Having a cool home during hot and humid summer days is essential for our comfort, and air conditioners help us achieve that. However, it’s frustrating when you discover your relatively new air conditioner is leaking water or worse, malfunctioning. How did it break down so quickly?
Your air conditioner can stop working due to various reasons. Luckily, some of the reasons are relatively inexpensive to fix, such as a blocked air filter.
A malfunctioning compressor in your air conditioning unit can cause it to stop working correctly. In such a case, you may need to contact an emergency air conditioning service to fix the issue. Various factors can cause your air conditioning unit not to work as expected.
Table of Contents
Refrigerants are Low
If your air conditioner leaks the refrigerant lines, it will lose refrigerant and won’t work correctly. Fixing this requires more than simply adding more refrigerant. You’ll need to locate and repair the holes, which can be time-consuming and expensive, especially if there are multiple leaks. This may require professional air conditioning service.
Evaporator Coils are Frozen
To work effectively, the evaporator coil in an air conditioner needs warm air flowing around it. It absorbs heat from the environment using refrigerant. If the airflow is disrupted and the evaporator coils become cold, they can develop an ice layer on the outside. Seeking a professional air conditioning service is the best solution if your air conditioner is blowing warm air or no air at all.
Condenser Coils are Dirty
The condenser coils in your air conditioner have the critical task of removing hot air outside. But these coils may not work correctly if they get dirty or grimy. This means the heat exchange won’t happen as it should, and your unit must work harder. As a result, the parts could wear out more quickly, or the system could even fail.
Problems in The Fan
If the fans inside your air conditioner are not functioning correctly, it can cause airflow issues and result in problems with your air conditioning. There are two fans, one that cools indoor air over the evaporator coil and another that expels absorbed heat outside. Neglecting this issue can cause the compressor to fail and could ultimately lead to the air conditioner breaking down. Having a problem with the fans in your air conditioning system means having them repaired promptly is crucial.
Ducts are Leaking
If your central air conditioning system’s ductwork has leaks or gaps and runs through your walls, the cooled air might get stuck in your walls, wasting energy and higher energy bills.
Problems in The Thermostat
If you have an older dial-type thermostat, it may be calibrated incorrectly, causing your air conditioner to receive the wrong instructions. This can be fixed by recalibrating the thermostat or upgrading to a newer version. Although programmable thermostats are less likely to experience human errors, they can still be set incorrectly by mistake.
Drains are Clogged
Your air conditioner absorbs moisture from the surrounding air and expels the excess through a drain line. If the drain line becomes clogged, water leakage can result, causing damage to your walls and furnishings. If left unattended, mould could develop due to a prolonged period. To prevent this, it is important to periodically service your air conditioner, which will help protect both your AC unit and your home’s interior.
Final Thoughts
There can be multiple reasons for your air conditioner to stop operating, and the issue could be resolved by addressing simpler and less costly factors like a clogged air filter.
There are ways to prevent airflow problems caused by freezing coils. One of them is to replace dirty filters periodically. Clogged air filters can cause such issues, so returning them on time is important.
It is recommended to have your ductwork inspected and any holes repaired if you are experiencing reduced airflow from your air conditioning system or high energy bills. Contact an air conditioning service to inspect and assess your ductwork’s condition.
Remove any dirt and debris from your air conditioner’s outdoor unit and condenser to ensure proper function. If they get clogged with leaves, dirt, or trash, the unit won’t be able to expel heat effectively.
It’s important to prioritize regular maintenance for your air conditioner. By scheduling an air conditioning service to inspect and tune up your unit, you can prevent the most common issues and avoid costly repairs.
Regularly maintaining your air conditioner is more cost-effective than repairing it. Getting your air conditioner serviced periodically can help prevent it from breaking down during the year’s hottest months.