Common Problems and Repairs for Air Conditioners
- susan4434
- Aug 10, 2021
- 7 min read
Summertime means fun and sun, but it also means more stress on your air conditioner. But if your HVAC system runs into a problem, do not worry and let the fun die out along with your air conditioner. You may be surprised that a repair by an HVAC professional does not cost as much as you think.
The most common issues with air conditioners happen when the system is run on high to feel comfortable indoors when temperatures soar. Unfortunately, the added seasonal stress often results in some issues for most people. More than likely, you will need to call an HVAC technician to fix the issues occurring with your air conditioner, but some problems can be an easy fix for a decent DIYer.
Read on to learn more about common air conditioner issues most homeowners will face during the life of their HVAC system. These issues will help you understand what to expect during a service call by an air conditioner contractor.
Common Problems With Easy Fixes
Air Filters
Most air conditioners problems can be avoided by keeping up with cleaning and maintaining the system. Regularly changing air filters helps move clean air through the home’s system and into rooms.
Air filters get clogged with dirt, dust and pollen if not changed out on a regular basis. The system then has to work harder to push air through the filters into the rooms. If the air filters become too clogged, the HVAC system could overheat and quit working.
There are several types of air filters someone can buy at most hardware, home improvement or even grocery stores. Some companies will list on the packaging how often to change out the filter. If the air filter does not have a recommended schedule, change out the air filters in the home monthly.
If it is hard to make time to change out the air filters monthly, Air Control of Northwest Arkansas offers a filter change-out program, where an HVAC service technician comes to the home and changes out the filters.
Thermostat
Sometimes there may not be an issue with your air conditioner, but the culprit could be a dead thermostat. If the thermostat reading is blank, it may be an electrical issue. First, check the circuit breaker and see if the electricity was not tripped. If your thermostat is still not showing a reading or the display is fading, changing the thermostat battery is a common DIY option that may fix the issue before you call for professional HVAC repair.
Here are some other reasons your thermostat may be causing your air conditioner to now work as well as it should:
Check to see if your thermostat setting reads heating instead of cooling. By switching the setting to cooling, or auto, you may fix the issue with your air conditioner not cooling the home as well as it should.
Notice the thermostat setting. Is the thermostat set to “off”? If so, switch the setting to “auto” so the system only runs when needed. Is the setting set to “on”? If so, the AC will constantly run, making the unit work harder, even when the air does not need cooling. Switch the setting to “auto”, and your air conditioner may return to cooling the air only when it needs to.
Look at the temperature set on the thermostat. Sometimes, someone in the house can change the temperature to a higher level without letting anyone know. If this is the case, adjust the temperature back to a more comfortable level.
A thermostat equipped with a pre-set schedule will automatically adjust the temperature on the days and times you want. Check to see if the set temperatures and times are programmed correctly. Check that the thermostat setting is not set for “away” or “sleep” mode when you want the thermostat to be set at “home” or “awake”.
Are all doors and windows firmly closed? This step can often be easily overlooked and may be causing your thermostat not to regulate temperatures properly.
Power Outage
On hot days, the high-pressure limit switch located in the compressor’s access panel may have tripped, but be aware that not all units have an electrical panel. Before pushing the button in the access panel to reset any breakers, let the air conditioner unit cool down for a few minutes.
If the circuit has not been tripped or you suspect a larger electrical issue, such as faulty wiring, has occurred, causing the problems with the air conditioner, call an HVAC repair technician trained in handling electrical issues.
Common Problems That Require a Repair Technician
Most air conditioners will experience some repair in their lifetime, especially during the hot summer months. A trained, qualified and experienced AC repair technician to quickly identify and fix most of the common problems with air conditioners.
Bad Capacitor
When the air conditioner is blowing air, but it is not cool air, it is usually a bad capacitor. The capacitor is like a jump start in your air conditioner to get the electric motors inside the condenser unit running. These capacitors generally last 10 to 20 years; however, they can weaken over time due to stress and high temperatures.
The average cost of a capacitor is low, so it is not a repair to worry too much about. However, expect to pay the technicians' service fee to replace the capacitor and make sure the system is running correctly plus the parts charge.
Clogged Drain Lines
One of the ways an air conditioner keeps inside temperatures cool is by dehumidifying rooms. The excess moisture that the system pulls out moves through the drain lines to the outside. Unfortunately, when algae, dirt and mold build-up, the drain lines get clogged, which results in one of the most common reasons an air conditioner quits working.
This clogging causes the excess moisture to back up inside the unit and spill over into the secondary drain pan. A safety switch will turn off power to the AC unit if the secondary drain pan is full.
A homeowner can fix a clogged drain line. Still, if the lines are so clogged the air conditioner or thermostat has stopped working, it is best to call an air conditioner technician to make sure the lines are cleaned effectively and efficiently. The contractor will also ensure the system is back to operating correctly.
One of the best ways to avoid drain line clogging is to regularly clean any clogs before summer. For more information on cleanin drain lines, read our blog post Maintaining Your Home Air Conditioner. You can also contact Air Control to come to the home and conduct a seasonal checkup, including inspecting lines and cleaning them if necessary.
Low Refrigerant
Although several reasons can cause an air conditioner to work harder than usual to keep the house cool, low refrigerant levels usually signifies problems with an air conditioner.
Refrigerant releases heat from the air, and refrigerant is used to charge the system when the air conditioner is installed. However, a poor installation of the system or leaking lines can cause refrigerant to leak.
An air conditioner technician will need to come to the home to refill the refrigerant to the proper levels. The technician will also need to inspect the unit to determine if any leaks or improper system installation is causing the refrigerant levels to be lower than required.
Be sure to hire a professional to conduct any refrigerant work on a home air conditioner. Even a small amount of exposure to Freon in refrigerant can cause mild symptoms of refrigerant poisoning.
Condenser Fan Motor and Blower Motor
Another common problem for air conditioners is the breakdown of the HVAC system fan motors. There are two fan motors in an air conditioning system; the condenser fan motor located inside the outdoor condenser unit and the blower motor inside the home. Both use fans to function.
Although these components can last a long time, it is not uncommon for them to break due to improper maintenance or insufficient cleaning. Dirt and debris can build up on the condenser fan motor and the blower motor. Add in the hot and humid temperatures, and these parts start to break down.
You will usually notice a problem with the condenser fan motor by either an unusual or loud noise coming from the unit or a burning smell. Since you can see the condenser fan underneath the wire grid on unit’s top, you may also notice the fan not turning or moving slowly.
A failing blower motor is more challenging to diagnose because it is out of sight. Some symptoms you may notice if the blower motor needs repair include:
There is weak airflow, the air quits working suddenly or the air works does not work regularly.
There is a burning smell in the house.
You hear buzzing, banging or screeching noises in the ductwork.
Repairing a condenser fan motor or blower motor can be expensive, but these repairs can also be avoided by regularly maintaining and cleaning the HVAC system. A yearly checkup by an HVAC professional can also include lubricating parts to keep the motors running smoothly.
If you need a repair, the repair technician will diagnose, fix and make sure the system is operating correctly. The technician should also inspect for any damage to the system caused by the breakdown or point out any potential problems with the system.
Summary
Even a good quality air conditioner that has been maintained and cleaned regularly can experience issues, especially during the hot summer months. Becoming familiar with the common repairs air conditioners need is the first step in understanding repair work and costs.
The most important thing to remember is to maintain and clean the HVAC system regularly. Regularly replace air filters, check for any open windows and inspect the outside condenser unit. Have an HVAC technician inspect and clean the unit before the winter and summer season, or once a year.
Air Control of Northwest Arkansas offers a Tommy Club membership which gives customers Air Control also offers seasonal checkup specials. A membership includes:
Two seasonal checkups (Spring and Fall) that evaluate and assess the health of your HVAC system
Priority scheduling for emergency repairs
10% discount on needed parts
No after-hour fees
For more information on how Air Control can help fix any of the common issues described above or address any other concerns, please call 479-756-0199.
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