11 Air Conditioner Problems Homeowners Face
Did you know three-quarters of houses in the States have an air conditioner? If you want to learn about air conditioner problems homeowners face, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over common ac problems and how to fix them.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
1. Filters Will Become Clogged
Filters will get clogged over time because they have become dirty. A clogged filter will restrict airflow through your air conditioner, and your unit will no longer be able to cool your home.
A clogged filter will also damage the coil’s ability to absorb heat, causing other problems.
You should add “clean the filters” to your maintenance list. Make sure you change the filters once a month.
Do you have a few pets in your home? You will need to make it a priority to keep the filters clean.
2. Messed up Thermostat Settings
Thermostats will be used to measure the temperature of the air. The thermostat will also work to change the temperature of the air to what you prefer.
Is your thermostat sensor faulty? You should inspect to see if the sensor is in the correct position. Sometimes, the sensor can get knocked out of its position and won’t gauge the temperatures properly.
3. Refrigerant Has Started to Leak
The refrigerant cools the air in an air conditioning system. It’s essential to make sure you have the proper refrigerant levels.
Refrigerant can leak out of your system. These leaks are harmful to the environment and could lead to refrigerant poisoning.
Make sure you call in a professional right away. Adding more refrigerant to your air conditioner won’t fix the problem. Find a trusted professional at Armstrongairinc.com.
4. Air Leak
A window AC unit will have a seal to prevent cold air from leaking out. Yet, over time, the seals can break or wear away.
The cold air that your unit works hard to produce could end up seeping out of your home, causing a significant waste.
You should reseal your window unit, pick up weather-stripping, do the job yourself, or hire a professional.
5. Inspect the Registers
Over time, registers will get filthy. If you don’t clean the registers, the air moving through the unit will have dust and dirt, making your unit work harder.
It’s a simple issue to solve. You can use your vacuum cleaner to remove any built-up debris.
6. Dirty or Frozen Coils
A typical air conditioner problem is a frozen coil. You might have mechanical failures within your unit or low refrigerant levels.
If there’s less refrigerant in your system, the unit will still expand the same amount of low pressure.
More expansion will cause a cooler temperature. As the coil drops below freezing, the moisture in the air will freeze when it touches the coil.
Frozen coils occur from outside temperature as well. Air conditioners have to function in a specific temperature range. When the air goes below 62 Fahrenheit, the pressure within will drop. Then, you will have frozen coils.
Like filters and registers, coils will get dirty over time. If the coils get dirty, they won’t work well.
7. Your Outer Fan Isn’t Working
Your exterior fan has a critical role to play with your air conditioner unit. It will take hot air and release it outside. If your fan doesn’t work anymore, your air conditioner compressor could overheat.
8. Warmth From the Sun
You should avoid overexposing your air conditioner unit to the sun. The sun’s heat could cause your air conditioner to go into overdrive and create significant problems.
Your unit could end up working harder than necessary if it’s exposed to direct sunlight. Keep your shades drawn on hot summer days.
9. You Don’t Maintain the Unit
Another typical problem homeowners face is not getting maintenance done on the regular.
You need to keep your unit clean. It would help if you made sure a certified technician came to inspect your unit. The technician will see areas you can’t reach and perform maintenance work.
10. Your AC Unit Is Noisy
Air conditioners will make varying sounds depending on the issue. There are different reasons why an AC might make noises.
Refrigerant leaks will cause a hissing sound. Do you notice clicking sounds when you turn off your AC? You might have a relay problem.
Banging, rattling, or thumping noises underlie a motor assembly or blower problem.
The fan motor or compressor can often cause a screeching sound. Faulty electrical parts will make a buzzing noise.
11. You Have a Drainage Issue
A drain pipeline can end up getting clogged with dirt, algae, or dust. If the water doesn’t drain, fungus, mold, and mildew will start to develop. Bad odor and gases will end up filtering into your house.
Make sure the drain line gets cleaned, inspected, and maintained often. An air conditioner that isn’t mounted might not drain well.
You could have a leak in your basement if your drain pipeline gets clogged. Make sure you call in a professional to clean out the pipeline.
Prevent These Common Air Conditioner Problems
We hope this guide on common air conditioner problems was helpful.
Make sure you bring in a certified technician who can complete regular maintenance. You should also change the filters once a month and make sure you clean the unit.
Are you looking for more homeowner tips? Check out our resources on the blog.
