August 3, 2022
When your home’s AC system malfunctions, you deserve to get the issue resolved right away. Unfortunately, there could be hundreds of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a number of problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is handy when your Finch Air Conditioning & Heating Expert is going over options for solving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioner 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 wrong, your air conditioner may not work 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 functioning properly:
- Swap out batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Verify that it’s in 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 could cause lots of problems, like weaker airflow, poorer indoor air quality and excessive power use. They can also make your AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes up.
You can easily avoid AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know whether you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost certainly time to. But for a general recommendation, 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 important components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even during the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to manage the cooling process as smoothly, and in some cases sufficient ice can keep the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be related to different issues, such as:
- Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, shut it off and let the coils thaw. This will sometimes 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 going through a refrigeration cycle.
It’s a good idea to check your 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, are best handled with the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient 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 is humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Ice on the evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to repair.
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. 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 prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to keep any worthwhile 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 avoided air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch 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 conditioner is repeatedly tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely limiting airflow.
- Your air conditioner is overheating caused by insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are strained or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has gone out.
As we outlined earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will have to be taken care of by an HVAC pro like Finch Air Conditioning & Heating.
7. Short Cycling
A faulty cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an irritating error when the air conditioner shuts down before the expected temperature has covered the rest of the house. If you believe your cooling is short cycling, listen to how long the air is on before it shuts off. Your ordinary air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for close to a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is switching on and off in short bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and critical components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of abnormal cooling cycles are routinely a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components turn the AC off. This happens again and again, particularly if the source of the overheating isn’t resolved.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The number one way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance program. At Finch Air Conditioning & Heating, we promote several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and solved through routine service.
In some cases repairs are inescapable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll enjoy 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? Get in touch with us at 281-407-9478 today!