Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s AC system breaks down, you want to get the issue resolved right away. Annoyingly, there can be hundreds of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a few problems that are more prevalent, and identifying what they are is beneficial when your Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Expert is going over available choices for solving 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 air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are inaccurate, your cooling may not function correctly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Try this quick checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and functioning 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 set 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. In addition, dirty filters can cause a number of problems, like reduced airflow, lower indoor air quality and higher power usage. They can also make the AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil ices over. 

You can easily avoid AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost certainly time to. But for a standard recommendation, make sure you try to change flat filters once a 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 during the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as precisely, and in severe cases the ice can stop the AC from running outright. 

Freezing can be connected to different issues, such as: 

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

• Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power 

If your air conditioner is frozen, shut it off and let the ice on the coils melt. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can quicken the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air across the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle. 

It’s recommended to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other problems, including dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will need professional help. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re facing a leak: 

• Not enough cold air 
• Home feels humid 
• Longer than normal cooling cycles 
• Ice forming on the evaporator coils 
• Dribbling or hissing air conditioner noises 

• Sweet smell around the air conditioner 

If your air conditioning system was installed prior to 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a consequence of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are accessible, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to fix. 

If your R-22 air conditioner is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is superior for the environment. 

We recognize that replacing your cooling can be an emergency that you aren’t ready for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to proceed with any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates. 

5. Water Leak 

Your air conditioner utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it strips 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. 

Shut off your air conditioner to prevent damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for assistance. 

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker 

There can be a number of 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 significantly limiting airflow. 

• Your air conditioning system overheated caused by a lack of refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are damaged or loose. 
• Blower motor is malfunctioning. 

• Compressor is drawing excess power or wiring is faulty. 
• Capacitor responsible for starting the compressor has gone out. 

As we mentioned earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems should be resolved by an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

7. Short Cycling 

An improper cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is a frustrating issue when the system shuts down before the expected temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you suspect your AC unit is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is on before it switches off. Your average air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for close to a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is switching on and off in small bursts. 

This adds heavy strain on moving parts and key components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of irregular cooling cycles are frequently a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components turn the AC off. This happens over and over, especially if the root 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 minimize air conditioning problems is to enroll in a preventive maintenance program. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Inferior wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and solved with routine tune-ups. 

Sometimes repairs are unavoidable, 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 join a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Call us at 866-397-3787 today!