Summer can be filled with family vacations, swimming, boating, and adventures. But it can also be filled with endless hours of trying and failing to stay cool. When you come home from one of your summer adventures and find the temperature on your thermostat sitting at a toasty 82℉, it can send the rest of your day into a downward spiral.
Maybe you’ve forgotten to put AC maintenance on your list this year. Or maybe your AC is getting old. But knowing what is wrong with your air conditioner can help you take the next steps. Here are some of the most common central, ductless, and window air conditioner problems and solutions to help you take care of your system.
9 of the Most Common AC Problems
What are the common AC problems that you might come across? As
air conditioner repair experts at Epic Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’ve seen them all. But there are certain issues that we see over and over again. Here are 10 of the most common AC problems, and solutions to those problems.
1. Your AC Won’t Turn On
It can be frustrating when you try to turn on your AC but nothing happens. There may be a few reasons for an AC that won’t turn on. Sometimes the problem can be traced back to the air conditioner itself. One of the components, such as the capacitor, may have stopped working. But the problem might be located outside of the air conditioner. Your technician might check your thermostat and your electrical system for the cause of the problem.
2. Your AC Is Frozen
If your AC isn’t working well anymore, check to see if there is any ice building up on the unit. You might be able to spot the ice on the indoor or the outdoor unit. A frozen unit is one of the most common AC issues with a split type air conditioner because it usually happens because of a lack of airflow. If you want to know how to fix this problem, make sure to change the air filter in your system as often as your technician recommends. Your unit might be freezing up because of a simple dirty filter.
3. Your AC Is Leaking
A leaking AC is often the result of a clogged drain line. If the condensation doesn’t have anywhere to go, it will begin to leak out of the unit onto the floor. A leak might also come from frozen coils that are thawing and leaking into your home. As soon as you see signs of leaking such as water on the floor or stains on your wall, you’ll want to have a technician come and take a look.
4. There Is Warm Air Blowing From the Unit
When you have an AC, you want the air blowing out of it to be ice cold. If your AC is not cooling your home and is only blowing out warm air, you might as well turn it off and plug in your box fans. Your AC will need some service before it will start to do its job again. The problem might be a lack of refrigerant, lack of airflow, or a faulty thermostat.
5. Your AC is Noisy
You can prevent more serious AC failures by paying attention to any sounds that don’t seem normal. If the unit has started making rattling, screeching, or clanking noises, have the AC repaired as soon as you can. Any of these sounds could mean problems with the motor or compressor, or something might just be loose and rattling around.
6. Your AC Is Tripping Your Circuit Breaker
If you have loose electrical connections or an electrical panel that doesn’t have enough amps to run all the devices and appliances in your home, your AC might constantly trip the breaker when it turns on. It’s important to have someone take a look at it since electrical problems can be dangerous.
7. The Cool Air Isn’t Distributing Properly
One of the most common AC issues is the lack of air distribution in the home. A simple solution is to make sure all of your vents are open. When you close vents, it can disrupt the airflow to other parts of the home, too. There may also be a problem with your ductwork or with the AC itself.
8. There Is High Humidity in Your Home
When your home gets too humid, it can feel even warmer than it is. An AC that isn’t working properly will also not be able to remove moisture from the air. You’ll end up with a warm, humid home that barely feels better than being outside. Humidity problems can be fixed with an AC repair or maintenance.
9. Bad Odors
Different odors can point to different problems. Sometimes unpleasant things like mold, dead animals, and dust can hide out in your ductwork, causing an unpleasant smell. Electrical problems might cause a burning or fishy smell. You may even smell a sweet smell if your refrigerant is leaking. You should check out any smells that are coming from your AC.
These may be the top 9 AC problems, but they aren’t the only problems you may encounter with your air conditioner. If your system is doing something that’s not on the list, you can call a technician for help diagnosing and fixing your AC. Our team at Epic Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can find and fix any problems that you may have with your air conditioner.
