6 Common AC Problems and How to Fix Them

Air conditioning is a necessity during the warmer months of the year. When the AC goes out, life can become unbearable. Repairing the AC can be costly, so you should make sure that yours is in great shape by performing regular checks.

Here are some AC problems and common AC repairs that are an everyday occurrence, so that you can enjoy a comfortable living space again.

Weak Airflow

If there are pressure imbalances throughout your home and some areas are cooler than others, there might be an airflow problem. In this case, the fan is incapable of pushing enough air for a variety of reasons such as a defective blower motor. Vent blockage, low levels of refrigerant, and leaking ducts can also result in weak airflow.

Figure out what’s causing the weak airflow and fix it. If the problem is vent blockage, check what is blocking it. A piece of furniture could be in the way. If it’s a faulty thermostat, try to recalibrate it and see if the problem is solved.

Damaged Compressor

To carry out heat exchange, the compressor gives energy to the refrigerant and drives it through the coils. If the compressor is not working, the AC will not keep your house cool. It needs to have ample refrigerant to work otherwise it will run hot and stop working. Too much refrigerant, on the other hand, returns to the compressor thus causing it to fail.

If your unit is not cooling as it should be, contact your local HVAC experts to have a look. In case of too much damage, replacing the compressor is necessary for optimal AC performance.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

If your AC is short cycling, the thermostat could be malfunctioning. This might be a simple case of dead batteries or something more serious like corrosion buildup. To fix this problem, check if the batteries are dead. If there is excessive damage to the thermostat, you might need to replace it.

Dirty Filter

One of the reasons ACs don’t work well is a blocked, dirty filter. Look at the manufacturer’s instructions to figure out how often you should change the AC filters. Some recommend that you do it monthly and others every three months. However, some filters only need to be cleaned when dirty.

Pet owners need to be careful because they might need to change filters more often. If the light doesn’t pass through the filter, it needs cleaning. A dirty filter reduces airflow and can cause the AC to freeze.

Faulty Capacitors

The motors that drive the compressor and fans won’t operate without capacitors. The start capacitor transmits a single shock to start the motor, while the run capacitor sends a succession of jolts to keep it running. An air conditioning unit doesn’t run efficiently if these capacitors burn out. To fix a capacitor problem, you need professional assistance because fixing it yourself can cause electric shock.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

If your AC unit is not cooling the house properly, it could be because of a frozen evaporator coil. This occurs when the AC doesn’t get plenty of air to operate due to a buildup of debris. The dirt on coils limits airflow and keeps warm air from reaching the refrigerant. This results in a cold refrigerant that freezes moisture on the evaporator coils.

To solve this problem, let the coils thaw by switching off the unit and then clean off the dirt that’s restricting airflow.

Conclusion

These are some of the common issues that homeowners deal with during peak AC usage time. With this newfound information about your AC problems, you can assess the problems that your unit faces in a safe manner. Regular checkups and maintenance lead to early problem detection thus increasing your unit’s efficiency and preventing premature failure.