During the hot summer months, our air conditioners are often overworked and under-serviced. The less your air conditioner is cared for, the more likely it is to fail when you need it the most. You don’t need to be an expert to notice some of the common air conditioner issues. It often gives you subtle hints before breaking down completely. Thankfully, most of the common AC issues can be fixed and prevented. 

Most common air conditioner problems and their possible solutions:  

Refrigerant leaks 

A refrigerant leak results from tiny cracks or holes in the coils. When refrigerant leaks through these cracks, it creates a hissing noise, and if the crack is large enough, it may create a gurgling noise. When there is a refrigerant leak, simply adding refrigerant won’t do any good. The technician should repair the leak and then add the correct amount of refrigerant as per the manufacturer’s specifications.  

AC running constantly 

In hot weather, your air conditioner may run more often than normal, but it should still turn off periodically once the desired temperature is reached. If the air conditioner is running constantly, it could be due to an issue with the thermostat, air filters, compressors, or one of the electrical components. You should have the issue repaired immediately to protect your air conditioner’s vital components and keep the energy bills from skyrocketing.  

AC blowing warm air 

There are few things more annoying and uncomfortable than an air conditioner that dispenses warm or hot air. When this happens, you should first check the thermostat settings and ensure that they were not accidentally switched. Another reason could be clogged air filters or low refrigerant levels. Try changing the air filters, and if it doesn’t work, call a professional to diagnose and repair the problem. 

Strange sounds 

Ideally, your AC should only be felt and not heard. If your AC sounds like it is struggling to keep you cool, it is an obvious sign of a problem. A failing air conditioner can make different noises depending on the exact cause. Squealing or screeching sounds from the air conditioners could indicate that the belt is faulty. Rattling sounds could be due to an issue with the motor, fans, or compressor. Clicking sounds could be due to relay problems. A buzzing sound is often a result of faulty electrical components.  

Water leakage 

Water leaking outside from your air conditioner on a hot and humid day is normal. The water leakage may also occur when the temperature is low, and the unit freezes up and then leak water when it melts. Some other reasons include dirty air filters, low refrigerant levels, blocked drain pipes, and improper installation.  

Heat sensor problems 

The heat sensor is located near the evaporator coils. When the air is sucked through the return vents, it passes by the sensor and the evaporator coil. As the air passes the sensor, it reads the temperatures and compares them to thermostat settings. Basically, it tells the system when to cool and when to stop. A misaligned sensor or other problems with it can cause it to stop working. The air conditioner may start turning on and off at the wrong times. The problem can be diagnosed and rectified by only a professional. 

The air conditioner is not working at all. 

When the air conditioner shuts down without warning, it could be due to something as simple as dead thermostat batteries or wrong thermostat settings. It can also be caused by a bad connection, a faulty circuit board, or a compressor or condenser not receiving power properly.  

Need help diagnosing and repairing your AC’s problems? Get in touch with our team now.