Seven Most Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

When your home’s cooling goes on the fritz, you want to get the problem taken care of right away. Unfortunately, there may be dozens of reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working properly. How do you know which one is affecting you? There are a few problems that are more widespread, and recognizing what they are is helpful when your Midway Services Expert is discussing routes for resolving the problem through air conditioning repair in North America. 

Here are the top six common air conditioner problems that can cause your air conditioner to break down. 

1. Thermostat Problems 

Your thermostat directs your air conditioner when to start and for how long to run. If the settings are incorrect, your air conditioner may not work like it should. And if the batteries have died in a programmable thermostat, you won’t be able to use it at all. Run through this quick checklist to ensure your thermostat is receiving power and working properly: 

• Replace batteries if the screen is blank (programmable models) 
• Make sure your thermostat has power (smart models) 
• Check that it’s switched to cooling mode 

• Ensure your desired temperature is below the current room temperature 

2. Dirty Air Filter 

Old or inefficient air filters are notorious for turning a perfectly functional and efficient air conditioner into a slow and inefficient one. What’s more, dirty filters could cause lots of problems, including weaker airflow, lower indoor air quality and higher power usage. They can also make your air conditioning work harder and stop working if the coil freezes. 

You can easily avoid AC problems by routinely cleaning or replacing the air filter. How do you know if you should change your filters? If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s almost definitely time to. But for a general rule of thumb, make sure you try to change flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months. 

3. Frozen Condenser Coils 

Your air conditioner’s coils are crucial components because they release heat from your home into the outdoor air. But even in the summer, ice can form on the coils. Frozen coils won’t be able to manage the cooling process as easily, and in severe cases enough ice can block the AC from running outright. 

Freezing can be linked to different issues, including: 

• Dirty coils caused by a lack of annual maintenance 
• Dirty air filters, which restrict airflow 
• Clogged drain line, which can cause moisture buildup 

• Refrigerant leaks, which reduce cooling power 

If your air conditioner has frozen, turn it off and let the coils thaw. This could take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by switching settings to “fan only.” This will blow warm air on the coils without going through a refrigeration cycle. 

It’s smart to examine your air filter first. If you can’t see light through it, replace it. The other issues, such as dirty coils, a clogged drain line or refrigerant leaks, are best handled with professional assistance. 

4. Refrigerant Leak 

Your air conditioning system employs refrigerant to transfer heat. When it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you might notice you’re getting a lot of hot air. Here are some signs you’re dealing with a leak: 

• Not enough cold air 
• Home is humid 
• Longer than normal cooling cycles 
• Frozen evaporator coils 
• Bubbling or hissing air conditioner noises 

• Sweet smell near the air conditioner 

If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2011, it most likely uses Freon® or R-22. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Only recycled supplies are obtainable, which makes refrigerant leaks more expensive to correct. 

If your R-22 air conditioner is dealing with a refrigerant leak, we recommend air conditioning installation due to age and the refrigerant being obsolete. Newer air conditioners utilize Puron or R-410A, which is better for the environment. 

We realize that replacing your air conditioner can be an emergency that you aren’t equipped for. Ask us about our Advantage Program™, which gives you a new air conditioner for just one low monthly fee. Repairs and maintenance are included, and you’ll get to keep any worthwhile manufacturer’s rebates. 

5. Water Leak 

Your AC unit uses a condensate drain line to flush water it removes from the air. If you’ve skipped air conditioning maintenance, this drain can become blocked with mold and cause water to back up. If this happens, you’ll notice water leaking. 

Turn off your air conditioner to avoid damage and contact us at 866-397-3787 for assistance. 

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker 

There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioner keeps tripping its circuit breaker. Here are some of the most widespread ones: 

• Dirty air filter is gravely limiting airflow. 

• Your air conditioner is overheating because of inadequate refrigerant. 
• Condenser coils are dirty and restricting airflow. 
• Condenser fan motor has broken and coils are overheating. 
• Electrical connections are worn or loose. 
• Blower motor is malfunctioning. 

• Compressor is drawing too much power or wiring is faulty. 
• Capacitor in charge of starting the compressor has failed. 

Like we mentioned earlier, examine your air filter first, as that is most likely to be the culprit. Any other problems should be resolved by an HVAC professional like Midway Services. 

7. Short Cycling 

A faulty cooling cycle can also be responsible. Short cycling is an annoying malfunction when the air conditioner turns off before the expected temperature has reached the rest of the house. If you suspect your air conditioner is short cycling, listen to how long the air is running before it turns off. Your average air conditioner typically runs for 15 to 20 minutes and stays off for around the same period of time. But when it’s short cycling, your cooling is turning on and off in quick bursts. 

This places heavy strain on moving parts and vital components such as the blower motor. Short cycling or any kind of irregular cooling cycles are often caused by overheating. The internal chamber gets too hot before safety components switch the AC off. This happens over and over, particularly if the root cause of the overheating isn’t addressed. 

Trust the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Repair and Maintenance Needs 

The number one way for you to prevent air conditioning problems is to participate in a preventive maintenance program. At Midway Services, we provide several HVAC memberships to accommodate your needs and budget. Faulty wiring, low refrigerant and dirty coils can be discovered and corrected with routine tune-ups. 

Occasionally repairs are inescapable, but as a maintenance member, you’ll enjoy special discounts on service, 24/7/365 priority service, no trip or overtime charges and more. Ready to sign up for a membership program or to schedule your repair appointment? Call us at 727-219-2471 today!