As we approach the hottest months of the year, effective air conditioning is more important than ever. What if your air conditioner is completely out of order or not working properly? In that case, you’ll not only be uncomfortable, but you’ll also be frustrated trying to figure out the air conditioner problems you’re dealing with.
To avoid any discomfort or frustration, you want your AC unit to run smoothly all year long. But remember: this is only possible if you keep up with the regular maintenance of your air conditioner. You can either keep a check by yourself or have a contract with an authenticated service provider that performs routine maintenance of your AC unit.
In today’s post, we’re going to cover some common ac problems that could help you with diagnosing minor issues with your own AC unit. If your air conditioner needs extensive repairs or you’re experiencing major issues, call for expert help instead. Otherwise, you risk causing more damage and dealing with more expensive repairs or replacements.
First, let’s talk more about why effective air conditioning is so important in the first place.
The Importance of Air Conditioning
Nowadays, air conditioners have become a vital part of our lifestyle. It’s hard to imagine life in Florida without air conditioning at shopping malls, restaurants, offices, hospitals, and our homes.
HVAC systems not only provide a comfortable environment but also ensure safe and healthy air in the environment. They’re also especially crucial for people who have asthma or other allergies. Hi-tech air conditioners filter the air from various allergens and bacteria, making the atmosphere more comfortable and the air more breathable.
10 Common Home Air Conditioner Issues
Understanding some of the common air conditioner issues can save you discomfort or frustration if your AC unit is acting up.
Here are the ten most common issues that you might face with your air conditioner.
Air Conditioner Is Not Turning On
If your air conditioner is not turning on, you should start your troubleshooting with the thermostat. A great first place to start is checking the batteries to ensure they aren’t dead.
If there isn’t an issue with the batteries, check for the thermostat settings. The thermostat must be in the cooling mode to blow cool air. Further, the temperature should be lower than the room temperature to turn on the AC.
If the thermostat’s batteries are fine and the settings are also perfect, but the AC unit is still not working, consider checking the circuit breaker. A tripped breaker might be the reason behind the problem.
If the problem persists, contact an HVAC specialist to find the real reason behind the issue.
Air Condit Airioner Not Blowing Cold
If your air conditioner is running but not blowing cold air, it might be due to a clogged or dirty air filter. A dirty air filter affects the airflow of your AC unit.
Most air conditioners require changing air filters once every month. You can consult the manufacturer’s guide to know the correct time for changing the filters as a part of routine maintenance.
In extreme cases, a clogged air filter can cause your evaporator coil to freeze. It is recommended to clean or change your air filters to avoid any damage.
Air Conditioner Freezing Up Outside Unit
One of the common air conditioners difficulty you could face is frozen evaporator and condenser coils. Evaporator coils absorb the indoor heat. This heat absorption process builds up condensation on the coil.
Here are some reasons your evaporator coil could be freezing:
- Dirty or clogged air filter
- Low refrigerant level
- Lower outside temperature
- Problem with a blower motor
Frozen coils affect the cooling ability of the air conditioner. If you find frozen evaporator coils, turn off your AC unit and let the coils defrost.
At the same time, dirt and debris in the outdoor unit can cause the condenser coil to freeze. Try cleaning the coil to avoid this air conditioner problem. If the issue continues, contact your HVAC service provider for assistance.
AC Refrigerant Leak
For efficient air conditioning, the refrigerant charge must match the manufacturer’s requirements. Overcharged or undercharged air conditioners never perform accurately.
Continuous temperature fluctuations or lower cooling efficiency point towards a refrigerant leak.
A refrigerant leak can result in:
- More power consumption
- Low efficiency
- Temperature fluctuations
- Damaged compressor
- Coil freezing
It is necessary to repair the refrigerant leaks as soon as possible to avoid any harmful effects on the environment. For this, call for home air conditioning service to fix the leak and recharge the air conditioner. It’s also advisable to check the AC unit for possible refrigerant leaks during routine maintenance.
Air Conditioner Making Noises
You might hear various sounds coming out of your air conditioner. You will be surprised to learn how different sounds point towards specific problems with your air conditioner.
Here are some common sounds associated with HVAC problems:
- Continuous clicking sound points towards a bad thermostat. If you ignore it, you might face bigger issues over time.
- Squealing sounds refer to issues with belts or fan motors. Sometimes belts wear out or go out of alignment producing squealing sounds. A malfunctioning blower wheel or fan motor also produces a similar sound.
- If the motor bearings are out of order, you might hear grinding noises.
- Loose cover panels can create a rattling sound.
- A compressor produces a banging sound if something is broken inside. You might have to replace the compressor in case of damage.
- Screaming noises point towards a refrigerant leak. In this case, turn off the air conditioner and call a home air conditioning service provider.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil takes the hot air from inside and returns cool air through air ducts. If the coil does not receive enough air, it might result in a frozen evaporator coil.
Several factors affect the supply of air to the coil, such as:
- Blocked ducts can obstruct proper air supply to the coil
- Dirty or clogged air filters also affect the amount of air entering the system
- A fault in the blower fan also results in a frozen coil
- The lower refrigerant level is another cause of frozen evaporator coil.
For any of the above-mentioned reasons, you must call an HVAC expert to help you out with this air conditioner problem.
Electric Control Failure
Frequently switching on and off an air conditioner can result in damaging the compressor and fan controls. When you turn on your air conditioner, a connection is required between the fan motor, blower motor, and compressor. A connection problem between these components can affect the normal operation of the air unit.
Another reason for electric control failure is the corrosive terminals and wires in the systems. It can result in a lost connection and therefore, must be addressed in a timely manner.
Call an HVAC expert to examine the air conditioner and fix the problem!
Water Leakage From Air Conditioner
There are two situations where water coming out of the indoor or outdoor unit is not a problem.
- When the temperature outside is very high, then the water coming out of the air conditioner while it’s running is typically normal.
- During winter, you may see water leakage from the outdoor unit. This is mainly because the condenser may freeze up and start leaking water when it melts.
Other factors that cause water leakage from air conditioner are:
- A blocked drain pipe
- Clogged air filters
- Broken condensate pan
- Improper installation
- Low refrigerant levels
Drainage Problem
A clogged AC drain line is another common problem that many air conditioners face with time. The main reason behind a clogged drain line is the condensation process.
When evaporator coils take in air from indoors, the dust particles also enter the system. During condensation, the dust combines with moisture and turns into mud. The mud then reaches the drain line causing clogs with time.
Moreover, if excess water is not drained off properly, it can cause fungus, algae, and mildew to grow in drain lines causing clogs. It can also result in an unpleasant smell coming out of the blower.
To deal with this air conditioner problem, you need professional help. Contact a home AC repair service provider to remove clogs from the drain line and perform regular maintenance.
Sensor Problem
Air conditioners have thermostat sensors inside the control panel. They are located beside evaporator coils to measure the temperature of the air coming to the coils from the room. These sensors are responsible for controlling the temperature inside the room.
If the sensors move out of their position, your air conditioner might behave abruptly or start turning on and off randomly. To fix this problem, you need to place the sensors just close to the evaporator coil without touching the coil. You can use the wire attached to the sensor to place it correctly.
Call A/C Care for Help
These are some of the most common problems homeowners face with their air conditioner units. As you’ve seen, some problems can be solved without the help of a professional technician but some require an HVAC expert to avoid any damage to the unit.
In addition to performing regular AC maintenance, be sure to call for professional help with air conditioner problems. If you’re in South Florida, A/C Care Heat & Air is here to help you enjoy summer to the fullest. Contact us to learn more about our maintenance, repair, and installation services.