Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s cooling breaks down, you deserve to get the issue taken care of right away. Unfortunately, there may be countless of reasons why your AC unit isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a handful of problems that are more widespread, and identifying what they are is handy when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is discussing routes for solving the problem with air conditioning repair in North America. 

Here are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your cooling system to malfunction. 

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 cooling may not function properly. 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 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 in cooling mode 

• Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature 

2. Dirty Air Filter 

Dirty or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What’s more, dirty filters will sometimes cause multiple problems, including decreased airflow, reduced indoor air quality and excessive power usage. They can also make your air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil ices over. 

You can easily minimize AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know when you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a general guideline, make sure you try to exchange flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months. 

3. Frozen Condenser Coils 

Your air conditioner’s coils are crucial components because they release 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 handle the cooling process as easily, and in severe cases enough ice can block the AC from running at all. 

Freezing can be connected to multiple issues, like: 

• Dirty coils caused by a lack of annual maintenance 
• Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow 
• Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup 

• Refrigerant leaks, which decrease cooling power 

If your air conditioner is frozen, switch it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This blows warm air on the coils without beginning a refrigeration cycle. 

It’s smart to check the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other problems, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need the support of a trained technician. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your cooling uses refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re dealing with a leak: 

• Inadequate cold air 
• Home is humid 
• Excessively long cooling cycles 
• Ice on the evaporator coils 
• Dripping or hissing air conditioner sounds 

• Sweet smell near the air conditioner 

If your cooling was installed prior to 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being manufactured as a consequence of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct. 

If your R-22 air conditioner is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment. 

We realize that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t ready for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which provides you a new air conditioner for just one reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to keep any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates. 

5. Water Leak 

Your AC unit utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become blocked with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking. 

Turn off your air conditioner to avoid damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for help. 

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker 

There can be a few reasons why your air conditioner keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most common ones: 

• Dirty air filter is severely limiting airflow. 

• Your cooling overheated caused by inadequate refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are damaged or loose. 
• Blower motor is faulty. 

• Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is malfunctioning. 
• Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has broken down. 

As we outlined earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems should be resolved by an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

7. Short Cycling 

An improper cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an annoying issue when the air conditioner shuts down before the expected temperature has covered the remainder of the house. If you think your cooling is short cycling, listen to how long the air is working before it switches off. Your standard air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for about a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is turning on and off in small bursts. 

This places heavy strain on moving parts and critical components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any form of atypical cooling cycles are frequently a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components turn the AC off. This happens over and over, especially if the root cause of the overheating isn’t addressed. 

Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs 

The number one way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance program. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we provide several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and fixed with routine maintenance. 

Occasionally repairs are inescapable, 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 join a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Call us at 866-397-3787 today!