August 3, 2022
When your home’s AC system malfunctions, you should try to get the situation taken care of at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, there can be hundreds of reasons why your AC unit isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a few problems that are more prevalent, and determining what they are is helpful when your Eveready Service Experts Expert is discussing available choices for resolving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioning to stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat tells your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are wrong, your air conditioner might not work properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, it won't be accessible at all. Try this brief checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and working properly:
- Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Check that it’s switched to cooling mode
- Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Dirty or inefficient air filters are known for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters could cause multiple problems, like decreased airflow, lower indoor air quality and higher power consumption. They can also make your air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil ices over.
You can easily reduce the risk of AC problems by regularly 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 rule of thumb, make sure you try to exchange 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 in the middle of the summer, ice can develop on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as smoothly, and in severe cases the ice can block the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be related to several issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, turn it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air over the coils without beginning a cooling cycle.
It’s smart to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other problems, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re facing a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home is humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Ice forming on the evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell near 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 manufactured due to its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to correct.
If your R-22 air conditioner has 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 better for the environment.
We recognize that replacing your air conditioner can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which offers you a new air conditioner for just one low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to retain any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your AC unit needs a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become blocked with mold and cause water to stay in the drain line. 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 support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioning system keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely constraining airflow.
- Your cooling 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 faulty.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has failed.
Like we outlined earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems should be addressed by an HVAC expert like Eveready Service Experts .
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is an annoying malfunction when the system shuts down before the desired temperature has reached the entire house. If you think your cooling is short cycling, watch how long the air is active before it turns off. Your standard 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 puts heavy strain on moving parts and key components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of abnormal cooling cycles are routinely a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components shut the AC off. This happens repeatedly, particularly if the root cause of the overheating isn’t dealt with.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The ideal way for you to minimize air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance program. At Eveready Service Experts , we promote several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and fixed with routine service.
Sometimes repairs are inevitable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll benefit from 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 request your repair appointment? Call us at 804-548-4480 today!