keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is gravely restricting airflow.
- Your cooling is running too hot due to insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has broken and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are strained or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is malfunctioning.
- Capacitor responsible for starting the compressor has broken down.
As we discussed earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems should be resolved by an HVAC expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
7. Short Cycling
A faulty cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is an irritating malfunction when the system shuts off before the expected temperature has covered the entire house. If you think your cooling is short cycling, watch how long the air is on before it shuts off. Your ordinary air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for around an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is switching on and off in quick bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and critical components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any form of irregular cooling cycles are routinely a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components switch the AC off. This happens repeatedly, namely if the root cause of the overheating isn’t addressed.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The ideal way for you to avoid air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance program. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and corrected during routine service.
In some cases 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 enroll in a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Call us at 330-269-7235 today!