Some common air conditioner problems are, air conditioner not turning on, the air is not cold, not enough airflow, and water leak around the AC.
The earth’s temperature has gone up by 2.14˚F since the pre-industrial period (1800-1990). This is why many people are installing air conditioners at home.
But electronic devices like AC face several malfunctions throughout their lifespan. In this article, we will look at some common air conditioner problems and ways to fix them so that you can enjoy the cool refreshing breezes of your AC.
1. The Air Conditioner Is Not Turning On
If you turn on your AC and notice that air is not flowing then there might be some problem with the main power panel of the air conditioner. There are multiple circuit boards that might prevent the air conditioner from turning on.
Check the circuit board at the electric panel, the condensing unit, and the air handler. It is likely that the circuits have turned off by themselves.
It is best to call in professionals if this occurs. If you are living near Florida, you can Visit Website of airandenergy and call for their services.
2. The Air is Not Cold
There are several reasons for this problem. A damaged condensing unit, a blocked air filter, or lack of refrigerants, can cause this.
Refrigerants pass through the condensing unit which cools the air inside the AC. If the condensing unit is damaged or has leaks, cool air will leak outside, and the room will not cool down. If the air filter is blocked, then the cold air will not flow out of the AC, and if there are not enough refrigerants in the AC, the air will not be cold.
To fix this issue, replace the damaged condensing unit, clean the air filters and fill up the refrigerant tank with refrigerants to resolve this issue.
3. There is No Airflow
No airflow from the AC might indicate that the blower belt is not working properly. The blower belt blows out the cold air from the condensing unit of the AC through the vents. However, if the blower belt works properly, then something is wrong with the control board of the AC.
An HVAC professional can fix this problem. The blower belt has to be replaced, and the control board has to be checked for any faulty wiring. Fixing the control board should resolve this problem.
4. Warm Air Coming Out the Vents
A malfunctioning thermostat, leaking condensing unit, or blocked air filters, can cause warm air to come out of the AC.
The thermostat controls the temperature of the air conditioner and allows the temperature to go up or down a few degrees. This prevents the air conditioner from turning on or off. So if the thermostat is not working, it cannot maintain the cold temperature and warm air will come out.
To fix this issue, you need to recalibrate or replace the current thermostat and switch to a digital thermostat. Blocking the leaks in the condensing unit and cleaning the air filters should allow the cold air to come out through the vents.
5. The AC is Leaking Water
If you see a small puddle of water directly under the AC, it means your AC is leaking. There are two possible reasons for it.
First, the condensate drain might be blocked and water is not flowing properly in the AC. And second, there might be a blockage in the drain pan hole. If that is the case, the water pressure will build up in the pan hole and cause a water leak.
Simply flushing the condensate drain blockage and the drain pan hole will fix this issue.
6. The AC Is Pumping Too Much Cold Air
If there is a warm object near the air conditioner such as a bright lamp, the thermostat in the AC will think that the room is not getting enough cold air and pump out even colder air.
Another reason might be too many refrigerants passing through the condensing unit and making the air colder than it should be. This happens when the flow control device does not function properly.
Replacing the thermostat control and fixing the flow control device (expansion valve) will solve this.
7. Strange Sounds Coming from the AC
If your AC is making strange noises, it could hint at different problems. This might include high refrigerant pressure, debris clogging the thermostatic expansion valve, fan motors becoming loose, damaged capacitor, damaged blower motor, or failing compressor.
When your air conditioner is making unusual sounds, it is best to call in an HVAC professional. Because there can be so many problems, it is unlikely that you will be able to solve them if you do not have prior experience.
8. Strange Smell Coming out of the Air Conditioner
If a strange smell is coming out from the air conditioner, that indicates chemicals are leaking inside. Molds formed inside the vents can also cause a bad odor. This is a serious problem and must be fixed immediately. Not only is the chemical harmful, but using the AC while it is leaking chemical fumes might cause the AC to explode.
This is yet another issue that needs to be fixed by a professional. They will check the entire working unit of the AC and look for possible leaks. They will also take care of the mold infestation if there is any.
9. The Room Is Getting More Humid
This happens when the dehumidifier unit of the AC is not working properly. Almost all AC’s have a dehumidifier, which removes the dampness of the room. Clogged drain channels or a broken condensate pump can increase the humidity of the room as they leak moisture from the AC.
The solution to this problem is very simple. You need to replace the dehumidifier unit of the AC. Clean and replace the clogged drain channels if you feel the room is getting more humid.
Final Thoughts
Air conditioners have an average lifespan of about 10-15 years if you conduct routine maintenance and repairs. However, if you let these common problems slide, your AC will malfunction sooner and will cost you more to fix it.