Air Conditioning Troubleshooting: 20 Common Air Conditioner Problems & How to fix them

When you initiate your air conditioning troubleshooting review, the most common fear might be that you will turn your unit on and hear no sound. This can arise solely from the reasons for broken electrical parts and faults in the wiring that services it or could be something as simple as a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Whenever this happens, you need to reset it on the circuit breaker panel. However, if the AC still does not turn on, you may be having trouble with the thermostat of your AC. In some cases, the problem can be because of the blower belt.

Problem 2

Electrical Problems: AC does not Turn Off

If your air conditioner is repeatedly running and cannot reach a set temperature, it might be the reason for the accumulation of dust and grime in your AC filter. This problem can lead to frozen AC coils; the regular AC maintenance is the solution to deal with this.

On the other side, if your AC unit can cool at the desired temperature but continuously running all the time anyway, this can be an issue with the controls. Checking your thermostat and relay switches is a good idea whenever you have trouble turning your AC off. In most cases, you need to replace your thermostat to fix this problem.

Problem 3

Low Refrigerant Charge

Low refrigerant means low pressure that eventually results in low temperatures, freezing the evaporator coil. In most cases, a leak is the only reason why your AC would be low on refrigerant. Only qualified and licensed AC technicians can detect this problem, so don’t try to fix it yourself.

Problem 4

Thermostat Malfunctioning

When you have a malfunctioning thermostat, or it is not correctly calibrated, you will have trouble switching to your AC unit. The dial-type thermostats are more often subject to calibration problems, but sometimes the newer programmable thermostats are also not easy to program. When initiate air conditioning troubleshooting, you should consult your thermostat manual to make sure you have precisely programmed your thermostat.

If you set your thermostat to the lowest temperature and the unit still does not start, it’s probably time to call your professional Air Conditioner repair company. They will most likely have to replace the thermostat.

Problem 5

Condenser Problems

Faulty tubes and leaks within seals cause condenser failure. After extensive use, these tubes can break, and a professional technician can repair them to make your AC work again.

Unwanted particles and debris often lead to condenser problems. The coil of your AC is filled with refrigerant. It absorbs the heat from the surrounding air like a sponge. If something goes wrong with the airflow, the evaporator coil becomes excessively cold, and a layer of ice builds up on the outside. A faulty condenser will cause the AC to throw warm or no air at all.

RELATED ARTICLE: How To Clean & Maintain An Air Conditioner Condenser?

Problem 6

Leaking or Dirty Ducts

The ductwork that runs through the ceilings and the walls carries the cooled air from your AC throughout the space. Sometimes, careless workers or rodents can cause breaks or holes in the ducts, and that expensive cooled air gets trapped inside your walls. Naturally, dirty or leaking ducts will make your AC work harder and increase your electricity bills.

Problem 7

Dirty or Clogged Filter

If your HVAC system filter is dirty or clogged, your air conditioner overheats. Your AC works harder to overcome the problems that arise due to a blocked filter. As there is more pressure on your AC unit, your air conditioner heats up efficiently. When your AC filters remain dirty for a long time, your AC will end up consuming more energy, escalating your utility bills.

However, you can take the filter out of your furnace to clean it easily. Once you remove it, clean the filter thoroughly by washing it under warm water. Dry your filter and reinstall it to check if the air conditioner is cooling the surroundings. If the problem persists, you may need to buy a new filter to replace the old one.

Problem 8

Air Flow Problems: Damaged or Worn parts of Motor

If your AC fan doesn’t start when you switch on your AC, it is clearly a faulty motor. Whenever your AC functions without the fan circulating air, this problem results in freezing the evaporator coil. Hence, your AC is likely to suffer more damage. If you suspect a damaged motor, turn your AC off and get in touch with a technician.

Problem 9

Air Flow Problems: Filthy Fan Blades

Your AC equipment can suffer from elements such as pollution and fog, mainly the fan in your outdoor unit. The speed of your AC fan can slow down significantly if the blades get dirty. Layers of grime and dirt can put a strain on your AC’s motor and lead to damage. Ensure you regularly clean your AC fan blades, as dirty blades will cause airflow problems.

Problem 10

Remove Debris around Outdoor Unit

Cleaning the outside AC unit can extend the lifespan of your AC. Another thing you can do as part of your AC routine maintenance is removing any sticks, branches, or leaves from the outdoor unit. Make sure all shrubs and plants are away from your AC unit so you can enjoy better airflow and improved efficiency.

Problem 11

Drainage Difficulty

Debris and dirt block your AC’s drainage pipe, blocking the condensate from flowing out via the drainage system. When this happens, the water does not flow outwards, and it overflows to the central air conditioning unit. For that reason, your AC starts leaking water. If you clean your AC regularly, you can avoid this problem.

The drain pan is underneath your indoor air handler and catches any condensation from the AC unit. You can inspect your drain pan and pipe to check for any dirt or grime when your unit is off. The pipe typically connects to the drip pan and discharges the condensate outside.

You can clean the overflow pan by using a wet-dry vacuum and inspect the edges, corners, and bottom using a flashlight. You can also use a water sealant to fix a cracked drain pan. But sometimes, the only way to resolve your drainage problems is to replace the damaged item.

RELATED ARTICLE: How do you Fix a Leaking Air Conditioner?

Problem 12

Unusual Noise

When your AC continues to make loud and unusual sounds, you must track down the source of these problems. Sometimes, this sound is like a whine or a whistle. Airflow issues may be the culprit behind these problems, so you may need to check the ventilation points of your AC.

The annoying noise could be due to operational inefficiency, increasing your energy bills. With regular maintenance and inspection, you can take care of your AC’s unusual sounds.

Problem 13

Issues with Electrical Parts: Loose Wiring or Wrong Fuse

Whenever there is an issue with your AC wiring, the electrical wires receive more current than usual, leading to a short circuit. Not only can this unfortunate incident damage your equipment, but it can also lead to a fire hazard. Worn-out wires or wiring issues result in lousy capacitor performance or fuse problems. Faulty wiring can trip the circuit breaker whenever you turn on your AC. In extreme cases, bad wiring or a wrong fuse may not let your AC start at all.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Determine If AC Fuse Is Blown?

Problem 14

Loose Connection

Different electrical wires supply current to various components of your AC’s equipment. Over time, wires can lose contact with the power source or the parts because of daily wear and tear. When connections become loose, current to the affected parts and malfunctions can result in more damage.

Problem 15

Exposed Wires

If you have a bare wire around the AC unit, it can result in an unfortunate fire hazard or even electrocution. If someone gets in contact with a live wire, they can get electrocuted. Make sure there are no pinched or stripped wires in your system. Sometimes, these wires hide behind walls or pathways, and you have a hard time locating them to prevent an accident. Professional technicians can check for any broken and hidden cables to make sure everything is safe.

Problem 16

Bad Capacitor

Capacitors cycle on and off a thousand times a second while the compressor is running. The life expectancy of the compressor is directly related to the age of the capacitor.

Whenever you are having problems with the capacitor of your air conditioner, you need to call your AC technician. He may replace it with a capacitor with the same rating as the one that came with your system to match with the AC motor.

Problem 17

AC trips the Circuit Breaker

The real problem here is usually with the breaker and not the AC itself. Many wires connect with the switch and suffer from damage over time. Sometimes, the breaker itself has problems, and you have to replace it. If your breaker keeps tripping, your air conditioner comes under a lot of strain, leading to compressor failure. Whenever this happens, your entire AC unit fails. Make sure you get your AC’s breaker checked to know whether you need a replacement.

RELATED ARTICLE: Why Is My AC Compressor Not Working?

Problem 18

Replace the AC Contactor

The contactor refers to a switch, located in the outdoor part of the AC unit. It comprises a metal plunger, a control coil, and one or multiple sets of electrical contacts. This switch turns your AC on and off as needed to maintain the desired temperature.

Over time, AC contactors can wear out and cause performance issues. However, even when the AC contactor is working fine, replacing it after a few years will go a long way in prolonging the lifespan of your air conditioner.

Problem 19

Size of AC

Air conditioners come in different sizes and dimensions. Determining the right size of your AC will help you maintain it easily. Consulting professional technicians to evaluate the right size of your AC comes in handy because they understand the factors that will help you choose the best model.

For instance, a bigger size is not always the best option. If you equip a small space with a large-sized AC that offers plenty of cooling, it could cycle on and off too quickly without efficiently removing humidity from the air. As a result, you will not feel cold but rather damp.

On the other hand, if you choose a size that is too small for your space, the unit will consume more energy yet fail to offer optimal cooling. Hence, the right size of your AC depends on your space’s needs and frequency of use.

Problem 20

Your Electric Bill Suddenly Goes Up

Sometimes, there are problems with your thermostat, which can make your electricity bills go up, especially during the winter season. Moreover, faulty units and systems can also cause a hike in utility bills to a large extent. When you fail to follow your air conditioner’s maintenance routine, you may never know if you need to repair or replace any components. An annual inspection or check-up can help you detect the faults that are doubling your electricity bill.

Did you remember the Annual AC Tune-Up?

Anyone who uses air conditioning units must benefit from a yearly AC inspection. Professional AC repair and replacement services have qualified technicians who conduct thorough inspections. Not only can they detect all problems that might be endangering your life but also repair them, reducing your utility bills.

Annual inspections also prolong the life of your AC unit as it increases the efficiency of the compressor, capacitor, motor, and other parts. With regular tune-ups, AC owners can increase the effectiveness of their units by 40%.

Besides savings, regular Air conditioner maintenance can also prevent any severe damage or unfortunate accidents resulting from faulty wiring or a defective circuit breaker. Replacing parts of your AC can help you enjoy the same air conditioning unit for years to come.

Here are a few things that a general AC tune-up includes:

• Assessment of refrigerant levels
• inspection of all components and controls
• lubrication and efficiency of moving parts
• calibration of thermostat
• cleaning of filters, condenser coils, and evaporator

Still, Need Help with Air Conditioner Troubleshooting?

We have listed many common problems that commonly occur and affect your air conditioning unit’s life and performance. Hence, you must schedule regular inspection and AC tune-up services to make sure your unit remains glitch-free.

While any time is better than never, an ideal time for your AC inspection or tune-up is spring. If you are having any trouble with your AC or you want to schedule an appointment with a professional air conditioning services, get in touch with Conejo Valley Home Services. Our qualified air conditioning repair services guarantee excellent and professional results at an affordable rate. Call now at (805) 499-0448 to know more about common ac problems and solutions. Schedule an appointment today and get a free quote.