August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner goes on the fritz, you should try to get the situation dealt with at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, there can be countless of reasons why your cooling isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a few problems that are more prevalent, and identifying what they are is helpful when your Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air Expert is discussing options for fixing the problem with air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioning to stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat tells your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are inaccurate, your air conditioner might not work properly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Try this quick checklist to ensure your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:
- Swap out batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Confirm that it’s currently on cooling mode
- Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Dirty or inefficient air filters are known for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In fact, dirty filters could cause multiple problems, such as reduced airflow, lower indoor air quality and greater power use. They can also make an air conditioning work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily reduce the risk of AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know when 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 standard rule of thumb, 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 essential components because they emit heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the middle of the summer, ice can develop on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to manage the cooling process as precisely, and in certain cases the ice can stop the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be connected to different issues, like:
- Dirty coils caused by insufficient annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner freezes, turn it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air over the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle.
It’s recommended to examine the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other problems, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system employs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re facing a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home is humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dripping or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed earlier than 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being made as a consequence of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to repair.
If your R-22 AC unit is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Modern air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We understand that replacing your cooling 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 low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to retain any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your AC unit utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it strips from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become clogged 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 minimize damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioning system keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly restricting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system overheated caused by a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is malfunctioning.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has failed.
Like we discussed earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems should be resolved by an HVAC professional like Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is a frustrating issue when the air conditioner turns off before the expected temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you suspect your AC unit is short cycling, watch how long the air is working before it turns off. Your ordinary air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for about the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is running on and off in short bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and vital components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any form of abnormal cooling cycles are routinely a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components switch the AC off. This happens over and over, namely if the root cause 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 participate in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air, we offer several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and corrected through routine tune-ups.
In some cases repairs are inevitable, 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? Get in touch with us at 210-404-4233 today!