The Most Common Air Conditioner Issues and Solutions

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Air conditioners are probably one of the best inventions when it comes to staying cool on hot days. When they break down, it can be a very unpleasant experience. Here is a list of some common issues that you may face with your air conditioner, and how to fix them if there is a problem.

Low Refrigerant

In order to remove the heat from the air that is going through the air conditioner, the system needs refrigerant. If you don't have enough refrigerant in the system, then the machine can't adequately cool the air that is traveling through it.

There are two reasons why you might have low refrigerant. The first reason is that the air conditioner was undercharged during installation. The second is because your air conditioner may have leaks.

If you have low refrigerant, you can't just refill it. You are going to need to find a professional technician to find the leak and then make repairs. They will then have to test the system to make sure all the holes are fixed and then charge the system with the right amount of refrigerant needed for your air conditioning system.

For your air conditioner to work at its greatest efficiency, it needs to be charged to the correct specifications required by the manufacturer. This issue is not a fix that you can perform on your own.

Evaporator Coils

Another reason why your air conditioner may not work is that the evaporator coils are frozen. While you need the refrigerant to make the air cool, the evaporator coils need to have warm air around them to work correctly. When the air around the coil drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the humidity and condensation freeze the coils. If your evaporator coil is frozen, be sure to shut the machine off immediately.

The first thing you want to do is check to see if your air filter is clean. If it is dirty, try changing it. Once you change the filter, you must turn off the air conditioner with the thermostat, while leaving the fan running in the 'on' position. The fan will help you thaw the ice off the coils, and you should be able to continue using the air conditioner once the ice is melted.

Another solution that you can try is to see if the intake is dirty or clogged. Make sure you use cleaners that are right for the air conditioner and don't use a wire brush. Also, check for blocked cold air return grilles. If it is blocked by something, it could restrict airflow to your air conditioning system. You also want to make sure that the blower motor is operating correctly and that the outdoor unit is effectively communicating with the indoor unit.

If you have tried all these things and still have a problem, it is time to call a professional to fix your air conditioner.

Dirty System

If you don't keep your air conditioning system clean, there is a good chance it will end up shutting down. Without adequate maintenance, coils can become dirty, and parts of the system will shut down.

One example of this is the condenser coils. The condenser coils are a part of the outdoor unit and expel the heat in the air to the outside of your building. If the coils get dirty, they can't transfer heat well. When your air conditioning system can't transfer heat well, it has to work harder and can increase the wear on different parts of the system, leading to a system failure.

Most of the time, a condenser coil gets dirty from the natural environment outdoors. Elements like dirt, soot, and debris pile up. How do you clean your coils? The best way is to book an air-conditioner tune-up once a year, as the coils are in a hard to reach location.

Broken Fan

There are two fans in your air conditioning system; one that blows air into the system so that it cools down, and another one that blows air outside the building to expel the absorbed heat. There are several reasons why these fans may not work. One reason could be that a part is not working. The fan has a motor and belts that may stop working or be worn down. If this is the case, you can try to replace the motor or the belts. If you aren't sure how to do this, it may be better to call a professional.

You can also check to see if there is enough lubrication for the fan. If you have an older air conditioner, you may need to oil the fan to keep it in proper working condition. Having regular maintenance can make sure that you don't run into any issues with your fan. If you don't fix the problem, your air conditioner may fail, leaving you hot and in need of a replacement.

Thermostat Issues

Sometimes, it is not the air conditioner that isn't working. There are times when the thermostat is not set correctly and is not communicating with the air conditioner. Be sure to check and see what temperature your thermostat is set at. If it is set at the right temperature, you may need to recalibrate your thermostat or replace it.

If you aren't sure if your thermostat is set correctly, you can check the manual and make sure it is set correctly.

These are just a few of the most common issues that you can encounter with your air conditioner. If you need to replace a part, Automatic Appliance Parts is a great option where you can find parts for your air conditioner.