We all know how essential it is to have a working air conditioning unit during the hot summer months. However, even the best air conditioners can run into problems.
Let’s look at some of the most common air conditioning problems and what you can do to prevent or correct them.
The air conditioner isn’t cooling the house enough.
One of the most common complaints about air conditioners is that they’re not cooling the house enough. If your unit isn’t blowing cold air or seems to be struggling to keep your home cool, there are a few things you can do to help.
Check your air filter.
First, make sure that the air filter is clean and replace it if it’s not. You should also check to see if all of the vents in your house are open and unblocked.
Something as simple as a dirty air filter or blocked vents can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and cause it to work harder than it should, which can lead to decreased cooling capacity in the home.
If you’ve tried these things and your unit is still blowing hot air, it may be time to call a professional service technician.
Check your thermostat
Another common issue is that people have their thermostats set incorrectly or too high. Make sure to check the temperature setting on your thermostat and adjust it if necessary.
Don’t forget about your thermostat’s batteries – if they’re low, it could keep your unit from functioning properly.
Check the capacitor
This is a job better suited for a professional. Capacitors carry high levels of electrical current and can be a dangerous electrical shock hazard if not handled properly. If you suspect this is your issue, contact a professional service technician.
Check your circuit breaker
If your unit is still blowing hot air (or not at all) and you’ve tried the suggestions above, it’s possible that your circuit breaker is tripped. Check to see if it has been flipped off and if so, flip it back on. If the breaker trips again then stop.
Be careful. Breakers trip for a reason, so if you’re not sure why it’s tripped, contact a professional service technician.
Check your condenser coils.
If your A/C condenser is located outside, debris and shrubbery can obstruct your A/C condenser.
Keep the area around your A/C condenser clear and free of obstructions.
Are your coils dirty?
If your condenser coils are dirty, they will not be able to perform their job, which is to remove the heat from the inside of your home and your air conditioner won’t be able to do its job of keeping you and your family cool and comfortable.
We recommend that you don’t try to clean them yourself and contact a professional for assistance. We have seen homeowners do more damage than good when attempting this themselves.
Are your A/C coils or lines frozen?
If your coils and or lines are frozen, it’s possible that you have a refrigerant leak. Contact a professional service technician to have your unit inspected.
Another reason for frozen coils could be that your unit is not receiving enough airflow. Make sure all of the vents in your home are open and your air filter is clean and installed correctly.
Check your evaporator coils.
The evaporator coil of an air conditioner is a crucial component in the cooling process. When they become dirty and or start leaking, it becomes impossible to keep the inside of your home cool and comfortable.
Some of the most common issues we see are:
- Dirty evaporator coils
- Evaporator coil leaking
- Frozen evaporator coils
If your evaporator coils are dirty, they will not be able to perform their job, which is to absorb the heat from the inside of your home and remove the humidity from the air. We recommend that you don’t try to clean them yourself and contact a professional for assistance.
We have seen homeowners do more damage than good when attempting this themselves. If your evaporator coils are not cleaned properly and in good working order, it can cause water damage to the inside of your home.
Your evaporator coils have to be cleaned with a special no-rinse coil cleaner which is a different type of cleaner needed for your condenser coil outside. If your coils are frozen or have a leak, you will need to contact a professional service technician.
The unit is making strange noises.
If your unit is making strange noises, there may be a problem with the compressor or the fan. Some of the most common air conditioner compressor issues we see are:
- Bad bearings in the fan motor
- Failed A/C Compressor
- Bad run Capacitor or Hard Start kit
- Bad Contactor
If your compressor is making strange noises, it’s best to call a professional service technician to diagnose and fix your issues.
Look at this one guy’s example (and learn from his mistakes).
AC is constantly running.
If your AC is constantly running, even when it’s not hot outside, there may be a problem with the unit. It’s important to have your unit checked by a professional service technician to determine the cause of the problem.
Air Conditioner isn’t running at all.
If your air conditioning system isn’t running at all, the first thing you should do is check to see if it’s turned off. It’s also a good idea to check the fuse box or breaker panel and make sure that the breaker hasn’t been flipped off.
If your unit is still not running, there may be a problem with the compressor, the fan motor, the electrical connections, or the blower motor.
The only way to tell for sure is to have a professional service technician come out and take a look.
The unit is leaking water through the ceiling.
If your AC is leaking water through the ceiling, it’s probably time to call a professional service technician. Leaking water can be a sign of a number of different issues, and it’s best to let a professional take a look at it.
Drainage Line
One of the most common reasons for water leaks is a problem with the drain line. Ensure that your unit is draining properly and that the drainage line is clear of obstructions.
Drain Pan
If your drain line is plugged and your unit is not draining correctly, the water will collect in the drain pan underneath the unit. Your air conditioner may turn off when this happens. To fix this, you’ll need to remove the water from the fill pan and get the drain line clear of obstructions.
There’s usually a condensate overflow safety switch in the drain pan that is connected to the electrical wiring of your A/C unit. When the water reaches a certain level, the condensate overflow safety switch will engage and switch off the electricity, which will turn the AC off. If your A/C unit doesn’t have this then you may want to think about having this safety switch installed.
How to prevent common air conditioning problems
You can do a few things to help prevent common air conditioning problems here in South Louisiana.
- Clean your air filter regularly
- Keep the area around your condenser clear and free of obstructions
- Clean your condenser coils regularly
- Make sure your thermostat is set correctly
- Check the capacitor on your AC unit occasionally (best left to a professional service technician)
- Check the Contactor on your AC unit occasionally (best left to a professional service technician)
- Replace the batteries on your thermostat at least once a year
- Pour a little bleach or vinegar into your condensate drainage line at least twice a year
These are just a few tips to help you as a homeowner to prevent common air conditioning problems. Contact a professional service technician for more information or help diagnosing and fixing any specific issues that you may have.
Key Takeaways
Overall, the best way to prevent air conditioning problems is to keep your unit well-maintained. Change your air filter regularly, clean your coils, and make sure the thermostat is set correctly. If you do experience a problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional service technician. They will be able to help better diagnose and fix any specific issues that you may have.
If you’re experiencing any of the common air conditioner problems mentioned in this article, it’s best to contact Summers Air Conditioning and Heating LLC.
We have years of experience diagnosing and fixing these types of issues, and we can help get your AC unit up and running again in no time. Don’t let a faulty AC unit ruin your summer – call us today!
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