August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you want to get the problem taken care of right away. However, there can be hundreds 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 widespread, and recognizing what they are is handy when your Stevenson Service Experts Expert is reviewing routes for resolving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your cooling system to stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat instructs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are incorrect, your air conditioning might not function properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Try this short checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:
- Replace 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 set temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In fact, dirty filters will sometimes cause lots of problems, including weaker airflow, lower indoor air quality and higher power consumption. They can also make an air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know if you should change the filters? If you can’t recall the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a basic rule of thumb, make sure you try to replace flat filters every 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 some cases sufficient ice can stop the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be connected to different issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by a lack of 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 is frozen, shut it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air across the coils without starting a cooling cycle.
It’s smart to examine 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, will need professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling needs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re facing a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home seems humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed prior to 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a consequence of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct.
If your R-22 air conditioning system 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 better for the environment.
We realize that replacing your air conditioner 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 affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to retain any valuable manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning utilizes 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.
Turn off your air conditioner to prevent damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple of reasons why your cooling won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is gravely constraining airflow.
- Your cooling overheated due to insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has broken and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor responsible for starting the compressor has broken down.
Like we discussed earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will have to be taken care of by an HVAC pro like Stevenson Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is an irritating issue when the air conditioner shuts down before the desired temperature has covered the entire house. If you suspect your cooling is short cycling, watch how long the air is running before it turns off. Your average air conditioner usually 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 turning on and off in quick bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and critical components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of atypical cooling cycles are frequently caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components shut the AC off. This happens repeatedly, especially if the source of the overheating isn’t dealt with.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The best way for you to avoid air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance plan. At Stevenson Service Experts, we promote several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and fixed through routine maintenance.
In some cases repairs are unavoidable, 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 sign up for a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Get in touch with us at 937-503-7896 today!