August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner malfunctions, you deserve to get the problem resolved right away. However, there may be hundreds 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 widespread, and determining what they are is beneficial when your Jack Nelson Service Experts Expert is discussing available choices for solving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioning to stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat instructs your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are incorrect, your air conditioning might not function like it should. And if the batteries have 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)
- 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 known 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, reduced indoor air quality and greater power usage. They can also make an air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes up.
You can easily avoid AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if 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 standard guideline, make sure you try to exchange flat filters every 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 summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as easily, and in severe cases the ice can block the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be connected to multiple issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by a lack of annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which obstruct airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner has frozen, switch it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air over the coils without beginning a refrigeration cycle.
It’s recommended to check the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other issues, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home seems humid
- Extended cooling cycles
- Ice forming 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 probably uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being manufactured because of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to correct.
If your R-22 air conditioning system has a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment.
We recognize 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 low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to keep any valuable manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioner uses 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 stay in the drain line. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Shut off your air conditioner to avoid damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple of reasons why your cooling keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly limiting airflow.
- Your cooling overheated because of a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is faulty.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has failed.
Like we discussed earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will have to be addressed by an HVAC pro like Jack Nelson Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is an irritating error when the system shuts off before the expected temperature has covered the rest of the house. If you think your AC unit is short cycling, watch how long the air is running before it turns off. Your average air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for close to an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is turning on and off in quick bursts.
This places heavy strain on moving parts and critical components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any form of irregular cooling cycles are often a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components turn the AC off. This happens again and again, especially if the real 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 prevent air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Jack Nelson Service Experts, we provide several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and solved during routine maintenance.
In some cases 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 sign up for a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Contact us at 918-212-8927 today!