August 3, 2022
When your home’s air conditioner malfunctions, you want to get the situation resolved as soon as possible. Annoyingly, there can be dozens of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is impacting you? There are a few problems that are more common, and determining what they are is handy when your Winnipeg Supply Service Experts 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 break down.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat instructs your AC system when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are incorrect, your air conditioning might not function correctly. And if the batteries have died in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Run through this brief checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and operating properly:
- Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Check that it’s in cooling mode
- Ensure your set temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Dirty or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and effective air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In addition, dirty filters will sometimes cause a number of problems, including weaker airflow, poorer indoor air quality and excessive power use. They can also make an air conditioner work harder and stop working if the coil freezes.
You can easily reduce the risk of AC problems by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know whether you should change your filters? If you can’t think back to the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a standard guideline, make sure you try to replace flat filters every month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are essential components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even during the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to handle the cooling process as smoothly, and in certain cases the ice can block the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be related to different issues, like:
- 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 freezes, shut it off and let the coils thaw. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air on the coils without starting a refrigeration cycle.
It’s smart to check the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, change it. The other problems, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, will require professional assistance.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to relocate heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you could notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a couple signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Not enough cold air
- Home is humid
- Excessively long cooling cycles
- Ice forming on the evaporator coils
- Dripping or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell around the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed before 2011, it probably uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a consequence of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to repair.
If your R-22 AC unit has a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Modern air conditioners employ Puron or R-410A, which is more sustainable for the environment.
We recognize that replacing your air conditioner can be an emergency that you aren’t prepared for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which offers you a new air conditioner for just one affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are covered, and you’ll get to proceed with any useful manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioning utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve avoided air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become plugged up with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Switch off your air conditioner to prevent damage and get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 for support.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a number of reasons why your air conditioner keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are a few of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is gravely restricting airflow.
- Your air conditioning system overheated caused by insufficient refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and reducing airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has broken and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is malfunctioning.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is defective.
- Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has gone out.
Like we discussed earlier, check your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems will need to be taken care of by an HVAC professional like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts.
7. Short Cycling
A faulty cooling cycle can also cause problems. Short cycling is a frustrating error when the unit shuts down before the desired temperature has covered the remainder of the house. If you suspect your cooling is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is on before it turns off. Your average air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays inactive for about a similar period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is switching on and off in quick bursts.
This puts heavy strain on moving parts and critical components like the blower motor. Short cycling or any form of abnormal cooling cycles are often a consequence of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components turn the AC off. This happens again and again, particularly if the root cause of the overheating isn’t resolved.
Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs
The best way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance plan. At Winnipeg Supply Service Experts, we provide several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and solved through routine tune-ups.
In some cases repairs are unavoidable, 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 arrange your repair appointment? Contact us at 204-800-0613 today!