7 Common Air Conditioner Problems You Should Never Ignore
People all across America use air-conditioner systems to make their homes comfortable all year round. In fact, these units account for 12% of all home energy spending across the country each year. That might not sound like a huge percentage but on average this spending amounts to $29 billion a year!
However, if you encounter air conditioner problems then this could lead to a serious increase in your home’s energy bills. On top of this, ignoring problems could cause further damage to your system and be extremely expensive to repair.
So what kind of AC problems do you need to look out for? If that’s what you’re wondering then you’ve come to the right place! Read on to find out seven common AC problems that you should never ignore.
1. Filter Issues
Every air conditioner unit is fitted with an air filter. These can have a big effect on the efficiency of your air conditioner unit so when something goes wrong it will affect your energy consumption.
Common air conditioner problems arise when your filter becomes clogged with dirt and dust that passes through it.
Fortunately, it is possible to avoid problems with your filter by maintaining it properly. How you do this may vary depending on the type of filter you have.
Some units have replaceable filters. These need removing and replacing on a regular basis, which can vary depending on the manufacturer. Some need to be replaced monthly while others can last for three months at a time.
Other units use reusable filters. To maintain these, you will need to remove the filter and clean it by hand before replacing it.
2. Broken or Faulty Thermostats
The thermostat on your air conditioner unit allows you to control the temperature of your house. So when this stops working properly, so does the rest of your unit.
There are a couple of simple troubleshooting things you can do to get your thermostat working. You can:
- Ensure that it’s connected to power and turned on.
- Clean inside the thermostat.
- Make sure that it’s level.
- Make sure it is positioned out of direct sunlight and away from other sources of heat.
- Check the settings using the instruction manual.
If none of these things help then you may have another problem. In that case, you need expert help and, possibly, a new thermostat.
3. Poor Drainage
Every air condition unit has a drain line to carry water away from the unit. Over time this can become clogged with dirt, lint, or dust from your unit.
When this happens, it takes longer for water from your unit to drain away and this means that your drain pan will fill up quicker than normal. If this pan leaks or overflows it can damage the air conditioner unit and potentially cause further AC issues.
These leaks can also cause damage to the area around your AC unit and to any property nearby.
4. Worn-Out Contactors
The blower motor and the condenser fan motor are responsible for bringing your air conditioner to life. A worn-out contactor will stop these from working.
These contractors ensure that the motors and AC unit’s compressor receive a full and safe electrical connection. As they are used repeatedly, they can get worn out and won’t provide the same point of connection.
In that case, you will need an expert to help you replace them. If you don’t replace them then eventually the motors and the rest of your AC unit will stop working.
5. Eroded Evaporator Coils
There are two types of coils in your air conditioner unit. The evaporator coils are usually located inside the unit.
These coils take in heat from the air around them and use air ducts to emit cold air back into your home. This is a vital part of cooling down the air in your home.
Over time they can become corroded leading to problems with your AC. Because of this, it is important that a maintenance team takes a look at your evaporator coils every three years or so.
6. Dirty Condenser Coils
Your unit’s condenser coils can be found on the outside of your AC unit. These coils are responsible for releasing heat from your home into the outside air.
Unfortunately, due to their position, they are exposed to a lot of elements that can make them less effective.
It is important to clean them regularly. You can do this once a year yourself using water and a hose but make sure you inspect them for leftover dirt once you have finished. If you can’t clean all the dirt off yourself then an HVAC technician can clean them properly using a chemical cleaner.
7. Refrigerant Leaks
Each air conditioner unit includes a refrigerant liquid that is a vital part of the cooling process. This helps to cool air in the unit down rapidly before it is released back into your home.
However, this can cause a problem if the refrigerant leaks into the rest of your air conditioner unit. When this happens, it will affect the temperature of your entire unit causing it to fluctuate uncontrollably.
This can be a difficult problem to fix depending on the location of the leak. You can help to avoid this problem by getting an HVAC maintenance team to look at your unit once a year.
Get Help With Your Air Conditioner Problems!
When it comes to fixing air conditioner problems, the sooner you step in the better. This will stop the problem from getting more complicated and ensure that your system is back in order as soon as possible.
If you do think you have an air conditioner problem, book an appointment online with a member of our team today. We’re here to help!
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