August 3, 2022
When your home’s AC system goes on the fritz, you deserve to get the situation dealt with as soon as possible. Annoyingly, there can be hundreds of reasons why your cooling isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a few problems that are more widespread, and determining what they are is helpful when your Orangutan Home Services Expert is reviewing available choices for resolving 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 directs your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are incorrect, your air conditioner might not work properly. And if the batteries died 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 functioning 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
Dirty or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In fact, dirty filters could cause lots of problems, such as weaker airflow, poorer indoor air quality and greater power use. They can also make the AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost certainly time to. But for a general recommendation, 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 in the middle of the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to manage the cooling process as easily, and in certain cases enough ice can block the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be connected to different issues, such as:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, turn it off and let the coils thaw. This will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air on the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle.
It’s smart to check the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other issues, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner employs refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home seems humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Ice on the evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed before 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a consequence of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to repair.
If your R-22 AC unit is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We realize that replacing your air conditioner 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 included, 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 removes from the air. If you’ve avoided air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Turn off your air conditioner to prevent damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number 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 gravely restricting airflow.
- Your cooling overheated because of a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is malfunctioning.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has broken down.
Like we outlined earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will have to be addressed by an HVAC professional like Orangutan Home Services.
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is an irritating error when the air conditioner shuts down before the expected temperature has covered the rest of the house. If you believe your air conditioner is short cycling, watch how long the air is running before it switches off. Your standard air conditioner usually runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is running on and off in small bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and key components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any form of abnormal cooling cycles are often 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 real cause of the overheating isn’t resolved.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The ideal way for you to minimize air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance program. At Orangutan Home Services, we offer several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and solved through routine tune-ups.
Sometimes repairs are inevitable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll receive special discounts on service, 24/7/365 priority service, no trip or overtime charges and more. Ready to enroll in a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Contact us at 602-906-0111 today!