Email Us
15.11.2024
Brooke Kirshne
It can be quite troublesome when your air conditioner starts to have trouble working properly, especially when it is during the hot months of summer. It is important that you know about simple and effective solutions that will help you troubleshoot air conditioner problems. There are multiple common problems that every individual faces with air conditioners like having problems in powering on the AC or the AC is not being able to provide you with proper cooling. A person should never ignore these problems by considering them a small issue otherwise they will soon turn into big problems that will require you to spend lots of money on the repairments.
It is necessary to understand the problems so that you can get them fixed as soon as possible. Here in this comprehensive guide, you will learn about some of the most common issues that people encounter with their air conditioners such as trouble switching on the AC, not providing cooling, leaking water, drainage problems, AC odors, noise issues, and malfunctions in thermostats. You will also learn about the signs when you need to seek help from a professional and some ways to avoid air conditioner problems.
1. AC Won't Turn On
During a hot day in summer, it can be quite frustrating if your AC is causing trouble turning on. However, you need to understand that there are a number of reasons why your air conditioner might have a problem turning on. If the thermostats are turned off or the batteries are dead then you will not be able to switch on your air conditioner. You need to make sure that you replace the thermostats every 9 to 10 years. A crashed circuit breaker is another common reason why your AC won’t turn on. The main reason for it to trip is because of high voltage.
When your air filter gets dirty because of dust, dirt, and debris then it will cause trouble for AC to work properly. Always remember to clean or replace the air filter every 80 to 90 days. However, it depends on the kindof air filter you have. If you spot a small cord coming out from your AC then it means that the wires are not properly connected to the panel which will eventually cause trouble in switching on the AC. The wires also get chewed by small animals like rats and mice.
2. When The AC Isn’t Cooling Properly
The main objective of an air conditioner is to remove the heat and provide you with proper cooling to create a comfortable living space. However, if your AC is not able to blow cool air then the reason can be because of a leak in the refrigerant which is a flammable liquid that helps in cooling the air. When there are low levels of refrigerant then your AC will not be able to provide you with proper cooling. For this, you need to call a professional to make sure that the refrigerants are installed properly.
Low levels of refrigerant can also cause freezing to evaporator coils which will slow down the cooling. You need to turn off the AC to let the coils melt before cleaning it. A collection of dirt and other pollutants in the air filter can reduce the cooling of your AC. So, you have to replace or clean the air filter from time to time. If the vents are blocked then it can lower the cooling of your AC. You need to make sure that all the vents are open and completely free from any obstructions.
3. Dealing With AC Leaking Water
It is one of the most common problems that many people have with their AC. For air conditioner troubleshooting this problem you need to make sure that your AC does not have a clogged drain line as it stops the water from draining properly which eventually leads it to overflow or leak. You need to use a vacuum or a pipe cleaner to flush out the blockage. If the drain panel is damaged or disconnected because of cracks or getting rusted then it will allow the water to leak easily instead of leading it away from the unit. It is important that you replace the damaged drain pan with a new one to prevent the leaking of water.
When the air filter gets dirty it causes the evaporator coils to freeze and when it starts melting it leads to water leakage. So it is important for you to clean the coils regularly to maintain proper airflow and avoid the freezing of the coil. When you are installing air conditioning in your home or office then you have to make sure that the process of installation is done correctly otherwise there will be water leakage from the unit. If there is improper installation then you need to call a licensed professional to reinstall the AC correctly.
4. Dealing With Unpleasant AC Odors
One of the worst things that happen with an air conditioner is when your AC starts to smell. The bad odors create an unpleasant and uncomfortable atmosphere in your home or office. There are plenty of reasons for your air conditioner to start stinking the moisture in the AC unit can lead to the growth of mold and will cause it to give a musty odor. To prevent this from happening you need to make sure that you clean or replace your air filters on a regular basis. You will be required to hire a professional HVAC technician to clean and inspect your AC.
When your air filters get dirty because of trapping dust, debris, and other particles like the fur of your pets then it will start to smell. So, you need to replace your air filter every 2 to 3 months. However, there are some air filters that can be used for a longer time and some of them are washable and can be used for years. Sometimes small animals enter and get trapped in the air duct which leads to the spreading of the terrible smell of decaying. When this happens you need to seek help from a professional to remove and clean the air duct and seal the entry points to prevent it from happening again.
5. Fixing Common AC Noise Issues
Your AC can start to make various kinds of noise and for every noise, there is a different reason behind it. So air conditioner troubleshooting this problem you need to first identify the type of sound and know the cause behind it. If your AC is making rattling noises then the reason is because of loose parts of your AC unit like the screws, fan blades, and loose panels. To fix this problem you need to get the screws tightened by yourself or hire a professional for the job.
If you are hearing buzzing sounds then it means that there are some electrical issues like faults in the wirings or loose connections. In this case, it is important that you immediately turn off the AC and call a technician to fix the wiring. When you are listening to hissing or whistling noise then indicates that there are leaks in the refrigerant or gaps in the air filters. If you notice the sound of banging then there is a loose or broken component that needs to be fixed by a professional.
Simple Ways To Avoid Air Conditioning Problems
You can easily avoid air conditioning problems if you pay attention to the simple things. Below you will see some simple ways that will help you to keep your air conditioner in good condition.
1. You need to make sure that you change the air filters regularly as dirty air filters can damage your air conditioner.
2. People often make the mistake of not paying much attention to cleaning the outdoor unit. This eventually leads to an impact on the cooling and maintaining proper airflow.
3. To extend the lifespan of your air conditioner you should schedule an annual professional maintenance. This will help to avoid any issues and ensure the smooth running of the system.
4. You have to clean the drain line from time to time as a clogged drain line will buildup water which will lead to leaks.
5. Use ceiling fans to spread the cool air of AC in the room. This will allow you to use less power of AC which will take some load off the system.
Conclusion
You have gained knowledge about air conditioner troubleshooting that will help you save time and prevent you from spending money on costly repairs. You learned some of the most common problems that occur in many air conditioners like trouble powering on the AC, not getting enough cooling from your air conditioner, how you can deal with water leaks, solving the problem of unpleasant AC odors, and the reasons behind different sounds coming from AC along with how to fix them. There are some simple ways by which you can avoid air conditioner problems. These simple things will help your AC to run smoothly.
At Custom Filters Direct, we provide our customers with the most suitable and outstanding quality air filters that are customized according to your particular needs. This helps keep your indoor air clean, fresh, and healthy. Whether you are looking for an air filter for your home or office, we have all kinds of air filters that will be able to fulfill your requirements. For more information, you can send us an email at info@customfiltersdirect.com or give us a call at 877-958-5612. Put your trust in us for your air filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Power off the AC and find the service valves
Step 2: Use the manifold gauge by attaching it to the service valves
Step 3: Switch back on the air conditioner and allow it to run for a few minutes
Step 4: Look at the readings of the pressure on the gauge. If the pressure is between 225 to 250 psi then the pressure is high and if is between 65 to 75 psi then the pressure is low.
Always remember to call a qualified and licensed HVAC technician when the pressure readings are not in the normal range.
- The vents will stop blowing cool air.
- This will make your energy bills increased.
- The compressor will start to make humming noises.
- You are using an old HVAC system.
- The system is automatically shut down.
- Correctly set up your thermostats.
- Make sure to always close the doors and windows.
- Examine if the circuit breakers are tripped.
- Always clean the air filters.
- Open the air vents.
- Clean the air ducts.
- Check for any signs of water leaks.
- Inspect the outdoor AC unit.
- Look for a licensed air conditioner technician.