There’s nothing worse than when an air conditioner stops working during the peak of summer. Not only is it super-inconvenient, but it’s also an air conditioner installer’s busiest time of the year. Luckily, not every air conditioning will require serious repairs and there are things you can do yourself until a HVAC professional can come in. To help you out, we’ve put together common air conditioner problems you may have come across and the solutions to fix and avoid them!
Air Conditioner isn’t turning on
This is probably one of the most common problems we see. Unfortunately, there’s not just one reason as to why your air conditioner won’t turn on. If you notice that you air conditioner won’t turn on, try checking the following:
- Check to make sure the air conditioner is plugged in.
- Check your circuit breaker box and see if the air conditioner has been turned off.
- If it’s a window unit, make sure the window is open.
- Check that your thermostat is not broken.
Air Conditioner is leaking water
Another common problem that people have with their air conditioners is that they leak water. Whilst it may be normal to see small amounts of water leak from your outdoor unit, excessive water leaking from the indoor air conditioning unit is not normal. In most cases, this is caused by a clogged drain line. When the drain line becomes clogged, water can back up into the unit and cause it to leak. You should be able to remove the clogged debris from the drain line with a small vacuum. To prevent this from happening in the future, it’s important to keep your air conditioner well maintained and serviced.
Air Conditioner is blowing out hot air
On a hot summer’s day, there’s nothing better than a constant supply of cold air from your air conditioning unit. If your air conditioner is blowing out hot even when it is set to cool, there are a few potential causes. One possibility is that the thermostat is not set correctly. If it is set too low, your AC unit will blow out hot air. Another possibility is that the condenser coils are dirty. The coils need to be cleaned frequently to prevent this from happening.
Air conditioning unit keeps turning off and on
This problem is known as short cycling. It occurs when your air conditioner’s evaporator coil becomes too cold. One reason this happens is that your air conditioner is too powerful for your home. This causes your home to cool extremely fast which then prompts the air conditioner to shut off. To prevent this issue, it’s important your aircon is the correct size for your home. Other possible causes included miscalibrated thermostats, dirty filters, or clogged condensate drains. Thermostats can lose their initial calibration if it gets dirty. When this happens, it can result in the air conditioner cycling on and off more than necessary. Dirty filters will restrict airflow and cause the evaporator coil to become too cold.
Air Conditioner smells bad
The air that blows out of your air conditioner shouldn’t smell terrible. If it does, there’s probably something wrong with the air conditioner. In most cases, this is caused by a dirty air filter. You should clean your air filter every month to help prevent this from happening and prevent other problems from developing. Not only do dirty air filters prevent bad smells, but clean air filters also have many benefits such as cleaner air and reduction of allergens. However, if you notice a burning smell, it could be a sign of an electrical problem which should be attended to by a licensed air conditioning installer or electrician as soon as possible.
Thermostat is not working
A broken thermostat can make you start to worry that there is something seriously wrong with the actual air conditioning system. However, broken thermostats are fairly common and can be fixed. One common issue that you may experience is the thermostat not being able to accurately read the temperature in the room. Usually, this is a result of dirty thermostat components. You can clean the thermostat using a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush. Another common issue is you may notice your thermostat is unresponsive. Often this is related to a low battery or a blown fuse.
Air Conditioner is making weird noises
If you are hearing strange noises coming from your air conditioner, it could be a sign that there is something wrong. This could be a result of a number of things such as a clogged compressor or a problem with the fan belt. If you are unsure of what the noise is, it is always best to consult with a professional as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and fix it before further problems arise. With regular maintenance and service, you’ll reduce the risk of things like clogged compressors or fan belt alignment issues.
Air Conditioner bills have gone up
If you’ve noticed your air conditioning bills rise over time, it could be a sign that there is something wrong with your air conditioner’s efficiency. The usual cause is due to dirty filters. Lucky for you, a dirty air filter can easily be cleaned. Filters should be cleaned frequently and replaced every three months. Another possibility is that the refrigerant levels are low. Refrigerant is what helps your AC unit cool the air. When it’s low, your AC unit has to work harder to cool the air, which raises your energy bill.
Avoid air conditioner problems with regular servicing
Whilst you won’t be able to diagnose and fix every problem with your air conditioner, it’s clear that with regular servicing and maintenance, you can avoid many of them. Now you know what most of the common air conditioning problems are, it’s important to maintain regular service intervals. Most residential air conditioners should be serviced once a year. If you can’t remember the last time you serviced your air conditioning system, it’s probably time! At Busselton Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, we service the entire South West region. Get in contact with our friendly team to book your air conditioner for its next service with a qualified repair technician.