303-328-3060September 10, 2021
The 10 Most Common Air Conditioning Problems and Solutions in Spring
How to Prevent Air Conditioning Problems
When temperatures start to warm up, the last thing you need is a surprise air conditioning problem. The good news is most common air conditioner problems are preventable! Here are the most common issues we see and how you can avoid them with some basic spring air conditioner maintenance.
Tripped Breaker
One of the most common causes of no-cool calls is a tripped breaker.
Breakers are designed to protect your system and your home. Check that the circuit your AC unit runs on isn’t tripped. If it is, simply flip the breaker switch all the way off and then all the way on. If the problem continues, it may be sign of a larger electrical issue.
Sometimes the fix is simple, like a bad breaker, loose wire or a bad capacitor. Our experienced technicians can check your system and make any electrical upgrades so you have enough power to keep your AC running all summer.
Dirty Furnace Filter
It’s out of sight and out of mind, so it’s easy to forget. Yet, every year we go on service calls where the A/C isn’t cooling because of restricted air flow from a very dirty filter.
When your AC cools your home, it uses the same system as your furnace. Your should replace your filter at least every other month to keep the air flowing freely through.
Dirty filters reduce indoor air quality, make a home less comfortable and can result in frozen indoor coils. They can lead to serious, and sometimes expensive, repairs. Set a reminder and keep your filter clean.
Refrigerant Leaks
An air conditioning system is a sealed system. It should never leak refrigerant. When it does, several things could happen:
- Efficiency falls.
- Electricity use rises.
- Your air conditioner may not cool.
- The coil may freeze.
- The compressor could become damaged.
Refrigerants are greenhouse gases. If you have an air conditioner leaking refrigerant, schedule with one of our technicians. We use a variety of tools to track down leaks. Often the problem is as simple as a bad valve or a weakened connection between a fitting and tubing which we can quickly repair.
Switch Turned Off
Some heating and A/C systems have a wall switch at the indoor unit for safety and convenience. It can easily be confused with a light switch. If this is accidentally switched off or left off during mild weather, your air conditioner will not start.
Always check your air conditioner switch before calling for service.
Thermostat Problems
Some thermostats need to be toggled between heating and cooling modes. If your thermostat is in the wrong position or is broken, your A/C unit won’t start.
Consider investing in a quality digital thermostat that will save energy and last longer. We advise against some of the cheaper models available from the big box stores which might break or cause a voltage spike and malfunction.
Clogged Drain Line
Air conditioners pull moisture out of humid air while lowering the temperature in your home. This moisture typically drains out through your plumbing system. You should have a drain pan as a backup with a secondary condensate drain.
Algae can grow in your drain lines and clog them. This can lead to water damage in your home.
We can clear your drain lines as part of our spring A/C inspection/tune-up, or you can have it done separately as needed.
Contactor
A contactor is an electromechanical switch in your air conditioner. Sometimes the coating on a contactor will wear off and it will stick, causing the outside unit to run continuously. This can become expensive quickly!
Ants may be attracted to the electricity and get caught between contactors, blocking them from closing. If this happens, the outside unit won’t run.
Contactors can also fail electrically. We check these as part of our Spring tune-up and clean the surface of the contactors as needed. We can also recommend replacement if failure appears imminent.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is located inside a home. Liquid refrigerant is pumped into this coil to evaporate and draw heat from the air being blown across the coil.
Have your evaporator coil cleaned periodically. Dust and build up will restrict heat transfer capabilities and reduce air flow down the ducts. Dirty coils can increase operating costs while reducing comfort.
Dirty Condenser Coil
The condenser coil is located outside of your home. The compressor pulls refrigerant gas from the evaporator and pumps it through the outdoor coil. There it condenses into a liquid as the condensing unit fan pulls air across the coil.
A dirty or restricted condenser coil is inefficient, increases electricity usage and reduces cooling capacity. Have yours cleaned as part of your regular AC spring tune up.
Duct Leaks
Your heating and air conditioning system uses the duct system in your home to deliver hot or cold air to all your rooms. If the ducts leak and are located outside of the living space, you’re essentially paying to cool the outdoors! If the ducts return that air leak, you pull in unconditioned, unfiltered air.
Duct leakage is one of the leading causes of inefficient A/C operation. Leaks can range from duct penetration to split seams to completely disconnected ducts. These leaks can cost you significant money on your energy bill!
Air Conditioner Service, Colorado
If you have any questions about your air conditioner, your HVAC system or want to speak to a specialist, call Applewood today. You can also schedule an appointment online. Applewood is open 6am to 10pm 7 days a week to serve all your air conditioner needs at your convenience with NO overtime charges.