When the summertime heat sets in, many of us rely on our home air conditioning systems to stay comfortable. Unfortunately, from time to time, your air conditioner can experience issues that will require professional assistance from an expert AC repair team. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common signs of a malfunction and how to fix them.
Blowing Warm Air
One of the most frustrating problems you may experience with your air conditioner is its blowing hot air. The culprit behind this issue could be a faulty compressor, dirty air filter, wrong thermostat setting, or even a low refrigerant level. A great place to start is with your air filter to see if it needs replacing.
If it’s overly dirty, it can restrict airflow throughout your ducting so that the air coming out of your vents doesn’t feel as cold. If the air filter is fine, you may have the blower fan on your thermostat set to “on” instead of “auto.” When the fan is set to “on,” it will run 24/7 regardless of whether your air conditioner is running or not. This will cause it to blow cold air when the air conditioner is running and warm air when it’s not. If the problem doesn’t lie with your air filter or your thermostat settings, the issue is likely with the compressor or the refrigerant, which will require professional assistance.
Weak Airflow
One particularly frustrating issue you may run into is weak or no airflow coming out of your vents. It’s important to check all the vents in your home so you can determine whether the issue is widespread or in a secluded area. In the event the issue is in a secluded area, it’s likely there’s an obstruction in the ductwork.
This could be a pest infestation or just an excessive buildup of debris. Usually, you’ll need one of our professionals and their specialized equipment to remove this debris from your ductwork to restore the regular airflow of your air conditioner.
If it’s a widespread issue, the first place you’ll want to look is your air filter. If it’s too full of debris, it will significantly reduce the airflow. If your filter looks fine, the issue likely lies in the blower compartment. The blower fan motor may have burned up. The blower fan belt may have frayed and come off.
There may also be a restriction in the pulley or the fan itself that’s preventing it from spinning. We highly recommend having one of our professionals further assess your blower compartment to determine the root cause of the issue and repair it swiftly.
Frozen Coils
Your air conditioner has both an evaporator and condenser coil that are responsible for transferring heat from the air to the refrigerant inside the coil and vice versa. When there’s a problem with the coil, the refrigerator inside can start to freeze up and cause the entire metal surface of the coil to form ice. When this happens, you’ll notice warm air coming out of your vents, your air conditioner may shut off as a precautionary safety measure, or it may even short cycle.
In a lot of cases, the reason these coils freeze up is because their surface is covered in too much grime. The level of debris prevents heat from moving in and out of the refrigerant inside the coil. Simply cleaning the coil with a specialized solution that’s tough enough to remove the grime but that doesn’t damage the coil is the most effective route. If cleaning the coils doesn’t solve this issue, it may be the result of low refrigerant or poor airflow. One of our technicians can do an in-depth evaluation to determine the actual issue.
Odd Operational Noises
It’s common for your air conditioner to make a clicking noise when it first turns on, and you’ll be able to hear the blower fan running as it works. However, if you notice any noises out of the norm, it’s a key indication there’s an issue with your system. The particular tone of the noise your system is making will give you some insight into where the problem may lie.
For example, a banging or rattling noise usually indicates a broken or loose component. A buzzing noise usually means there’s an electrical issue. Hissing typically means there’s a refrigerant leak while constant clicking usually points to a relay or capacitor issue. In many cases of odd operational noises, it’s best to call us for a professional evaluation. Our technicians are highly experienced in locating the source of noises and repairing them swiftly.
Water Leakage
As your air conditioner runs, it naturally pulls excess moisture out of the air. These droplets form on the evaporator coil and drip down into the drain pan where they flow down your drainage system. Unfortunately, if there’s a clog in the drain pan or in the line in your drainage system, this water could back up and overflow.
Sometimes you may be able to simply remove whatever debris is clogging the drain and restore normal functionality to your air conditioner. However, if the leak isn’t coming from the drain pan, it may actually be refrigerant.
Thermostat Malfunction
It’s best to think of your thermostat as a control board for your entire air conditioner. It tells it when to turn on and when to shut off based on its unique temperature reading and the settings you have programmed into it. As with any component of your air conditioner, your thermostat can also experience malfunctions from time to time.
If the screen is completely blank, it usually means there’s a power issue. This could be something simple like a tripped circuit breaker that needs resetting or dead batteries that need to be replaced. In other cases, the issue may be more complex like the wiring is faulty or the thermostat itself may need replacing.
Another issue you could run into with your thermostat is it’s not reading the appropriate temperature. It’s always best to have another thermometer just to double-check your interior temperature to compare it with what your thermostat is saying. Sometimes the problem may be your thermostat is just in a bad location, such as by a window that receives direct sunlight all day long. This could falsely cause a thermostat to read higher than it actually is. In other cases, your thermostat may need recalibrating by one of our professional technicians.
Weird Smells
Another issue to watch out for when it comes to your home air conditioning system is odd smells. Whenever something smells out of the norm, it could be an indication that there’s an issue with your system. The particular scent you smell can give you some necessary insight into what the problem is.
For example, a musty or mildew smell could indicate mold or mildew growing inside your ductwork or indoor air handler unit. A burning or chemical-like smell typically indicates an electrical issue, like an overheated motor or a wiring problem. Keep in mind that due to the nature of how your air conditioner operates, it may actually be pulling in a smell from another area of your home and redispersing it throughout your entire home.
Expert AC Repair Service
DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers expert AC services in Falmouth, MA. In addition to repairs, can also assist with all your air conditioning installation, replacement, and maintenance needs. Call us today to book your next service consultation.
