August 3, 2022
When your home’s cooling goes on the fritz, you want to get the issue resolved as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there may be dozens of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a handful of problems that are more prevalent, and determining what they are is handy when your Rolf Griffin Service Experts Expert is discussing available choices for solving the problem through 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 air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are inaccurate, your air conditioning might not work correctly. And if the batteries ran out in a programmable thermostat, it won't be accessible at all. Follow this quick checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and functioning properly:
- Swap out batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Verify that it’s switched to cooling mode
- Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Dirty or inefficient air filters are known for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What's more, dirty filters can cause a number of problems, including decreased airflow, poorer indoor air quality and higher power consumption. They can also make an AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily minimize AC problems by consistently cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know when you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a general recommendation, 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 essential components because they emit 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 manage the cooling process as easily, and in severe cases the ice can stop the AC from running outright.
Freezing can be linked 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 trigger moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power
If your air conditioner is frozen, turn 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 will blow warm air across the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle.
It’s a good idea to examine your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other issues, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re dealing with a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home seems humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Dripping or hissing air conditioner noises
- Sweet smell close to the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed before 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more costly to repair.
If your R-22 air conditioning system is struggling with a refrigerant leak, we suggest air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment.
We realize that replacing your air conditioner can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which provides you a new air conditioner for just one reasonable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to keep any useful manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning uses 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 stay in the drain line. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Shut off your air conditioner to avoid damage and call us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a few reasons why your air conditioning system won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are several of the most common ones:
- Dirty air filter is severely limiting airflow.
- Your air conditioner overheated because of a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restraining airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has failed and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is malfunctioning.
- Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has failed.
As we outlined earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will need to be addressed by an HVAC expert like Rolf Griffin Service Experts .
7. Short Cycling
A faulty cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an irritating malfunction when the system turns off before the set temperature has made its way through the entire house. If you think your cooling is short cycling, watch how long the air is running before it shuts off. Your standard air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is running on and off in quick bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and key components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any type of abnormal cooling cycles are often a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components switch the AC off. This happens repeatedly, especially if the real cause of the overheating isn’t dealt with.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The ideal way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance agreement. At Rolf Griffin Service Experts , we provide several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and corrected during routine tune-ups.
Occasionally 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 join a membership program or to request your repair appointment? Contact us at 260-557-1275 today!