Most Common Air Conditioning Problems
Air conditioners seem to fail at the most inconvenient times. Usually, the reasons for failure are relatively easy to repair or can be prevented with regular maintenance. We’ve compiled a list of the most common AC problems people experience and what you can do about them. AC Unit Won’t Come On Sometimes mysteriously, an air conditioning unit won’t come on, but the fan inside the home seems to be working OK. There can be several reasons for this. The first thing to check is your thermostat to make sure it is working properly. A broken thermostat can easily disable an entire AC system. If you are able to rule out the thermostat as the problem, check your home’s circuit breaker and the circuit breaker outside near the unit. If you suspect it may be the breaker, it doesn’t hurt to try to figure out what might have caused it to trip before you attempt to reset it. If you flip the breaker and it does trip again, don’t repeat the process. Call a professional to diagnose and repair the problem. If you have excessive vegetation growing around your unit, it could also be a reason your air conditioner has quit. Grass, leaves and debris can be easily sucked into the vents of your unit and cause damage to the capacitor. If you suspect this might have happened, you will need to call for service. Air Conditioning Unit is Making Noise Most air conditioners make some noise when they are running, and this is normal. If you are hearing vibration or loud rattling noises, something could be wrong. Your ac unit could have been installed incorrectly and should be checked by a professional. Sometimes people report squealing sounds when their air conditioner is running. This may actually be coming from your air handler, the part of the ac system that regulates and directs air through the ductwork. Most air handlers have direct-drive motors, but older units may be belt-driven. The squealing noise sometimes occurs when the belt connecting the blower to the motor slips. If you suspect this is the case, shut your ac unit off and call a professional – proper diagnosis and repairs are likely needed. AC Runs, But Doesn’t Cool Your Home If air is flowing through your vents, but it is not coming out cold, you might have a stalled condenser coil – the part of the air conditioning unit that produces cold air. The condenser fan will run even if the condenser isn’t working properly. Condenser failure can be caused by a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Sometimes, it isn’t the condenser at all and a lack of cool air can be due to low refrigerant. In either case it is best to contact a professional to help you diagnose the problem. If the lack of cool air you are noticing has been gradual or appears to be fairly minimal, your air conditioner may not be to blame. You could have leaks in your ductwork that are allowing conditioned air to escape. If your ducts are older, or tightly constructed you might be a good idea to have your air ducts inspected and sealed. Anytime your air conditioner fails or you suspect something is mechanically wrong, contact a professional to help you diagnose the problem. At Tidwell Air Systems, we recommend regular maintenance to keep your unit running smoothly. We offer AC service and repair to help you avoid costly repairs and unexpected system failure. If you suspect problems with your air conditioner, request a repair online today.
