August 3, 2022
When your home’s cooling breaks down, you want to get the issue taken care of at the earliest opportunity. However, there can be countless of reasons why your AC unit isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a handful of problems that are more common, and identifying what they are is helpful when your Wesley Wood Service Experts Expert is discussing available choices for resolving 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 break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat directs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are incorrect, your air conditioning might not work properly. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Run through this short checklist to make sure 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)
- Check that it’s currently on cooling mode
- Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What's more, dirty filters will sometimes cause multiple problems, like decreased airflow, lower indoor air quality and greater power consumption. They can also make an AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes up.
You can easily avoid AC problems by routinely 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 definitely time to. But for a general rule of thumb, 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 essential components because they emit 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 handle the cooling process as smoothly, and in severe cases the ice can block the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be linked to different issues, such as:
- Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which obstruct airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can trigger moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, turn it off and let the coils thaw. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air across the coils without going through a cooling cycle.
It’s a good idea to examine your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other problems, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling needs refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home feels humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed earlier than 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to repair.
If your R-22 AC unit 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 more sustainable for the environment.
We understand 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 included, and you’ll get to keep any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning needs a condensate drain line to flush water it strips from the air. If you’ve overlooked 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 avoid damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a few reasons why your air conditioner won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly limiting airflow.
- Your cooling overheated due to insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has broken and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are strained or loose.
- Blower motor is faulty.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has gone out.
As we mentioned earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC expert like Wesley Wood Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an irritating malfunction when the unit shuts down before the desired temperature has reached the entire house. If you believe your cooling is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is active before it turns off. Your standard air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for about a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is switching on and off in small bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and key components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of abnormal cooling cycles are often a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components turn 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 number one way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance plan. At Wesley Wood Service Experts, we promote several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and corrected with routine tune-ups.
In some cases repairs are inescapable, 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 join a membership program or to request your repair appointment? Contact us at 484-401-7577 today!