August 3, 2022
When your home’s cooling breaks down, you should try to get the situation dealt with as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there can be countless of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is causing trouble? There are a number of problems that are more prevalent, and identifying what they are is beneficial when your Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning Expert is discussing available choices for resolving the problem with air conditioning repair in North America.
ere are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioning to stop working.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat instructs your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If its settings are incorrect, your air conditioning may not function like it should. And if the batteries have died in a programmable thermostat, you'll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Follow this brief checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and functioning properly:
- Change batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Confirm that it’s currently on cooling mode
- Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Dirty or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and reliable air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In fact, dirty filters will sometimes cause lots of problems, such as weaker airflow, reduced indoor air quality and excessive power consumption. They can also make your air conditioning work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily avoid AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know whether you should change the filters? If you can’t recall the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a standard rule of thumb, make sure you try to exchange 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 release heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the middle of the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as precisely, and in certain cases sufficient ice can stop the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be connected to multiple issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can result in moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner freezes, switch it off and let the ice melt. This will sometimes take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air across the coils without beginning a cooling cycle.
It’s a good idea to inspect your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other issues, including dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your cooling needs refrigerant to convert heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you might 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
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Ice forming on the evaporator coils
- Dripping or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed earlier than 2011, it likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being manufactured because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct.
If your R-22 AC unit is dealing 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 realize that replacing your AC system can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to proceed with any useful 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 blocked with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Turn off your air conditioner to avoid damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your cooling won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most prevalent ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely limiting airflow.
- Your air conditioner is overheating caused by insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has malfunctioned and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are worn or loose.
- Blower motor is malfunctioning.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has failed.
Like we outlined earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most commonly the culprit. Any other problems will need to be resolved by an HVAC pro like Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an irritating issue when the system shuts off before the desired temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you suspect your cooling is short cycling, listen to how long the air is running before it shuts off. Your standard air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for close to a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioning is turning on and off in small bursts.
This places heavy strain on moving parts and vital components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of abnormal cooling cycles are frequently a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot and then safety components turn the AC off. This happens repeatedly, particularly if the source of the overheating isn’t resolved.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The ideal way for you to minimize air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning, we promote several HVAC memberships to suit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be found and fixed during routine service.
Sometimes repairs are inescapable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll receive 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 schedule your repair appointment? Call us at 215-278-9690 today!