HVAC Articles and Tips» What are the most common air condition problems?

What are the most common air condition problems?

The most common air conditioner problems involve electrical, refrigerant, air duct, or filter issues.

The number one complaint is that (the unit) is not cooling, and the number one cause is that it's low on Freon. Almost everybody thinks that, whether it is a motor or a part, they still need Freon as well. 

Freon is a refrigerant that allows air conditioners and refrigerators to cool the air. The unit should be tested for leaks and properly repaired before more refrigerant is added.

If your unit is not operating properly, is blowing hot air, or does not turn on at all, you may have electrical problems. Before calling a service technician you should first check to make sure that the unit has not simply blown a fuse or circuit breaker, a problem that can be corrected by changing the fuse or flipping a switch in the fuse box. If the unit continues to blow fuses or flip the circuit breaker, this signifies a larger electrical problem that will need to be examined by a technician.

Other electrical problems include wiring, compressor, and fan motor issues. Wires sometimes short-circuit or burn through at the connection during an electrical surge. Another possible cause of wiring problems is chewing by a small animal or pet. Compressor and fan motors may eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Having dirty coils or filters can overtax these motors causing them to wear out more quickly.

Another problem is the air conditioning unit freezing up. This can be caused by running the unit when the temperature is under 60 degrees outdoors. If this is the case you can simply turn off the unit while leaving the fan running until the ice melts. Other causes may include low refrigerant levels, dirty coils, or dirty filters.

You may also experience decreased cooling if your air ducts and return system are not operating properly. You will want to make sure that all air supply registers are fully open and not blocked by furniture or other obstacles. Your ductwork may also have damper controls in the basement or crawl space of your home that can restrict the flow of air to certain rooms. Another thing to check is whether air can freely flow to your return air ducts. Doors should be left cracked if they do not have adequate room underneath for air to escape. If your home has multiple stories you will want to make sure that the upper floors have a return system. If they do not, one can usually be added and will greatly improve the cooling upstairs.

If all other problems are ruled out and you continue to experience inadequate cooling, you should check to be sure that your air ducts are airtight and properly insulated.

Dirty coils or filters may also cause your air conditioning unit to stop performing at optimum capacity. Filters are usually located in the wall at the return duct or in the air conditioner itself. You should check your filter or filters once a month and clean or replace them as needed. You may need to check them more often if your home is very dusty or if you have pets with long hair. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, a division of the U.S. Dept. of Energy, says that changing or cleaning your air filters is the most important maintenance task to ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner. Condenser and evaporator coils should be cleaned as part of your yearly maintenance routine.