August 3, 2022
When your home’s cooling breaks down, you want to get the situation dealt with right away. However, there can be hundreds of reasons why your cooling isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a handful of problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is beneficial when your Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Expert is reviewing 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 tells your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are inaccurate, your air conditioning may not function like it should. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, it won't be accessible at all. Try this quick checklist to confirm 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 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 efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In fact, dirty filters could cause a number of problems, such as reduced airflow, poorer indoor air quality and higher power consumption. They can also make your air conditioning work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know if you should change the filters? If you can’t think back to the last time you changed them, it’s almost certainly time to. But for a standard guideline, make sure you try to exchange flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are crucial components because they release heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the middle of the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to manage the cooling process as easily, and in certain cases the ice can stop the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be related to different 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 lessen cooling power
If your air conditioner freezes, shut it off and let the ice melt. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air on the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle.
It’s a good idea to inspect the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other problems, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system employs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Inadequate cold air
- Home seems humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Ice on the evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed prior to 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct.
If your R-22 air conditioner is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We understand that replacing your cooling 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 incorporated, and you’ll get to proceed with 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 avoided air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become clogged with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch off your air conditioner to prevent damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioner is repeatedly tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely limiting airflow.
- Your air conditioner overheated caused by a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has broken down.
As we mentioned earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will have to be resolved by an HVAC professional 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 issue when the air conditioner shuts down before the expected temperature has made its way through the remainder of the house. If you believe your cooling is short cycling, listen to how long the air is working before it turns off. Your standard air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is turning on and off in short bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and critical components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of irregular cooling cycles are often a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components shut the AC off. This happens again and again, especially if the root cause of the overheating isn’t dealt with.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The number one way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance program. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we promote several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and fixed during routine service.
Occasionally 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 join a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Contact us at 866-397-3787 today!