August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you want to get the problem dealt with as soon as possible. However, there can be countless of reasons why your cooling isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a number of problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is beneficial when your Donelson Air Service Experts Expert is discussing available choices 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 conditioner to break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat directs your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are wrong, your cooling might not run like it should. And if the batteries have died in a programmable thermostat, you'll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Follow this quick checklist to make sure 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)
- 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 notorious for turning a perfectly functional and reliable air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters could cause lots of problems, including reduced airflow, lower indoor air quality and higher power consumption. They can also make the air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes up.
You can easily minimize AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if you should change your filters? If you can’t think back to the last time you changed them, it’s almost surely time to. But for a basic rule of thumb, make sure you try to change flat filters each month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are crucial 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 regulate the cooling process as precisely, and in severe cases sufficient ice can keep the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be linked to different issues, like:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which obstruct airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which lessen cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, switch it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air over the coils without going through a refrigeration cycle.
It’s smart to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other challenges, including dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling uses refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re facing a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home is humid
- Longer than normal cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed prior to 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to fix.
If your R-22 AC unit is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment.
We recognize 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 covered, and you’ll get to retain any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning uses a condensate drain line to flush water it eliminates from the air. If you’ve avoided air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become blocked with mold and cause water to flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch 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 couple of reasons why your air conditioner won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is gravely limiting airflow.
- Your cooling overheated due to a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are strained or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is malfunctioning.
- Capacitor in control 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 will need to be resolved by an HVAC expert like Donelson Air Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is a frustrating error when the air conditioner shuts off before the expected temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you think your cooling is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is active before it turns off. Your ordinary air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for close to an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is running on and off in short bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and key components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of abnormal cooling cycles are routinely a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components shut the AC off. This happens over and over, 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 prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance plan. At Donelson Air Service Experts, we promote several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and corrected through routine tune-ups.
Occasionally repairs are inevitable, 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 request your repair appointment? Contact us at 615-953-9885 today!