What Are The Most Common Air Conditioner Problems?

Your air conditioning system is a workhorse – a machine that is specifically built to last and withstand wear and tear. But no matter how rugged or tough it is, there will always come a time that it will eventually fail you. Air conditioner problems are common and most of them arise from improper operation. But as the owner of the equipment, you’re responsible for having it repaired once a problem or issue surfaces. But don’t get us wrong – you don’t have to do the fixing yourself, especially if you’re not an expert. The reason why you need to know what the common problems are is to figure out if something is really wrong. You can’t afford to call an HVAC professional just because your system didn’t turn on, when in fact there’s only a slight issue you can handle on your own.

(photo credit: ThatsMyOldHouse.com)

It makes a lot of sense if we first talk about those issues that may be handled by you on your own. See this set of troubleshooting tips from AngiesList.com, in the article “Troubleshooting Common Air Conditioning Problems.”

Air condenser isn’t running

If your condenser isn’t running, check the power to make sure the unit is plugged in. If so, check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Restore the power and see if it starts.

Another potential cause is a thermostat that isn’t set properly. Lower the thermostat by five degrees and see if it kicks on. If not, the problem is likely a faulty motor or compressor. You’ll need to get professional help to fix that problem.

Inadequate air cooling

If the central air conditioning unit doesn’t seem to be cooling your home adequately, start by lowering the thermostat five degrees. If that does not fix the problem, you may have a dirty evaporator. Carefully clean the evaporator and let it run for a few hours. If the problem remains, it could mean you have an improperly sized air conditioner.

Keep in mind that an extremely hot day may impact your unit’s effectiveness. If temperatures outside are over 100 degrees, you may not be able to achieve 62 degrees inside your home no matter how much your A/C blows cold air, especially if you have a lot of windows letting in the sun’s energy. Always consult with a professional before making the decision to replace your A/C unit, especially if temperatures have been unusually high.

Air unit runs but doesn’t cool

If your A/C isn’t cooling your house even though it’s running, you should still check the thermostat. Next, take a look at the condenser. Is it dirty or blocked? If so, clean it and remove the blockage. The condenser can become blocked by tall weeds, grass or other airborne debris.

If the A/C still isn’t blowing cold air, this could be the result of a faulty compressor or an inadequate amount of refrigerant in the system. Again, these are problems that a professional needs to address.

Air unit shuts on and off repeatedly

This is another problem that can happen with a dirty or blocked condenser unit, as well as a dirty evaporator. Most of the time, giving the entire unit a good cleaning and removing any obstructions will eliminate the problem.

Read the entirety of this article here.

Be reminded though that if you really aren’t confident on your skills, don’t bother. You might end up just causing more problems to your equipment. What you can do instead is simply maintain your unit the way it is supposed to be maintained in order to prevent or at least delay future problems.

For those problems that need the expertise of an HVAC technician on the other hand, what is at stake is not just your own comfort but also the life of your equipment. Energy.gov details those problems in the article “Common Air Conditioner Problems.”

REFRIGERANT LEAKS
If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, either it was undercharged at installation or it leaks. If it leaks, simply adding refrigerant is not a solution. A trained technician should fix any leak, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant. Remember that the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner is greatest when the refrigerant charge exactly matches the manufacturer’s specification, and is neither undercharged nor overcharged. Refrigerant leaks can also be harmful to the environment.

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE
If you allow filters and air conditioning coils to become dirty, the air conditioner will not work properly, and the compressor or fans are likely to fail prematurely.

ELECTRIC CONTROL FAILURE
The compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner turns on and off frequently, as is common when a system is oversized. Because corrosion of wire and terminals is also a problem in many systems, electrical connections and contacts should be checked during a professional service call.

SENSOR PROBLEMS
Room air conditioners feature a thermostat sensor, located behind the control panel, which measures the temperature of air coming into the evaporative coil. If the sensor is knocked out of position, the air conditioner could cycle constantly or behave erratically. The sensor should be near the coil but not touching it; adjust its position by carefully bending the wire that holds it in place.

DRAINAGE PROBLEMS
When it’s humid outside, check the condensate drain to make sure it isn’t clogged and is draining properly. Room air conditioners may not drain properly if not mounted level.

Source: http://energy.gov/energysaver/common-air-conditioner-problems

While most of those mentioned problems are difficult or even impossible to avoid, there’s one that is entirely your fault – inadequate maintenance. You see, changing your filters are easier than changing the locks on your doors, so don’t make it an excuse to say that you can’t do it.

Lastly, see some more common problems of your air conditioner and how to fix them, courtesy of the article “Simple Fixes For Some Top Air Conditioner Problems” from American Home Shield.

Problem: You’re not sure if your a/c is ready to handle the heat.

Try this: Call a qualified air conditioning professional to service your system a month or so before you expect temperatures to rise in your area. An annual service and inspection gives your technician an opportunity to perform some important checks and preventive maintenance tasks to help your system run smoothly.

Problem: Your electric bills are a bit higher than you expected and you’re not sure your air conditioning system is cooling as efficiently as it should.

Try this: Check your cooling filters each month while the system is in use and replace when needed. Clogged filters can impede airflow as well as allow dirt to enter the system, which can potentially cause damage. Regularly replacing your air conditioning filters is an easy way to increase your unit’s efficiency and avoid costly repairs.

Problem: The air conditioner isn’t making the air cold enough.

Try this: Keep the air around the exterior condensing unit clear of leaves, shrubbery, twigs, and debris to make sure the air around the unit is circulating freely and nothing is falling inside the unit. If your unit sits in full sun, try creating some shade around it to help it cool more efficiently. Check the unit’s suction line (large line) for signs of wear and replace any worn insulation.

Problem: Water from the unit is leaking into the walls or ceiling.

Try this: Make sure the drain line isn’t restricted and condensation is draining freely. Your system’s condensate drain line may need cleaning.

Problem: The unit constantly cycles on and off.

Try this: Call a qualified air conditioning professional to clean the evaporator unit and fan.

Problem: You want to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home as inexpensively as possible.

Try this: Install a programmable thermostat to help keep costs down and to lower wear and tear on your air conditioning system. You can program the thermostat to let the heat rise during the hours that you are away from the home, and then lower the room temperature when people are present. In addition to maximizing convenience and comfort, a programmable thermostat can also help you save on electricity costs. You can find programmable thermostats in most hardware and home stores.

Problem: You’re worried that a potential air conditioning repair may bust your budget.

Try this: Consider home warranty coverage to help you protect this important home system (and your wallet) in the event of covered breakdowns.

See the original version of the article here.

So right before the summer begins, you should make it a priority to learn about the problems and issues linked to you AC system. It definitely makes a lot of sense if you find time to know them so you won’t put yourself at a compromising situation later on.