Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s air conditioner malfunctions, you deserve to get the problem resolved as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there may be dozens of reasons why your cooling 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 handy when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is reviewing routes for resolving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America.

Here are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your cooling system to break down.

1. Thermostat Problems

Your thermostat tells your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are inaccurate, your cooling may not run properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, it won’t be accessible at all. Follow this short checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:

• • Swap out batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)

• • Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)

• • Confirm that it’s in cooling mode

• • Ensure your set temperature is below the current room temperature

2. Dirty Air Filter

Dirty or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and reliable air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What’s more, dirty filters could cause lots of problems, like reduced airflow, lower indoor air quality and higher power consumption. They can also make the AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.

You can easily avoid AC problems by consistently 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 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 important components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as smoothly, and in severe cases sufficient ice can stop the AC from running outright.

Freezing can be linked to several 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 will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air across the coils without starting a cooling cycle.

It’s a good idea to check the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other problems, including dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional help.

4. Refrigerant Leak

Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re facing a leak:

• • Insufficient cold air

• • Home seems humid

• • Extended cooling cycles

• • Frozen evaporator coils

• • Dribbling or hissing air conditioner sounds

• • Sweet smell close to the air conditioner

If your air conditioning system was installed earlier than 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a consequence of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to repair.

If your R-22 air conditioner is struggling with 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 superior 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 offers you a new air conditioner for just one low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to proceed with any useful manufacturer’s rebates.

5. Water Leak

Your AC unit uses a condensate drain line to flush water it strips from the air. If you’ve overlooked air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become clogged with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.

Shut off your air conditioner to minimize damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for support.

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker

There can be a few reasons why your air conditioner keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most common ones:

• • Dirty air filter is significantly constraining airflow.

• • Your cooling is overheating because of a lack of refrigerant.

• • Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.

• • Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.

• • Electrical connections are damaged or loose.

• • Blower motor is faulty.

• • Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is malfunctioning.

• • Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has broken down.

Like we discussed earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will need to be addressed by an HVAC expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.

7. Short Cycling

An insufficient cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is a frustrating issue when the air conditioner shuts off before the set temperature has made its way through the entire house. If you think your cooling is short cycling, watch how long the air is working before it turns off. Your average air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is turning on and off in quick bursts.

This places heavy strain on moving parts and key components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of abnormal cooling cycles are frequently a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components shut the AC off. This happens over and over, especially if the real 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 minimize air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance agreement. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we provide several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and corrected with routine maintenance.

Sometimes 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 enroll in a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Call us at today!