7 Common Problems your Air Conditioner May Run Into (And How to Fix Them)
If you live in a warm climate, then you know just how important it is to have an air conditioner that is functioning properly. It’s not fun to live with heat and it’s certainly not very healthy. But here are a number of things that can go wrong with your air conditioner which means you could be looking at hundreds of dollars’ worth of repair bills. These are some common problems your air conditioner may encounter and what you can do in order tom avoid them and keep on moving.
- Air Conditioner Making Noises
If you hear strange and loud noise from your air conditioner unit, then it is a sign that there is a problem. Depending on the type of problem, an air conditioner can make different sounds which may require different solutions. A refrigerant leak can produce a hissing sound, clicking sounds when turning on and off the AC might be a relay problem, thumping, rattling, or banging noise mean a problem with a blower or motor assembly, a screeching noise might be from a compressor or fan motor, a grinding sound points toward the compressor or motor failure, a bubbling noise is produced due to a refrigerant leak or excess moisture in your unit, and the faulty electrical components may produce buzzing sound. You should never ignore the AC noise issue and contact an HVAC professional immediately. A technician will help you figure out what the sound means and
- Water Leaking Indoors and Outdoors
Water leaking from an air conditioner indoors means that your maintenance is overdue. The main reason is that the condensate drain of the system gets clogged up due to algae or fungi which causes the water to back up the pipe and into your home. Also, the condensate pump may have broken down completely and require replacement. This can be fixed by unclogging the condensate pipe using a wet or dry vacuum. You can also pour 6 ounces of vinegar in the drain line to kill fungi or algae build-up. The exact location of the drain pipe within your unit may be wary, so consult the user manual beforehand. Water leaking outside from your air conditioner especially in cool weather might be due to dirty dry filters, improper installation, blocked drain pipe, low coolant levels, broken condensate pan, etc. pipe within your unit may be wary, so consult the user manual beforehand. After diagnosing this AC issue, the first thing you should do is turn off your air conditioner and disconnect the power supply. Things can get tricky if this problem is not taken care of timely. For such a type of air conditioner problem, you might need to call a professional.
- Air Conditioner Refrigerant Leak
Air conditioner refrigerant is responsible for cooling the air within your air conditioning system. When it starts to leak, it causes temperature variation and reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency. It may also lead to high power consumption, coil freezing, damaged compressor, and uneven cooling. In case of a minor leak, you will have to top up the refrigerant and apply a minor fix. In case of a larger fault within the pipes, the whole network might need to be changed. While recharging the refrigerant, be careful not to overcharge or undercharge the refrigerant. The performance of your AC remains top-notch if the refrigerant charge matches the manufacturer’s specifications.Having this examined yearly by a trained AC technician is advised.
This occurs when your air conditioner does not receive sufficient air to operate normally due to debris build-up. This makes your air conditioner to freeze up and stop working. The insufficient air flow is a result of blocked vents and ducts, dirty filters, or a faulty fan. The dirt accumulated on the coils restricts the airflow, and warm air does not reach the refrigerant. In this case, the refrigerant becomes too cold, and any moisture on the coils freezes. Over time, the coil is encased with ice, preventing the refrigerant in the coil from absorbing latent heat. This AC problem disrupts smooth air conditioning in your home. A clean air filter is important to maximise airflow and indoor air quality. To diagnose this problem, first, inspect the damage. Then, let the evaporator coil thaw (defrost). This can be done by not using the unit. Be sure to disconnect the power first. The evaporator coil usually takes 24 hours to thaw completely. You can speed up the process by using a hairdryer. But be careful not to overheat the coil. In case of moderate frost, keep your system running on fan mode since the blower fan melts away the frost without shutting down the unit.
A clogged air filter restricts the airflow, decreasing the efficiency of your air conditioning system. A dirty filter also reduces the ability of the system to cool the air effectively. One way to determine if a filter needs to be cleaned is to check if any light passes through it. If not, it’s time to clean it. Dirty filters not only reduce the flow of air but can also cause the AC unit to freeze. If you feel that your air conditioner’s airflow is feeling stuffy or clogged up, check the air filter and try cleaning it since it is probably that dirty air filter restricting the airflow. Pet owners should be extra careful about the air filters because they need to change the air filter more often due to pet fur. You should clean your filter every two weeks and change your air filter every two months during peak seasons when AC is used most of the time. Swift Air Conditioners can also help you keep a check on your system’s filter status. They can send an alert about when to clean the air filter.
The drain pipeline like the filter can become clogged with dirt, dust, lint, or algae. This makes the drain pan to fill up and water will leak out which cause damage to the air conditioning unit. Also, mould, fungus and mildew will develop if the water does not drain properly. You may also experience gasses and bad odour into your property. To prevent this problem from happening you have to maintain your drain line regularly, clean and do inspections.
This acts as an integral component in air conditioning system. It helps refrigerants to carry out heat exchange and regulates the air conditioning pressure by applying energy to the refrigerant and propels it through the coils. When there are dirty coils, changes in refrigerant levels, and lack of lubrication may lead to compressor failure. When the refrigerant is not enough, the compressor becomes hot and stop working and the AC unit will not cool your home. If there is more than required, the refrigerant eventually returns to the compressor which can cause it to fail. Contact us to solve this common AC problem. If there is severe damage, it is better to replace the compressor instead of performing air conditioning repair. It’s important to know how to fix air conditioner problems, especially if you’re stuck in the heat on a sweltering summer day and your air conditioner is not working. The sooner those problems are fixed, the sooner you can get back to the comforts and cool breezes of a turned-on AC.
Book a free quote now and we will get back to you with solutions tailored to your air conditioning replacement needs or call us on (02) 9018 9234 and we’ll help you through the process.