Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you want to get the situation taken care of at the earliest opportunity. However, there could be hundreds of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t functioning properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a number of problems that are more common, and identifying what they are is helpful when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is discussing available choices for resolving the problem through 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 instructs your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are inaccurate, your air conditioning may not function properly. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you’ll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Try this brief checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and working properly: 

• Swap out batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models) 
• Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models) 
• Check that it’s switched to cooling mode 

• Ensure your set temperature is below the current room temperature 

2. Dirty Air Filter 

Dirty or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What’s more, dirty filters will sometimes cause lots of problems, like decreased airflow, lower indoor air quality and greater power usage. They can also make your AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes. 

You can easily minimize AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know whether you should change your 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 each month and pleated filters every three months. 

3. Frozen Condenser Coils 

Your air conditioner’s coils are crucial 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 regulate the cooling process as precisely, and in certain cases sufficient ice can block the AC from running outright. 

Freezing can be linked to several issues, including: 

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

• Refrigerant leaks, which lessen cooling power 

If your air conditioner has frozen, switch it off and let the coils thaw. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air across the coils without beginning a cooling cycle. 

It’s recommended to examine your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it out. The other problems, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional help. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re confronting a leak: 

• Inadequate cold air 
• Home feels humid 
• Longer than normal cooling cycles 
• Ice on the evaporator coils 
• Dribbling or hissing air conditioner noises 

• Sweet smell around the air conditioner 

If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being manufactured as a consequence of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly 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. Modern air conditioners use Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment. 

We realize that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which provides you a new air conditioner for just one low 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 uses a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve avoided 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 minimize damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for assistance. 

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker 

There can be a few reasons why your air conditioning system is repeatedly tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most common ones: 

• Dirty air filter is severely constraining airflow. 

• Your air conditioner is overheating because of insufficient refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are damaged or loose. 
• Blower motor is faulty. 

• Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is faulty. 
• Capacitor responsible for starting the compressor has failed. 

Like we discussed earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

7. Short Cycling 

An insufficient cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is an irritating malfunction when the unit shuts down before the desired temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you think your air conditioner is short cycling, listen to how long the air is active before it shuts off. Your ordinary air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for about an equivalent period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is running on and off in quick bursts. 

This places heavy strain on moving parts and critical components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of atypical cooling cycles are often a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components switch the AC off. This happens repeatedly, especially if the real cause of the overheating isn’t dealt with. 

Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs 

The best way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance plan. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and fixed during 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 request your repair appointment? Contact us at 866-397-3787 today!