August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you want to get the problem taken care of right away. Unfortunately, there could be countless of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a number of problems that are more common, and determining what they are is helpful when your Strand Brothers Service Experts Expert is discussing 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 cooling system to break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat instructs your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If the thermostat settings are wrong, your air conditioner might not run correctly. And if the batteries have died in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Run through this short checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:
- Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Verify that it’s in cooling mode
- Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are infamous 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, like decreased airflow, lower indoor air quality and greater power usage. They can also make an air conditioner 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 when you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost surely time to. But for a standard rule of thumb, make sure you try to replace flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are important components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the summer, ice can develop on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as precisely, and in some cases sufficient ice can keep the AC from running entirely.
Freezing can be related to several issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which lessen cooling power
If your air conditioner is frozen, switch it off and let the coils thaw. This will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air on the coils without beginning a cooling cycle.
It’s smart to inspect the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other issues, including dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioning system needs refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re facing a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home seems humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your cooling was installed prior to 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to correct.
If your R-22 air conditioner is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment.
We recognize that replacing your air conditioner 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 affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to proceed with any valuable 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 overlooked 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.
Shut off your air conditioner to avoid damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple 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 severely restricting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system overheated because of inadequate refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are strained or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has broken down.
As we outlined earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will have to be addressed by an HVAC expert like Strand Brothers Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
A faulty cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is a frustrating error when the air conditioner turns off before the set temperature has covered the entire house. If you suspect your air conditioner is short cycling, listen to how long the air is on before it shuts off. Your ordinary air conditioner generally 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 turning on and off in quick bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and key components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any form of atypical cooling cycles are routinely a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components turn the AC off. This happens repeatedly, particularly 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 prevent air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance program. At Strand Brothers Service Experts, we provide several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and solved through routine maintenance.
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 arrange your repair appointment? Call us at 512-592-3072 today!