August 3, 2022
When your home’s cooling breaks down, you want to get the problem dealt with at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, there could be hundreds of reasons why your cooling isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a few problems that are more widespread, and determining what they are is beneficial when your Matz-Rightway Expert is going over routes for solving 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 malfunction.
1. Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat directs your cooling when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are incorrect, your cooling might not work correctly. And if the batteries died in a programmable thermostat, you'll have to charge the batteries before you can use it. Run through this short checklist to make sure your thermostat is receiving power and working properly:
- Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models)
- Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models)
- Verify that it’s currently on cooling mode
- Ensure your preferred temperature is below the current room temperature
2. Dirty Air Filter
Dirty or inefficient air filters are infamous for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. In fact, dirty filters can cause multiple problems, like decreased airflow, poorer indoor air quality and higher power usage. They can also make an AC unit work harder and stop working if the coil ices over.
You can easily avoid AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing your air filter. How do you know if you should change the filters? If you can’t recall the last time you changed them, it’s almost certainly time to. But for a basic guideline, make sure you try to replace flat filters each month and pleated filters every three months.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s coils are important components because they discharge heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even during the summer, ice can develop on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to regulate the cooling process as precisely, and in certain cases enough ice can block the AC from running at all.
Freezing can be linked to different issues, including:
- Dirty coils caused by ignoring annual maintenance
- Dirty air filters, which reduce airflow
- Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup
- Refrigerant leaks, which decrease 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 accelerate the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This should blow warm air over the coils without beginning a cooling cycle.
It’s a good idea to examine the air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other challenges, like dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with the support of a trained technician.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner employs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, you may notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are a few signs you’re confronting a leak:
- Inadequate cold air
- Home feels humid
- Longer than normal cooling cycles
- Ice forming on the evaporator coils
- Bubbling or hissing air conditioner sounds
- Sweet smell close to the air conditioner
If your air conditioning system was installed earlier than 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This coolant is no longer being produced as a consequence of its detrimental effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled quantities are available, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to fix.
If your R-22 air conditioner has a refrigerant leak, we advocate for air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. New air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment.
We understand 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 affordable monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to keep any valuable manufacturer’s rebates.
5. Water Leak
Your air conditioner utilizes a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve avoided air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become clogged with mold and cause water to flood the system. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking.
Turn off your air conditioner to prevent damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for help.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
There can be a couple of reasons why your cooling won't stop tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most widespread ones:
- Dirty air filter is significantly constraining airflow.
- Your air conditioner is running too hot caused by a lack of refrigerant.
- Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow.
- Condenser fan motor has stopped working and coils are overheating.
- Electrical connections are damaged or loose.
- Blower motor is faulty.
- Compressor is drawing excessive power or wiring is faulty.
- Capacitor in control of starting the compressor has broken down.
As we outlined earlier, inspect your air filter first, as that is most often the culprit. Any other problems will need to be addressed by an HVAC professional like Matz-Rightway.
7. Short Cycling
An improper cooling cycle can also be part of the problem. Short cycling is an annoying malfunction when the unit shuts down before the expected temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you believe your air conditioner is short cycling, pay attention to how long the air is on before it shuts off. Your average air conditioner generally runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your air conditioner is turning on and off in small bursts.
This adds heavy strain on moving parts and vital components including the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of atypical cooling cycles are frequently a result of overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components turn 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 sign up for a preventive maintenance program. At Matz-Rightway, we offer several HVAC memberships to fit your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be uncovered and fixed through routine tune-ups.
Occasionally repairs are inevitable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll benefit from special discounts on service, 24/7/365 priority service, no trip or overtime charges and more. Ready to join a membership program or to arrange your repair appointment? Contact us at 631-406-9220 today!