Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them
August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner goes on the fritz, you want to get the problem resolved right away. Unfortunately, there can be hundreds of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a number of problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is beneficial when your Peachtree Service Experts Expert is reviewing available choices 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 tells your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are incorrect, your cooling might not function properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. 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 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. What's more, dirty filters can cause lots of problems, such as weaker airflow, reduced indoor air quality and excessive power consumption. They can also make an air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes up.
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 surely 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 crucial components because they emit heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as easily, and in severe cases the ice can stop the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be connected to multiple issues, like:
- Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can trigger moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which decrease cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, shut it off and let the ice melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air on the coils without beginning a refrigeration cycle.
It’s smart to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other issues, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner employs refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home is humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Ice on the evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a consequence of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to fix.
If your R-22 AC unit is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment.
We realize that replacing your AC system 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 reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to proceed with any valuable manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioner utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve overlooked air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become blocked with mold and cause water to flood the system. 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 assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your cooling won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely restricting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system is running too hot due to insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is malfunctioning.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has gone out.
As we discussed earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will need to be addressed by an HVAC expert like Peachtree Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is a frustrating malfunction when the unit turns off before the desired temperature has made its way through the rest of the house. If you believe your cooling is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is active before it shuts off. Your ordinary air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for around an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is running on and off in short bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and critical components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of atypical cooling cycles are often a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components shut the AC off. This happens again and again, particularly if the root cause of the overheating isn’t addressed.
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 agreement. At Peachtree Service Experts, we offer several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and solved during routine maintenance.
Occasionally repairs are inescapable, 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 enroll in a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Call us at 678-235-9699 today!
