August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner breaks down, you deserve to get the issue resolved right away. Unfortunately, there can be hundreds of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a few problems that are more prevalent, and recognizing what they are is helpful when your Gordon's Service Experts Expert is going over options for solving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your cooling system to stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat directs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are inaccurate, your cooling might not run correctly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, it won't be accessible at all. Try this brief checklist to confirm your thermostat is receiving power and working properly:
- Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Check that it’s in cooling mode
- Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Old or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and reliable air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters can cause multiple problems, including reduced airflow, poorer indoor air quality and excessive power use. They can also make the AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by consistently cleaning or replacing the 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 certainly time to. But for a standard rule of thumb, make sure you try to change flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are important components because they release heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even during the summer, ice can build up on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as precisely, and in some cases sufficient ice can stop the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be related to multiple issues, such as:
- 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 is frozen, shut it off and let the coils thaw. This can take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air over the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle.
It’s a good idea to check your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other problems, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional help.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Insufficient cold air
- Home is humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Ice on the evaporator coils
- Dribbling or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell nearby the air conditioner
If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a consequence of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled portions of Freon are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to fix.
If your R-22 AC unit is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment.
We understand that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which offers you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are incorporated, and you’ll get to retain any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning needs a condensate drain line to flush water it eliminates from the air. If you’ve overlooked air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become clogged with mold and cause water to flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Turn off your air conditioner to minimize damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for assistance.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioning system won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly limiting airflow.
- Your cooling overheated caused by inadequate refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is defective.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is malfunctioning.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has broken down.
Like we discussed earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC expert like Gordon's Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
An insufficient cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is a frustrating issue when the system shuts down before the set temperature has covered the entire house. If you believe your cooling is short cycling, watch how long the air is active before it switches 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 conditioner is switching on and off in short bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and key components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of atypical cooling cycles are often a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before 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 prevent air conditioning problems is to sign up for a preventive maintenance program. At Gordon's Service Experts, we offer several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and fixed through routine service.
In some cases repairs are unavoidable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll enjoy 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? Get in touch with us at 405-432-2197 today!