August 3, 2022
When your home’s AC system goes on the fritz, you should try to get the issue resolved as soon as possible. Annoyingly, there may be dozens of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a few problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is beneficial when your Barlow Service Experts Expert is reviewing available choices for solving 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 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 wrong, your air conditioner may not work like it should. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you'll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Follow 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)
- Verify 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 efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What's more, dirty filters will sometimes cause lots of problems, such as weaker 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 reduce the risk of AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know when 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 general recommendation, 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 important components because they emit heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as easily, and in certain cases the ice can block the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be connected 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 decrease cooling power
If your air conditioner is frozen, shut it off and let the ice melt. This will sometimes 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 going through a cooling cycle.
It’s recommended to examine 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, are best handled with professional help.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system needs refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re facing a leak:
- Inadequate cold air
- Home is humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a consequence of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to fix.
If your R-22 air conditioner is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment.
We recognize that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which provides you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to proceed with any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioner utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it eliminates from the air. If you’ve skipped 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.
Switch off your air conditioner to prevent damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a few reasons why your cooling won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly restricting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system is overheating due to a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is malfunctioning.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has broken down.
As we discussed earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will need to be addressed by an HVAC pro like Barlow Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an annoying malfunction when the system shuts down before the expected temperature has covered the entire house. If you believe your cooling is short cycling, listen to how long the air is on before it turns off. Your ordinary air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for around a similar 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 critical components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of atypical cooling cycles are frequently a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components shut the AC off. This happens repeatedly, particularly if the root cause of the overheating isn’t dealt with.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The number one way for you to minimize air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance program. At Barlow Service Experts, we provide several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and corrected through routine tune-ups.
Occasionally repairs are inescapable, 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 enroll in a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Get in touch with us at 801-436-8985 today!