Are you having trouble with your air conditioner?
87% of American households use some sort of air conditioning equipment. These large machines have become such a staple in a home that not having one often becomes such an inconvenience for the homeowners. There’s no way for them to adjust the temperatures to their preferences when they need to.
Because of how big and complex they are, homeowners may encounter some AC problems from time to time. Since AC repairs are costly, it’s often best that you try to fix the problem yourself first.
To help you with this, we’ve put together a list of the most common AC problems. We also explain their causes to help you with AC troubleshooting. Read on and see what you can do about your AC today.
1. Unit Won’t Turn On
This is the most common AC problem that homeowners often face. Most chalk it up to bad installation, but households using the same unit for years may find that it suddenly won’t turn on.
A lack of power often causes this problem. Your unit may have a blown use, which you’ll need to replace. A tripped circuit breaker can also prevent it from getting sufficient power, and you’ll need to reset it for your unit to work.
2. AC Not Blowing Cold Air
First time feeling that your unit isn’t blowing cold air? This can be because the unit is out of refrigerant. Refrigerant lowers the air’s temperature as it circulates through the unit.
Your unit naturally runs out of refrigerant after using it for a while. It can run out of refrigerant faster if your unit springs a leak. When this happens, refill it as soon as possible.
A lack of refrigerant means the AC runs inefficiently. This causes your unit to overwork itself, leading to more damage along the line.
3. Water Is Leaking
If there’s liquid leaking from your unit but you can still feel a cool breeze, then your unit is due for a cleaning. An indoor leak means there’s a blockage in your unit’s condensate drain. Algae and fungi grow here because of the moisture that the condensate drain collects.
Thankfully, AC maintenance is simple. You only need to empty the drain and wipe it down with vinegar to kill the growing organisms.
If there’s a leak on the outdoor component of your AC, turn your unit off. It can mean you have a broken condenser pan in your unit. Replacing this is tough, so it’s best you go look up “AC maintenance near me” and get a professional to do it for you.
4. Inaccurate Thermostat Display
Does your thermostat say 72, but it doesn’t feel like it? If so, then the sensor may not be in line with the rest of the system.
To take accurate measurements, the sensor measures the temperature of the air surrounding the evaporator coil. It then compares it to the room’s temperature and makes adjustments accordingly.
When forced out of position, the sensor causes the unit to switch on and off unpredictably. To fix this, realign the sensor so it measures the temperature around the evaporator coil.
5. Unit Makes Noises
An air conditioning system may produce different sounds based on the problems it’s facing. A grinding noise indicates a problem originating from the unit’s motor. Meanwhile, clicking noises tell you there’s something wrong with your AC fan.
Because of how many sounds a unit can produce, you should hire a technician instead. This way, they can identify the problem immediately and address them on the spot.
6. System Produces Terrible Smells
As with noises, different smells also have different meanings. If your AC unit expels a putrid, pungent scent, then something organic is growing in your unit. Mold, fungi, and algae often grow here, and taking care of them immediately prevents them from affecting your health.
If you smell smoke or fire, then your AC is having problems with some of its electrical components. Disconnect your unit at once and see what’s burning inside. Replace it before it causes further damage to your AC.
7. Weak Airflow
Poor airflow can cause your unit to exert more effort to provide you with sufficient conditioned air. A few things can cause this, but what’s great is that they all have an easy fix.
Dirty vents and filters can cause weak airflow. Scrubbing the vents and replacing the filters can solve this problem.
Your unit may also be weak because you have furniture blocking one of the vents. Moving anything that’s in the vent’s fixes the issue and regulates airflow.
8. Inefficient Energy Use
Does your electricity bill seem too high? If so, then you’re inefficient in how you’re using your air conditioning system. Several factors can cause this to happen in your home.
Poor insulation is the most common factor in this case. An automated system will detect that the room will change temperatures often. This causes the system to switch on more often to adjust the room’s temperature.
Open windows and doors also cause this to happen. Same as a poorly insulated room, it causes drastic temperature changes, making the unit work twice as often.
9. Unit Is Expelling Hot Air
Sometimes, you’ll feel hot air blowing inside your home instead of cold air. If that’s the case, check your AC’s outdoor unit. You may have a damaged condenser coil in your hands when this happens.
Your unit’s condenser coil collects heat from your home and discharges it outdoors. It’s a sensitive component in your system. Any dirt or grime can compromise its ability to discharge heat.
Being outside doesn’t bode well for the condenser coil. This makes regular AC maintenance is important. Remember to include it when you’re coming up with an AC troubleshooting plan.
Know All About These AC Problems Today
Many things can go wrong with your air conditioning system. Learn about the AC problems you’ll likely encounter to reduce your system’s downtime. Solve these problems yourself and enjoy the gentle breeze from your AC today!
Do you want to learn more about AC maintenance and repair? Look at our guides and articles to learn all you can today!