Contents
- 1 Common Air Conditioner Issues You May Face This Summer
- 1.1 1. Your Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On
- 1.2 2. No Cold Air Is Being Blown Out Of The Air Conditioner
- 1.3 3. The Outside Unit Is Freezing Up
- 1.4 4. AC Coolant Leak
- 1.5 5. A Noisy Air Conditioner
- 1.6 6. The Evaporator Coil Is Frozen
- 1.7 7. Failure At The Electric Control
- 1.8 8. Water Is Leaking Outside
- 1.9 9. Drainage Issues
- 1.10 10. Issues At The Thermostat Sensor
- 2 Simple Tips For Preventing Air Conditioner Problems In The Summer
- 3 Let Wilcox Energy Take Care Of Your Summer Cooling Needs
Without air conditioning, summer can be downright unbearable. Owners have to make sure that their cooling equipment is both functional and reliable before the scorching hot months to come. Learning all that you can about common air conditioner problems and the right methods for preventing them will reduce your stress and ensure your comfort throughout the warm-weather season.
Common Air Conditioner Issues You May Face This Summer
In this article, we discuss some of the most common air conditioner issues that homeowners face during the summer.
1. Your Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On
If the circuit breaker trips, your air conditioner will become completely unresponsive. Reset the circuit breaker before attempting to turn your AC on again. Make sure that the plug isn’t loose and re-plug it if needed. Replace the batteries in your thermostat if they’re old or dead. If the problem continues, get in touch with a reputable HVAC company to have it properly diagnosed and repaired.
2. No Cold Air Is Being Blown Out Of The Air Conditioner
The primary job of central air conditioning is to distribute cooled air into the living environment. If it is unable to this, the air filter may be clogged with dirt or other debris. This inhibits airflow. It can also cause the condenser to freeze which will lower the overall cooling abilities of the system. You can prevent these issues by regularly replacing your air filter.
3. The Outside Unit Is Freezing Up
There are many different issues that can cause this problem. You might have a coolant leak and low coolant levels as a result. The temperature outdoors may have plunged. Insufficient airflow and a damaged blower motor are other possible culprits. The best way to identify the underlying problem is to schedule a professional inspection with a licensed HVAC company.
4. AC Coolant Leak
The coolant or refrigerant in your air conditioner is its lifeblood. If this starts to leak out, your air conditioner will have issues with both performance and efficiency. Power use will increase, cooling won’t occur evenly, and the coils will start to freeze. This can even lead to compressor damage. Routine inspections will help you identify refrigerant leaks early on so that they can be resolved before more serious problems occur.
5. A Noisy Air Conditioner
Although a constant, low humming sound is absolutely normal, your air conditioner should be making any strange AC noises. Pay careful attention to the sounds that your unit is making because every sound can indicate a specific problem. Clicking sounds may mean that there are relay issues whereas hissing sounds generally indicate leaks. Ratting air conditioner problems indicate issues with the motor assembly, and if your AC is buzzing it may have electrical faults. An experienced HVAC technician will be able to pinpoint the problem right away after having heard the unit in operation.
6. The Evaporator Coil Is Frozen
Evaporator coils have to have ongoing airflow in order to avoid freezing. If this is an issue you’ve identified, thoroughly check the entire pathway to look for blockages. This may be due to clogged vents, a damaged fan, or a dirty air filter. This is something that you can easily prevent with regular maintenance and cleaning.
7. Failure At The Electric Control
Air conditioners perform their best when they operate at a steady rate. Frequently cycling between off and on can lead to expedited wear, particularly at the compressor. The blower motor and fan motor controls can also sustain damage. This can all lead to failure at the electric control such that none of the affected parts will respond.
8. Water Is Leaking Outside
On humid days, condensation can start to form at the coils. This moisture is meant to flow out of the units through channels that are designed to route it away from the air conditioner and the surrounding building materials. When these channels become broken or blocked, problems with leaks can occur. Among some of the things that might cause this problem are a broken condensate or catch pain, drain pipe blockages, and substandard installation. This can be immediately corrected by cleaning inside.
9. Drainage Issues
Stagnant water can build up inside of your air conditioner when drainage issues exist. This can lead to potentially harmful growths of fungi and bacteria. As time goes on, the home will be flooded with foul odors. It is both unhealthy and unpleasant to live with. Professional HVAC inspections and maintenance can stave these foul odors off.
10. Issues At The Thermostat Sensor
Sensors in the thermostat have the job of detecting the current temperature. Your air conditioner turns on when indoor temperatures rise too high and then shuts off when they drop too low. Faulty readings can be obtained by the sensor if it isn’t placed properly. This can be fixed by an HVAC system via calibrations and correct thermostat and sensor positioning.
Simple Tips For Preventing Air Conditioner Problems In The Summer
1. Perform An Air Filter Check
Most air conditioner problems are caused by dirty air filters. Follow the recommendations of your AC manufacturer and replace air filters on a routine basis. This is one of the best ways to avoid AC problems in the summer. For most systems, the filter should be replaced once every one to three months. However, let the state of your air filter be the guide. Whenever the filter surface is clogged, replace it, even if the service date has yet to arrive.
2. The Condensing Unit Should Be Cleaned
The outside condenser is always exposed to dirt, dust, and debris. Dirty condenser coils won’t have the ability to efficiently transfer heat outdoors. This is a problem that can be easily fixed and avoided with periodic cleaning. Twigs, leaves, and other miscellaneous debris should be cleared from the area as well.
3. Make Sure That The Vents Aren’t Blocked
The vents should be free of obstructions at all times so that air is able to flow freely. Airflow can be compromised if things like furnishings, curtains, or other items are blocking the vents. Be watchful of these areas so that you can immediately remove any blockages as needed.
4. Switch To A Programmable Thermostat
Replace your old thermostat with a new one that has better performance and calibration. If possible, invest in a programmable thermostat. Set times to preferred heating or cooling schedule and temperatures. This will improve performance while reducing your overall energy use.
Conclusions
Your cooling system can fail right in the heart of summer. Being proactive in cleaning and monitoring this equipment is the absolute best form of prevention. You should also have a schedule for regular AC maintenance so that HVAC professionals can perform the needed tune-ups and inspections. If you need repairs, contact an HVAC company as soon as possible. They’ll have the tools, skills, and experience for identifying the problem at its source. You’ll get superior results and fair prices.
Let Wilcox Energy Take Care Of Your Summer Cooling Needs
Residents in the southern Connecticut shoreline can trust Wilcox Energy to provide first-rate HVAC services to meet their cooling and heating needs. Our technicians are certified and they have the ability to skillfully perform all HVAC tune-ups, installations, and repairs for your HVAC system. Their knowledge and experience ensure that the work that they perform is always done right.
When working with Wilcox Energy, you will receive competitive prices for all of our heating and cooling services. Our maintenance services enable you to lower your energy use, increase the comfort in your home, and more. When your heater or cooler need replaced, you can turn to us for help in finding a budget-friendly and needs-specific model. All of our services come with a solid guarantee. Call Wilcox Energy right now to schedule service. Our in-home estimates are always completely free.
For more information about heating and cooling systems, be sure to contact Wilcox Energy. You can contact us at (860) 399-6218. We offer a full line of heater and air conditioner repairs, maintenance services, and installations.