Common Air Conditioner Problems and Solutions
Always keep in mind the causes of air conditioner problems. We all suffer from many problems that are related to air conditioners and we suddenly run to any technician for solutions but somehow, we all must have a little knowledge about why these problems are actually arising. Most of the central air conditioning problems occur due to the closed rooms because airflow through the home is disrupted. Always try and make sure that you close your home’s windows and all the outside doors so that the rooms can be isolated from the rest of your home.
Main Causes of Air Conditioner Problems
With that being discussed another common problem that can occur with existing air conditioners can be the result of wrong installation, poor service procedures as well as inadequate maintenance. In case of faulty installation of a central air conditioner, it can result in duct leak as well as low airflow. A lot of the refrigerant charges do not match the manufacturer’s specifications. But if the proper refrigerant charging is not performed during the whole process of installation, the performance and efficiency of the unit are impaired. Unqualified service technicians many times fail to find proper refrigerant charging problems or even worsen existing problems just by adding refrigerant to that system that is already full to its limit. You must learn what to ask for when you are hiring any technician in order to maintain your air conditioner.
In that case, if your air conditioner fails by any cause, you must start by checking any fuses or circuit breakers. Always let the unit cool down for about five minutes before resetting any breakers. In that case, if a central air conditioner’s compressor stops working on a very unpleasant and hot day, there are chances that the high-pressure limit switch may have tripped by any cause you may be able to reset it by pushing the button that is located in the compressor’s access panel.
Air Conditioner Problems and Solutions
Read over some common air conditioner problems in order to get your air conditioner running in the perfect condition.
Leakage that occurs indoor
In that case, when you observe water leaking from your air conditioner’s indoor unit, it is time that you call someone for maintenance. The basic reason for water leaks from your air conditioner might be because the reason that condensate drain of the system gets jammed due to any sort of algae or fungi as it causes the water to fill the pipe and as a result, it gets into your home. That reason the other possible reason for this AC problem could be that your condensate pump might have broken down completely and it requires replacement from the scratch.
The solution to water leakage indoors:
Water leakage is one of the most common air conditioner problems that can happen to any air conditioner no matter how expensive and reasonable it is and can be fixed with the support of a certified technician or even with home DIY solutions. The jammed condensate pipe can be easily unclogged with the help of a wet or even a dry vacuum. Also, you can pour 6 ounces of the regular vinegar into the drain line it will kill fungi or algae build-up. The accurate location of the drain pipe within your unit may vary, so you have to consult the user manual before you perform anything.
Leakage that occurs outdoor
As the leakage indoors is common, there are chances that you may see a puddle of water built outside of your house right under the compressor of your air conditioner. This can happen because of a number of reasons that may include
A dry air filters
Broken condensation pans
Bad ac seal
Improper installation, etc.
The solution to water leakage outdoors:
After detecting this specific AC issue, the first thing you should do would be to turn off your
air conditioner
and disconnect the power supply immediately. Situations might get out of hand if not taken care of in the proper time period. For such a type of air conditioner problem, you might need to call a technician but first perform the mentioned tasks that have to be done by you.
Leakage of AC Refrigerant
AC refrigerant that is also known as Freon is responsible for cooling the air within your air conditioning system. As the name says it all, it is the actual mechanism through which an AC cools your home. Any refrigerant leak can be a common AC unit problem and it can reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency to a great extent. Also, these leaks can also be harmful to you and the environment.
Solution for leakage of AC refrigerant:
In case you see any minor leak, all you have to do is to top up the refrigerant and apply some minor fixes. But in case of larger faults that can occur within the pipes, there are high chances the whole link might need to be changed entirely. In the process of recharging the refrigerant, you will have to be extra careful not to overcharge or undercharge the refrigerant. The functioning of your AC remains top-notch if the refrigerant charge matches the manufacturer’s specifications otherwise it may malfunction later on.
These leaks can be detected at home using multiple ways of detection. Once they are detected, analyze this air conditioner issue, and take all the necessary actions so that you may patch up the leak. Or you may also call a professional in time and get the leaks fixed to avoid further AC problems.
Dirty AC Filter
Like any other filter an air conditioner filter also performs an important role in the functioning of the whole AIR Conditioning unit, filters help in keeping the airflow clean and nearly free from any sort of dust and debris. A clogged air filter would drastically slow down the airflow which results in decreasing the efficiency of your whole air conditioning system. A dirty filter would also reduce the ability of the system to cool the air effectively.
Solution for a dirty AC filter:
In that case, when you feel that your air conditioner’s airflow is somehow stuffy or clogged up, you must check the air filter and try to clean it as it is probably that dirty air filter is reducing the airflow. You should clean your filter after every two weeks and change your air filter after every two months during peak seasons when AC is used most of the time in summers. Smart AC controllers can also help in keeping a check on your system’s filter status. They would send an alert about when to clean the air filter. For this problem, you do not have to call any technician as this can be done by you yourself.
Damaged Compressor
We all know that one of the most important AC components is the compressor that helps the refrigerants to carry out heat exchange as well as regulates the AC pressure. All these conditions like dirty coils, changes in refrigerant levels, and lack of lubrication can be the reason of AC compressor failure. In case there is not enough refrigerant, there are chances that the compressor will become hot and stop functioning. If there is more refrigerant than there should be then the excess refrigerant can lead to increased pressure in the unit, which will also cause it to fail and stop working.
Solution for a damaged compressor:
In order to resolve this issue, you need to contact your local air conditioning service. In case there is severe damage, it would be better that you replace the compressor instead of performing an air conditioning repair.
Fault in Capacitor
Many times, if you turn on and off your AC abruptly there are high chances that it invites a capacitor issue. A capacitor is really very important part of any air conditioning unit and is basically responsible for giving the motor that initial push that needs to get is started. During the extreme summer heat, and when it’s the time that your AC has to work hard, there are high chances that the capacitor can overheat. Also, power fluctuations and frequent changes in the thermostat setting can damage your capacitor.
Solution for faulty capacitor
You can contact a professional technician in order to get your capacitor checked. Sadly, you cannot repair or replace it on your own as there is a risk of an electric shock.
Weird AC Noises
In case you notice weird, and loud AC noises that are coming from your unit, be aware it might be a signal of some problem. The sounds might seem annoying, but in actuality, they are helping you to figure out what is actually wrong with your system before this AC issue gets even worse.
All these different noises might indicate a different AC problem such as
A grinding sound points toward the compressor or motor failure.
A clicking sound may indicate an obstruction in the AC fan or a capacitor issue,
A bubbling noise is produced due to a refrigerant leak or excess moisture in your unit.
Solution for AC noises:
Never ever ignore the AC noise issue and immediately contact an HVAC professional. Any technician will help you in figuring out what the sound really means and fix the underlying issue.
Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
In case your circuit breaker keeps tripping frequently, it can indicate a number of issues that includes power surge, capacitor failure, dirty filter or coils, low
refrigerant
levels, compressor failure, and all the issues with the circuit breaker itself. After you notice this problem you must turn off the AC and don’t try to reset the breaker as it can cause a fire.
Solution:
Unfortunately, there is no DIY solution for this problem. You would have to contact a professional as a circuit breaker involves electrical components and can get dangerous.
AC Smells Bad
A bitter smell from your air conditioner can be due to mold growth.
A fire-like smell would indicate that some electrical components are burning inside your system.
A gas smell would indicate leakage of Methyl Mercaptan, which can be really dangerous.
A rotten egg smell can indicate birds and insects have gotten into your system and may have died, causing this weird smell.
Solution for AC smell:
You must thoroughly clean your air conditioner when taking it out after some period of time. For any sort of electrical issues and gas leakage issues, you must always call a professional for all sorts of repairs.
Failure of Electric Control
Many times you tend to turn your air conditioner on and off so much that the compressor and fan of the system wear out. The compressor, condenser motor, and blower motor are connected, making a connection to start the unit. A disruption in the connection due to corrosion of wires or the terminals can prevent the compressor and motor from turning on. Power surges can also result in electrical failure. Acid can build up in your unit as a result of electrical failure, which causes further air conditioner problems.
Solution for a failure in electric control:
To determine this air condoning unit problem, you must check the electrical connection, and if you cannot resolve the issue yourself, you can seek professional help at any time. A professional technician would detect the acid build-up during tune-ups as it is a major sign of an electrical issue. Regular AC maintenance can help prevent this and many other issues in the future.
Source
