August 3, 2022
When your home’s AC system malfunctions, you deserve to get the problem dealt with right away. However, there can be countless of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a few problems that are more widespread, and recognizing what they are is helpful when your Stevenson Service Experts 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 instructs your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are wrong, your cooling might not work properly. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you'll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Run through this short checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and working properly:
- Swap out batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Check that it’s in cooling mode
- Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and reliable air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What's more, dirty filters can cause lots of problems, including decreased airflow, poorer indoor air quality and higher power use. They can also make your AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil ices over.
You can easily reduce the risk of AC problems by consistently 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 definitely time to. But for a basic recommendation, make sure you try to change flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are essential components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even during the summer, ice can develop on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as smoothly, and in certain cases sufficient ice can keep the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be linked to several issues, such as:
- Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which lessen cooling power
If your air conditioner is frozen, switch it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air across the coils without going through a cooling cycle.
It’s smart to examine the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other issues, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling uses refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home feels humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Ice forming on the evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to repair.
If your R-22 AC unit has a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Modern air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We recognize that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to keep 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 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.
Turn off your air conditioner to avoid damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a few reasons why your air conditioning system won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly limiting airflow.
- Your air conditioner is overheating due to inadequate refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has broken down.
As we discussed earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will have to be addressed by an HVAC professional like Stevenson Service Experts.
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 off before the set temperature has covered the rest of the house. If you suspect your cooling is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is running before it turns off. Your ordinary air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for about 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 vital components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of irregular cooling cycles are routinely a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components turn the AC off. This happens over and over, especially if the root cause of the overheating isn’t dealt with.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The best way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance program. At Stevenson Service Experts, we promote several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and solved through routine maintenance.
Sometimes repairs are inevitable, 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? Call us at 614-334-3192 today!