Once summer hits, it is important for your air conditioner to run without problems.
However, what do you do, if it doesn’t do that?
Don’t worry.
We’re here to help and can troubleshoot your air conditioner and quickly get it up and running smoothly once again.
Use our air conditioning troubleshooting list to identify some of the most common types of air conditioner problems along with potential solutions.
The Air Conditioner Isn’t Blowing Cold Air
If your air conditioning system turns on but isn’t blowing cold air out, make sure the thermostat is set correctly and that all of the vents are open. If those things are fine, then check the air filter. You will not get any airflow if it is clogged with debris and dirt. A clog can cause the system’s evaporator coils to freeze, and then frost and ice will clog up the airflow even more. If this is the problem, clean the air filter with water, a mild soap, and a soft brush. The filter should be changed and cleaned frequently to avoid this problem in the future. There could also be a problem with the fan motor or the fan. It the fan is turning easily, then there could be a problem with the motor getting electrical power or the refrigerant line could have a leak. In those situations, most likely you will need to have your unit inspected by a qualified HVAC technician.
The Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling Enough
The first thing you should do is check the vents to ensure they are all open. Even one closed vent can make it harder to cool your whole house since warm air in the room that has a closed vent with ix with cooled air from the other rooms. You might have a different problem. For example, your refrigerant line might have a leak. If your system was installed improperly or it is old, then it might be the wrong size for your house or be wearing out. Systems that are too big for your house will end up cycling off and on too fast, which reduces their efficiency. When a system is too small for your house, it will have to work harder in order to cool down your house, which can lead it to breakdown prematurely.
The Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water Inside The House
To avoid expensive water damage, if the air conditioner is leaking water inside your house, turn it off. The condensate drain line might be clogged up, which can cause water to back up into your house. If you are a DIYer you can try to use a wet/dry vacuum to get the line unclogged. If that doesn’t work, the condensate pump might be broken or the drain pan could be rusted out. Your HVAC technicians will be able to repair or replace the damaged parts of your AC system.
The Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water Outside
On humid or hot days, you may see a small puddle of water underneath the condenser unit. That is normal in humid, hot weather, as long as it forms only as the unit is working. When the weather is cool – normally, 60 degrees or cooler – an air conditioner may freeze up, and that can cause the AC unit to leak water after it melts. That is normal as well. If it is leaking in other situations, try to replace or clean the air filters. If this doesn’t fix the problem, then call to have it serviced. The condensate pan might be broken, there could be a blockage in the drain pipe, or the unit could need more refrigerant.
The Air Conditioner Leaks Water When It Is Turned Off
The system might freeze up when it is working if the filter is dry or it is low on refrigerant. After you turn the system off, the ice will melt and cause it to leak water. Don’t run the risk of your air conditioner causing water damage by leaking water on the ceiling or floor. If it doesn’t help to clean your filter, don’t turn the AC system back on until the problem has been identified and solved. Like with outside leaks, there could be a broken condensate pan or a blockage.
The Air Conditioner Will Not Stop Running
If the air conditioner stays on longer than it is supposed to, the filter might be dirty. Replace or clean the filter and see if that fixes the problem. If your system is improperly sized or is older, it can result in the system having to work too hard, and cycle too frequently, which can make it hard to shut off. The following are other problems that might cause your AC to constantly run:
Bad thermostat
Short in thermostat cable
Stuck fan relay
The Central Air Conditioning System Will Not Turn On
If the central air system does not come on, it could be as simple as just needing to adjust your thermostat. If this doesn’t fix the problem, then call a technician since the HVAC system might need to be replaced or repaired.
The AC Window Unit Will Not Turn On
The first thing that you should check on a window unit is its temperature setting. Also, be sure the electrical current is flowing into the system. If neither of those solves the problem, then call a professional to assist you with AC window unit repairs.
The AC Fan On The Inside Of The House Is Not Working
If the indoor AC fan is not working, check to be sure that a breaker has not tripped. If that is fine, then check the air filter. If the filter is blocked, you might be able t fix the problem yourself. If the refrigerant lines and evaporator coils have ice on them, then let the ice melt. Then check it again and see if the fan works. If not, then it may have caused the coil to freeze. A service call is required if you have a frozen coil. The technician might need to replace the contacts inside of the motor, the fan felt, or the fan relay.
The AC Fan On The Outside Of The House Is Not Working
If your air conditioner is not cooling properly, check the outdoor unit. If your outdoor fan is not spinning, check the fuse box or breaker first. If resetting it doesn’t fix the problem, there could be a few different problems.
The start capacitor isn’t working: If the compressor is working still, the fan’s start capacitor or motor might not be working. To troubleshoot, use a wooden stick to push the fan. Don’t do this with your hand, since if the fan ends up starting, it could end up cutting your fingers. It the fan still does not start to spin, call a qualified air conditioning repair technician to handle the job. Turn off the unit until the technician arrives. If you don’t, then you run the risk of burning your compressor, which is a major and expensive repair.
The outdoor fan’s motor is stuck: Rust or dirt might cause the fan to become stuck. If your unit needs more extensive repairs, the outdoor fan motor might need to be repaired or replaced.
After your AC system is repaired be sure to have your local air conditioning professional do a maintenance checkup every year. If your system is serviced regularly, in the long run, it will save on energy bills, work more efficiently, and last longer.
