August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner malfunctions, you want to get the issue resolved as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there can be hundreds of reasons why your cooling 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 Komfort Air Service Experts Expert is reviewing available choices 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 break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat tells your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are inaccurate, your air conditioner may not run 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 short checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and functioning 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 preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters could cause multiple problems, like reduced airflow, poorer indoor air quality and excessive power usage. They can also make an AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil ices over.
You can easily minimize AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know whether 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 basic guideline, make sure you try to change flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are important 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 handle the cooling process as smoothly, and in some cases sufficient ice can stop the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be related to several issues, such as:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce 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 can take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air over the coils without beginning a cooling cycle.
It’s smart to examine the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other challenges, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have adequate 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 forming on the evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed before 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being produced due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to fix.
If your R-22 air conditioning system has a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment.
We understand that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to retain any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioner uses a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve overlooked air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to stay in the drain line. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch off your air conditioner to minimize damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioning system is repeatedly 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 due to inadequate refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn 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.
As we outlined earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will need to be taken care of by an HVAC expert like Komfort Air Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
A faulty cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is an annoying error when the unit turns off before the set temperature has made its way through the entire house. If you suspect your air conditioner is short cycling, watch how long the air is on before it switches off. Your standard air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is running on and off in quick bursts.
This places heavy strain on moving parts and key components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of irregular cooling cycles are frequently a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components switch the AC off. This happens again and again, especially if the real cause of the overheating isn’t dealt with.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The ideal way for you to avoid air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance plan. At Komfort Air Service Experts, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and fixed through routine tune-ups.
In some cases 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 sign up for a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Contact us at 704-705-8135 today!