Having a functional air conditioner is essential for getting through a hot summer. Whether you have a window unit or central AC, you should know that even when it breaks down, there are plenty of ways to repair an air conditioner. With this in mind, here are some common air conditioner problems and how to fix them.
Your Air Conditioner Is Constantly Running
When it’s hot out, you will probably keep your air conditioner on for longer periods. However, to preserve the functionality of your system, you should turn it off occasionally so that it doesn’t overheat. If your AC won’t turn off, one of the most common issues is due to the mechanical parts in the machine.
Some of the components you should look at include the electrical pieces, air filter, air compressor, and thermostat. To solve this issue, turn off your thermostat fan and see if that will shut off your air conditioning. You may want to reach out to an HVAC repair technician if this doesn’t work.
The AC Won’t Turn On
Waking up in the brutal heat because your air conditioner won’t turn on is frustrating. If your AC doesn’t turn on at all, the problem might be due to a tripped-up circuit breaker.
Usually, electrical issues are at play when your AC doesn’t turn on, so you might want to make sure that there isn’t any loose wiring or faults within your thermostat. For this issue, seek out the help of an HVAC technician to rewire the circuit in your thermostat.
Air Won’t Come Out
Sometimes your AC will be running, but no air is coming through the ducts, or the air that’s coming out isn’t cool. Usually, it’s another issue related to your circuit breaker when this happens. On the other hand, the problem may also be due to a worn-out blower belt for your AC, which means you should replace it.
Lastly, low levels of refrigerant could be causing your system to overheat. Regardless of which problem is causing this, getting your system tuned up regularly will help you prevent this issue from occurring. Having your system regularly inspected and tuned up is an effective way to save on repair costs down the line.
Hot Air Is Coming out Instead of Cold Air
If your AC is blowing out hot air rather than cold air, it can cause you to experience severe dehydration. Therefore, you should try to prevent this at all costs. When hot air is the only thing coming out of your machine, it could mean that you need to clean or replace the air filter in your HVAC system.
Luckily, this is a quick fix, so all you need to do is buy a new filter or clean off the one you already have. If you are in the market for a new filter, AAF Flanders filters are a great choice because they’re high-quality and prevent airborne pathogens such as mold, pollen, and pet dander from circulating throughout your home. Flanders filters distributors should be able to help you figure out which air filter model is right for your system.
Water or Refrigerant Is Leaking out of Your Unit
Detecting a refrigerant leak can be a challenge for most homeowners. Nonetheless, if your AC unit has bright stains, you should know that this is a common sign of a refrigerant or water leak. These lines tend to appear when moisture degrades your lines and connections over time.
Although condensation buildup on your AC unit is normal, excessive moisture could signify bigger problems. One potential cause of this issue could be blocked pipes or problems with your condensate pumps, causing water to leak.
As soon as you notice this issue taking place, turn off your air conditioner immediately. When refrigerant levels are low, it could severely damage your AC’s compressor because there’s no lubrication. Thankfully, routine maintenance should prevent this issue from arising.
Your AC Is Constantly Turning On and Off
Better known as short cycling, when your AC is turning off and on all the time, it means that it can’t complete a full cooling cycle. This causes your machine to keep restarting over and over again, thus damaging your compressor further.
Two culprits that might be impeding your machine’s ability to complete a full cycle are an improperly calibrated thermostat and a clogged air filter. Checking out these two things should get your machine back in working order, but if this doesn’t solve the issue, seek help from a professional.
Your AC Is Freezing
If your AC is working too hard, you might notice ice starting to appear around the coil or the copper line set. Not only does this damage your unit, but it also causes your electrical bill to skyrocket, costing you precious dollars.
Naturally, your air conditioner will work harder during the summertime, but freezing isn’t normal. This should warrant an inspection of your ducts, condenser, and blower fan to ensure that they are functioning as intended. A frozen AC unit might occur if your air filter is dirty or your condenser unit is inefficient.
You Hear Strange Noises Coming from Your AC Unit
A major red flag for your AC unit is when you start hearing strange noises such as a squeal, rough grinding, or vigorous vibrations. When the belt gets unaligned, this usually leads to a squealing sound, so having it put back in its place should resolve that issue.
However, a grinding noise will usually signal a more serious issue related to the motor bearings. Keeping your bearings lubricated will allow you to maintain them and prevent damage.
The Air Conditioner Keeps Blowing a Fuse
A frustrating experience on a hot day is to have your power go out when you turn on the AC. If your unit trips the breaker every time you turn it on, your HVAC technician may have installed it improperly.
As the old saying goes, “you get what you paid for.” If you hired a cheap contractor to install your system, they might have made some mistakes that are causing your AC to overload the circuit. Circuit breakers and wiring have specific ratings for their energy capacity.
If the output of your AC is greater than your circuit breaker’s capability, it will cause it to short. Installing a unit with the proper rating will help you eliminate this problem once and for all.
Overall, you don’t deserve to boil just because your AC unit isn’t working. Now that you know a few common air conditioner problems and how to fix them, you shouldn’t have to worry about them this summer.
