August 3, 2022
When your home’s cooling breaks down, you should try to get the problem dealt with at the earliest opportunity. Annoyingly, there could be hundreds of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a handful of problems that are more common, and recognizing what they are is handy when your Strogen's Service Experts Expert is going over routes for fixing 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 instructs your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are wrong, your air conditioning might not function correctly. And if the batteries have died in a programmable thermostat, you'll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Run through this quick checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:
- Change batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Check that it’s in cooling mode
- Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Dirty 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 could cause lots of problems, like decreased airflow, reduced indoor air quality and excessive power use. They can also make the air conditioning work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily minimize AC problems by consistently cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know when you should change the filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost surely time to. But for a basic guideline, make sure you try to exchange flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are crucial components because they discharge 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 manage the cooling process as smoothly, and in severe cases sufficient ice can keep the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be linked to multiple issues, like:
- Dirty coils caused by a lack of annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which obstruct airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner freezes, turn it off and let the ice melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air across the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle.
It’s smart to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other problems, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system needs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home is humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Ice on the evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell nearby 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 produced as a consequence of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct.
If your R-22 air conditioning system has a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Modern air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment.
We realize that replacing your air conditioner can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which offers you a new air conditioner for just one low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to proceed with any useful manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning needs a condensate drain line to flush water it eliminates from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Turn off your air conditioner to avoid 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 keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly limiting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system is running too hot caused by a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has broken and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are strained or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor responsible for starting the compressor has gone out.
Like we mentioned earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will need to be taken care of by an HVAC expert like Strogen's Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is an annoying malfunction when the unit shuts down before the desired temperature has reached the entire house. If you suspect your AC unit is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is on before it shuts off. Your average air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for close to the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is switching on and off in short bursts.
This places heavy strain on moving parts and critical 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 switch the AC off. This happens repeatedly, namely 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 avoid air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance plan. At Strogen's Service Experts, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and fixed through routine maintenance.
Occasionally repairs are unavoidable, 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 enroll in a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Get in touch with us at 603-923-4570 today!