What are Common AC Problems?
An air conditioning unit can last you for many years. In fact, HVAC systems have been known to last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, depending on the upkeep. Air conditioners work hard to keep you cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. Within its lifespan, it will need a repair sooner or later. When this happens, it is important to contact your HVAC technician or contractor to fix your AC unit. Even if the problem is small and your air conditioner still works, repairing it can prevent further damages that can result in costly repairs. What are some of the common AC problems you may run across? Let’s go over some of these issues.
- AC Won’t Turn On: The air conditioner unit not turning on is the most common problem. This can be due to many factors. One of the first things to check is the batteries in the thermostat. If the fan turns on but the air conditioning still won’t run, double check the mode settings on your panel. If it is set to fan, switch it to the cool or energy savings mode.
Cold Air Isn’t Blowing: The air filter could be the main cause of cold air not coming out of the vents. Blockage in the air filter can obstruct the cold air from coming out of the registers. Remember to replace your air filters once a month or once every three months, depending on the AC model.
- Low Airflow: When it comes to low airflow, you may have an issue with the blower fan. Make sure to contact a qualified technician to clean the blower fan of any debris that may cause an obstruction.
- Air Conditioner Won’t Turn Off: An air conditioner that won’t turn off can come out expensive on your electricity bill. If your AC unit won’t turn off, your thermostat may need to be calibrated for accurate temperature readings. It could also indicate an issue within the AC unit where it cannot cool your home efficiently. This adds stress to the unit causing it to breakdown.
- AC Freezing Over: If your air conditioner is freezing over, your coils could be dirty. You may also have a leak in the refrigerant line or even a clog somewhere in the drainage. This will cause your coils to freeze over. Make sure to contact a dependable technician to repair your air conditioning unit. The tech will open the panel to the coil system for inspection and repair.
- Air Conditioner Making Strange Noises: If your AC unit makes loud or strange noises, it can be a variety of things. Refrigerant leaks somewhere along the line could result in hissing noises. Rattling or thumping sounds could indicate an issue with the blower fan or motor.
- Refrigerant Leaks: Refrigerant leaks should be fixed as soon as possible. Leaks can have an effect on how fast your AC unit cools your home. Any type of refrigerant leak could cause a rise in your energy bill as your air conditioner works harder to cool your home.
Clog in the Drainage Line: Proper cleaning of the drainage line is key to preventing a clog from forming in the first place. The first sign can include your AC unit not cooling. Your coils could also begin to freeze over as the condensation line starts to clog. Without proper drainage, your air conditioner could struggle to cool your home causing other issues in the system.
