Over 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released to the air every year. The volume amounts to 2 tons per home, via air conditioners. It is, therefore, paramount that homeowners call professionals to carry out routine maintenance and fix AC problems.
Regular AC maintenance spares you from dealing with many repairs. It is advisable to check the A/C before the onset of the summer season so you’re not caught without air conditioning when you need it most.
Many issues can cause hitches to your air conditioner. However, there are some common ones that we will address and ways to fix them.
1. Dirty Air Conditioner Filter
A dirty air conditioner filter impairs airflow and subsequently causes clogging of the entire system. When the ac clogs, it can freeze and break down. Avoid this and follow the timeline recommended by the manufacturer to clean or replace the filter.
When your air conditioner is blowing hot air and is not cooling, check the filter. A quick fix is easy, and you can handle it yourself to fix this AC problem. The problematic part is forgetting to carry out the routine checks. You can contract air conditioning companies for annual inspections, which include air flow measurements and cleaning of the air filter.
2. Thermostat Incorrect settings
When your air conditioner doesn’t kick on, first check the thermostat settings. If you establish the setting is correct, check the thermostat interior to ensure it’s clean. The thermostat should be level and not exposed to direct sunlight in order for it to work properly.
If you have frequent problems with the thermostat setting and actual temperatures, then there is probably a calibration issue. An air conditioning service company will recalibrate the thermostat to get an accurate setting. If it happens often, consider getting a digital thermostat to heighten accuracy.
3. Refrigerant Levels and Leaks
Your AC could have a low refrigerant level if the temperature indoors is fluctuating and not cooling as expected. The standard rule is, the AC should never use up the refrigerant. If the refrigerant is always full, consistent coolant levels will prevail.
When the refrigerant is low, it means that your air conditioner is leaking. Adding refrigerant is equated to recharging the air conditioner, which should only be handled by an HVAC company.
The HVAC technician will find the location of the leak and perform the necessary repair of the AC system.
4. Wiring and Electrical Issues
If your AC isn’t emitting air, it’s likely that the fan in the unit outside has stopped working and you are dealing with a more significant AC problem. You can check your breaker box. If the switch has tripped, restart it by moving it switching it off and on again.
If a power surge caused the trip, the AC should be back to working condition. If the breaker shuts down again, you could be dealing with a problem in wiring and electrical. A short circuit will cause a trip on the circuit breaker whenever the air conditioner tries to power on.
An electrical short circuit should be addressed urgently. It can cause far-reaching damages such as abrupt fires. If you are in doubt of the problem, contact your air conditioner service provider to help diagnose the problem. The problem may need to be addressed by an electrician.
5. Burnt out Capacitors
A faulty or burnt out capacitor will stop the fan from engaging. Capacitors facilitate the air conditioner by providing the jolt needed for the motor to start. If you notice a clicking sound when you power on the AC, beware of a failing capacitor.
If there is a humming sound, it indicates that the motor is attempting to kick start. The capacitor is related to the motor. It is advisable that you fix the problem as soon as you can to avoid expensive repairs on the motor.
A capacitor should be fixed by a professional because leaking oils are dangerous to an unskilled person. You should contact the air conditioner service provider to have regular checks on the system. The contractor ensures that the motor and capacitor are always in good shape to avoid recurrent ac problems.
6. The Compressor
The compressor is an essential component of an air conditioner system. It regulates pressure and maintains a proper flow of the refrigerant.
Dirty coils, faulty capacitors, and low refrigerant levels can affect the functionality of a compressor.
If you notice the air blowing from our AC is not as cold as it should, contact your air conditioner contractor immediately. Many problems caused by a compressor can go unnoticed, if not handled by a professional.
7. Worn Contactor
Contactors in an AC unit are in the compressor, condenser fan motor and blower motor. They all make a series of electrical connections that starts the compressor and motor. If the contactor is pitting and arcing, the electrical current cannot start the motors.
Simple electrical know-how comes in handy to fix the contactor successfully. If the replacement does not solve the problem, contact your air conditioning service to check the unit.
AC Problems – Final Thought
The air conditioner can fail due to relatively common AC problems, many of which result from neglect. After a proper diagnosis and professional repairs, it’s best to schedule a regular yearly maintenance of your ac system as well as frequent cleaning or replacement of your filter so you catch any potential problems before they become become costly repairs. Do not wait for the summer to test your AC. If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to us.
For air conditioning repair and maintenance tips, please check our video:
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