Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s air conditioner goes on the fritz, you deserve to get the situation dealt with at the earliest opportunity. However, there could be countless of reasons why your AC unit isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a handful of problems that are more common, and identifying what they are is handy when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is going over available choices for resolving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America. 

Here 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 incorrect, your cooling might not run like it should. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Try this short checklist to ensure your thermostat is receiving power and functioning 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 

Old or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In fact, dirty filters will sometimes cause a number of problems, such as weaker airflow, lower indoor air quality and excessive power use. 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 routinely cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know whether you should change your 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 change 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 form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as precisely, and in severe cases enough ice can keep the AC from running entirely. 

Freezing can be connected to several issues, like: 

• Dirty coils caused by ignoring 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 freezes, switch it off and let the ice melt. This will sometimes 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 starting 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, will require the support of a trained technician. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your air conditioner employs refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re confronting a leak: 

• Inadequate cold air 
• Home seems humid 
• Longer than normal cooling cycles 
• Ice forming on the evaporator coils 
• Dripping or hissing air conditioner noises 

• Sweet smell near the air conditioner 

If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being made as a consequence of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to fix. 

If your R-22 air conditioning system 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 better for the environment. 

We recognize that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t ready for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which provides you a new air conditioner for just one reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to proceed with any useful manufacturer’s rebates. 

5. Water Leak 

Your air conditioner 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 flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking. 

Turn off your air conditioner to prevent damage and call 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 several of the most prevalent ones: 

• Dirty air filter is severely limiting airflow. 

• Your cooling is overheating because of inadequate refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are strained or loose. 
• Blower motor is malfunctioning. 

• Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is defective. 
• Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has failed. 

As we discussed earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will have to be taken care of by an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

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 set temperature has reached the entire house. If you think your air conditioner is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is active before it turns off. Your average air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is switching on and off in short bursts. 

This puts heavy strain on moving parts and critical components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of atypical cooling cycles are routinely caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components switch the AC off. This happens over and over, namely if the source 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 plan. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and corrected with routine maintenance. 

Occasionally repairs are unavoidable, 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 sign up for a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 today!