Air conditioner issues in the middle of a hot and humid Florida summer? Nobody has time for that.
If your home’s indoor air quality is suboptimal, you definitely want to troubleshoot your HVAC system. Ignoring the signs of an air conditioner issue can lead to internal problems on your home’s systems, or worse yet, cause health problems.
After more than 20 years in the air conditioner and heating business, our air conditioner pros have seen it all. Can we help make your indoor air a little more comfortable?
If you’re having issues with your air conditioning system, look no further. Streamline Air here: Here are some of the top 10 air conditioner issues most homeowners face with their air conditioning systems.
10 Common air conditioner issues and problems you’ll face
| 1. Airflow is disrupted (either hot, constant, or inconsistent airflow) 2. Air conditioner installation and maintenance issues 3. Air conditioner failure and/or tripped circuit breaker 4. Refrigerant and/or water leaks 5. Air conditioner sensor issues 6. Faulty or insufficient maintenance work 7. Electric control issues 8. Drainage issues 9. Odors and smells coming from the air conditioner 10. Weird sounds emitted from the air conditioner |
1. Airflow disrupted
If you notice that airflow is disrupted through your home, the issue could revolve around the flow of air throughout your home. The cause of disrupted airflow could relate to whether the rooms and doors are closed.
To ensure proper air circulation and flow throughout a home, keep all interior doors open. Doing so will ensure that air makes its way through as many open spaces as evenly as possible.
2. A/C installation and maintenance issues
Alas, sometimes when an air conditioner is installed, the A/C unit can still cause issues. A faulty installation can cause leaky ducts and low airflow.
If poor service procedures are in place, air conditioning issues can crop up. For example, incorrect refrigerant changes or poor maintenance can result in less efficient A/C systems.
To correct air conditioner installation and maintenance issues, try hiring a qualified air conditioning technician for installation and maintenance work. You can also do your part by asking your HVAC specialist to ensure refrigerant levels match the manufacturer’s specifications for your air conditioning system.
In summary, if your air conditioner isn’t working, faulty maintenance and installation should be one of the first issues you address.
3. Air conditioner system failures and tripped circuit breakers
One of the underlying problems with a faulty air conditioner system is power failures. If you do an initial check and the system fails, check fuses or circuit breakers.
Before resetting your unit, allow the unit to cool for five minutes.
Also, the issue might have to do with the compressor. On scorching hot days, a tripped high-pressure limit switch may stop the compressor from working.
Finally, if your A/C unit keeps tripping its breaker, and you can’t seem to resolve the issue, call an HVAC professional for timely A/C maintenance and support.
4. A/C refrigerant or water leaks
One of the many common reasons an air conditioner won’t work is because the air conditioner is leaking water or refrigerant fluid. Another reason is that the air conditioner is low on refrigerant fluid.
The reason an air conditioner might leak water or refrigerant is because the A/C unit is undercharging at installation. To fix this issue, trained technicians should address leaks, test repairs, and charge the A/C system according to the A/C unit’s manual specifications.
Before adding more refrigerant, ensure that repairs are sound. Once you confirm that the repairs are complete, be very cautious before handling and disposing of refrigerant, as refrigerant fluid can be harmful to the environment.
5. Air conditioner thermostat sensor issues
Thermostat sensor issues are one of the most common problems affecting air conditioners. But different thermostats need different care.
- Central air conditioning systems: To ensure a properly working central A/C thermostat (and to prevent thermostat sensor issues), you should ensure your thermostat is positioned out of direct sunlight and obstructions.
- Room air conditioning systems: Ensure the thermostat sensor behind the control panel is positioned near the evaporative coil. The thermostat sensor should not be touching the coil, though.
By keeping the thermostat away from rooms, doors, or drafty spaces, you can ensure your thermostat doesn’t display incorrect temperatures and therefore lower your air conditioner’s performance.
Instead, placing a thermostat out of direct sunlight and near the evaporative coil will ensure an accurate gauge of the temperature in the house and help your air conditioner system operate as it should.
6. Inconsistent A/C maintenance schedule
If you’re not giving your A/C comprehensive repairs at least once or twice a year, in the spring and the fall, certain systems in the air conditioner can malfunction.
Lapsing on maintenance can increase the chance of dirty air filters or coils. When air filters and coils become dirty, systems can malfunction.
When a system malfunctions, premature compressor or fan failure can occur. And nobody wants that.
The solution? Check air filters often, and ensure filters fit snugly on the return air duct so that air isn’t restricted from passing through air ducts and into your home.
7. Electric control failures
If they don’t receive regular maintenance,air conditioning units can sometimes experience electric failures. The reason for an electric control failure is that the air conditioner on- and off-cycles (often called short-cycling).
Also, when wires and terminals corrode, electric control failures can occur. One of the best ways to resolve electric control failures and deal with electrical issues is by checking electrical connections and contacts during regular maintenance appointments with your trusted HVAC technician.
8. Drainage issues
Another serious issue with air conditioners is when water doesn’t come out of an A/C drain pipe. To prevent drainage issues and clogs, check the condensate drain line to make sure it’s draining.
If you own a room air conditioner, make sure to mount the air conditioning system. Doing so will ensure your air conditioning system drains as it should.
One way you can keep drain lines clean and working is by flushing the drain line with bleach and water and by keeping condensate pumps debris-free. Bleach and water can help prevent mold growth, which can help ensure your HVAC system is working properly.
9. Odors and smells coming from the A/C unit
Another serious A/C issue has to do with olfactory senses. If you notice a burning or musty smell coming from your A/C unit’s vents — or close to the main A/C unit — you might have issues with your air conditioner.
What’s more, if you notice burning smells, you might have issues with wiring from the blower motor. If your air filters are clogged, your system can over heat, which can lead to burning smells.
Finally, if you smell mildew, your drain lines may not be draining as they should.
If you notice burning smells, turn off your A/C unit as soon as possible. Next, check your air filters.
If the air filters look dirty, go ahead and replace them. Then, schedule a regular cleaning of and maintenance for your home’s air ducts.
A quick maintenance check can do a world of wonder for your A/C system. Reach out to your local HVAC professionals to help resolve the source of A/C-related odors.
10. Weird sounds coming from the air conditioner
Strange vibrations, squealing, or grinding noises can dictate that something urgent is occurring and needing emergency HVAC repairs.
If you notice squealing sounds coming from your A/C unit, you might have a worn or misaligned belt. What’s more, grinding noises can be dangerous and often mean issues with the A/C’s motor bearings.
You can resolve grinding noises by checking belts, keeping bearings lubricated, and protecting the compressor motor. If you’re not sure how to address these issues, feel free to reach out to an HVAC professional.
They’ll offer comprehensive support and arrive toolkit ready to address the issue, night or day.
Streamline pro tip
Since air conditioning units play an important role in reducing human exposure to indoor chemical and biological pollutants (like fungal spores) during hot and humid conditions (Leung, 2015), purchasing a climate-friendly air conditioner is key for staying healthy and being stewards to Mother Nature.
With that being said, if you’re thinking about replacing your air conditioning system before summer rolls through, many HVAC companies offer 0% APR financing options on the latest eco-friendly air conditioning systems and technologies.
That’s how we operate at Streamline Air. Our HVAC financing partner, Synchrony Bank, offers 0% APR financing on select HVAC systems.
To learn more about 0% APR financing, visit our Facebook page here!
Nip air conditioner issues in the bud. Opt for professional HVAC services
Don’t let A/C problems ruin your day. If you’ve tried resolving A/C issues using the solutions from our list above, and your air conditioning system still won’t work, have you tried seeking out an air conditioning specialist’s advice?
An HVAC professional has the tools, knowledge, equipment, and experience to resolve air conditioning issues in less time and at an affordable rate.
At Streamline Heating and Air, our Straightforward Professionals offer Simplified Solutions to help our customers feel more comfortable and relaxed in their homes. If your indoor or outdoor unit is causing you issues, don’t hesitate to call our team for quick and comprehensive heating and cooling solutions.
Until then, be well, and we look forward to helping you in the near future!
