Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s air conditioner 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 impacting you? There are a handful of problems that are more prevalent, and determining what they are is beneficial when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is going over options for fixing the problem with air conditioning repair in North America. 

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

1. Thermostat Problems 

Your thermostat directs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are incorrect, your air conditioning might not function properly. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you’ll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Follow this short checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and working properly: 

  • Change 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 addition, dirty filters can cause a number of problems, such as weaker airflow, reduced indoor air quality and greater power consumption. They can also make an air conditioner 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 guideline, make sure you try to replace 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 emit heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even during the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as easily, and in some cases sufficient ice can keep the AC from running outright. 

Freezing can be linked to multiple issues, such as: 

  • Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance 
  • Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow 
  • Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup 
  • Refrigerant leaks, which lessen cooling power 

If your air conditioner is frozen, turn it off and let the ice on the coils 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 on the coils without beginning a cooling cycle. 

It’s recommended to check your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other problems, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional help. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your cooling uses refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re confronting a leak: 

  • Inadequate cold air 
  • Home seems humid 
  • Excessively long cooling cycles 
  • Ice on the evaporator coils 
  • Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises 
  • Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner 

If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to fix. 

If your R-22 air conditioner has a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment. 

We understand that replacing your air conditioner 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 affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to retain any useful manufacturer’s rebates. 

5. Water Leak 

Your air conditioner utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it strips from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking. 

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

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker 

There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioning system is repeatedly tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most common ones: 

  • Dirty air filter is gravely restricting airflow. 
  • Your air conditioning system overheated because of a lack of refrigerant. 
  • Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow. 
  • Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating. 
  • Electrical connections are worn 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 commonly the culprit. Any other problems will have to be resolved by an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

7. Short Cycling 

An insufficient cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is an annoying error when the unit shuts off before the desired temperature has reached the remainder of the house. If you believe your AC unit is short cycling, listen to how long the air is on before it turns off. Your average air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for about a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is turning on and off in small bursts. 

This places heavy strain on moving parts and vital components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of atypical cooling cycles are frequently caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components shut the AC off. This happens over and over, especially if the source of the overheating isn’t resolved. 

Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs 

The best way for you to minimize air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance plan. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we promote several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and fixed during routine maintenance. 

Sometimes repairs are inevitable, 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 schedule your repair appointment? Contact us at 866-397-3787 today!