Air conditioners are no longer a luxury but a necessary amenity in every household, especially if you live in warm and humid areas. When temperatures are high, these units should work flawlessly to maintain the optimal temperature in your home.
Unfortunately, breakdowns can happen when you least expect them, even if you regularly maintain your device. Whether the cooling ability is low, the airflow is poor, or your unit isn’t turning on, these problems indicate that something is going on with your AC.
Before you call the technicians to solve the problem (see here how to hire them), you can do the diagnostics yourself. It can often happen that there are minor bugs you can solve on your own. We advise you on how to troubleshoot your AC safely, solve minor bugs, and when to call professionals.
Unit Doesn’t Blow Cold Air
This is one of the most common and unpleasant problems because it affects the basic function of your AC. There are several reasons why this bug occurs. Maybe it’s a minor fault, like an incorrectly set thermostat. So try to change the setting, lower the temperature by a few degrees, and see what happens. Also, check the vent openings.
If the situation doesn’t change, unplug the device and check the evaporator and filters. If either of these two is dirty or clogged, the cooling function will be disabled. The device won’t cool the room, but it can also pollute the air due to all the dirt, allergens, pet hair, and debris in it.
That’s why you have to clean or change the filters regularly. It’s an easy job that doesn’t require specific skills but can significantly improve the AC performance and reduce the possibility of breakdowns. The same goes for the evaporator coil. If it’s clogged, ice can form on it, blocking the flow of water. Clean it regularly, and such issues won’t happen.
AC Not Turning On
If you experience this failure, there is every chance the problem is in the electrical supplies. It can be a minor bug, such as a tripped circuit breaker. Check a fuse box and see whether all circuits are set to the ON position. If nothing happens after this intervention, but you suspect the problem is still there, it’s best to call an electrician.
Another problem can be the AC that won’t turn off or turns on and off alternately. The first situation can be a sign that the filters are dirty, or the ducts are clogged. If this problem isn’t solved in time, it can lead to compressor failure, which is one of the more expensive and complex AC repairs. So, clean all the above and try to start your AC. If nothing happens, you can call Bosque Heating, Cooling and Plumbing technicians.
Water Leaks
Some condensation in and around your AC is common, especially on outdoor units. In case you notice major leaks inside the house, especially if they have a strange smell and color, it’s most likely a refrigerant leak. That can also be the reason why the AC doesn’t cool you down enough.
When you notice puddles of water inside the room, be sure to turn off your air conditioner to prevent a short circuit. Modern units have special safety switches that stop operation if the drain line fills with water. That most often happens if the condensate drain line is blocked. And in case of outside leaks, dirty filters might be the trigger, too.
Tips on cleaning the AC drain lines are below:
https://www.wikihow.com/Unclog-an-AC-Drain
If filter and drain cleaning don’t help, most likely the problem is with the condensate pump, and that fault should be solved by professionals. As for low refrigerant level, it indicates a leak somewhere because this liquid is inside a closed system. If it’s necessary to refill the refrigerant, it’s best to leave that work to an expert, who can also repair or replace broken parts.
Regular AC maintenance will prevent most of the mentioned problems. If they still happen, solving them can be a no-brainer if troubleshooted correctly. Still, if you don’t know how to do that or suspect major issues, don’t mess around; leave this job to AC experts.