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Common Air Conditioning Problems And How To Fix Them

It's a hot Summer's day and you've just finished doing some hard work in the garden.

All you can think of is relaxing in the cool breeze of your air conditioner while you catch your breath and cool down.

But... It's not working!

There's nothing more disappointing than a broken air conditioner when you need it most.

Air Conditioning Problems

It's pretty simple to fix a leaking pipe, or to change a lightbulb - but when it comes to repairing an air conditioner it can seem rather challenging.

You'll be relieved to know that we have some quick and easy tips for fixing common air conditioning problems.

Give them a try before calling the HVAC technician, and you might save yourself some cash!

Jump to:

The Air Conditioner Doesn't Turn On

First, inspect the thermostat batteries if the AC isn't switching on. They might be dead and need replacing.

If the batteries are working properly, check the thermostat's temperature settings to see if it's in cooling mode.

If the thermostat is on and the AC still doesn't work, take a look at your circuit breaker - there may have been a power trip.

If this is the case you'll need to switch the circuit breaker on and off.

Your Air Conditioning Unit Has Ice Build-Up

To check if this common problem is the case, turn off the AC and lift the cover to see if there is any ice build-up on or behind the filter.

A frozen air conditioner can be caused by:

  • Inadequate airflow
  • Low air temperatures
  • Insufficient coolant levels
  • Blower motor issues
  • A stuck contractor

The fix: Switch off the unit, and allow it to defrost. Once the ice has melted, you shouldn't have a problem.

The Air Conditioner Leaks Water Outside

Water leaking from your outside air conditioning unit on a hot or humid day is normal and not a cause for concern. It's usually just condensation.

If you suspect something else is causing the leak, such as a blocked drainpipe it's best to call the appliance repair expert in Calgary.

Your Air Conditioner Isn't Blowing Cold Air

Air conditioners' efficiency depends highly on proper air circulation. Therefore, if the airflow is blocked in any way, it will lead to reduced performance.

Ways to fix reduced airflow:

  • Replace dirty air filters (you should be doing this monthly if you use air conditioning daily).
  • Clean the ducts regularly to prevent them from getting blocked.
  • Check your ducts for leaks. If you find one- you'll need to hire some help.

The Air Conditioner Is Making Funny Noises

Are there strange noises coming from your air conditioning system? It could be a sign that something is wrong.

Dirty filters can make it difficult for the AC to circulate the air.

Or, it might be a case of poor installation. If the grille is not fitted properly, it can cause the air to bypass it and make a funny whistling noise when you use the fan.

You can stop these types of noises by keeping the filters clean and properly centred on the grille.

Warning: Loud banging or grinding noises are not a good sign, and you should switch the AC unit off immediately.

They could be caused by fan motor failure, and you'll need a technician's assistance.

The Air Conditioner's Evaporator Coil Is Frozen

Frozen air conditioning coils can make air conditioners freeze up and stop working.

The evaporator coil can freeze if your AC doesn't receive sufficient air needed for operation.

Clogged air filters and ducts, or a faulty fan can cause inadequate airflow in the system.

The fix: Clean your filters and ducts. Switch off your unit and allow the coil to defrost.

There's A Refrigerant Leak

If you feel like your air conditioner isn't performing accurately - for example, uneven cooling without you changing the temperature setting - it's likely a refrigerant leak.

When the coolant in your AC unit begins leaking, cooling will become inconsistent.

Refrigerant leaks can cause:

  • Low effectiveness
  • High energy consumption
  • Frozen evaporator coil
  • Damaged compressor
  • Inaccurate cooling

To note: It might be tempting to just put more coolant into the AC unit to make it through a hot day but this is only a bandaid. And if you don't get a technician to fix it, you might cause more damage.

You Have A Drainage Problem

Does it smell funny when you switch on the AC?

If water isn't draining properly it can cause a host of problems, like mould, fungus, or algae, which is bad for your family's health - let alone the unpleasant odours.

To prevent this kind of problem, make sure the drain pipeline is maintained with regular cleaning and inspections.

Another cause of draining problems is when the AC unit is not mounted at the correct level.

There Is A Sensor Problem

Every air conditioner contains a thermostat sensor that measures the air temperature in the evaporating coil.

It adjusts the cooling of the room accordingly to maintain the correct temperature.

A sensor in the wrong position (maybe it was forced out), can cause the AC to randomly turn on and off, or keep on cycling.

The fix: Check that the sensor is placed near the evaporator coil, without touching each other. Bend the wire holding the sensor in its position until it's in the right place.

Final Words

Air conditioning units are made to last for several years of extended use, but malfunctions are normal and expected due to weather or wear and tear.

So, how will you know when to call a professional?

If you've tried all of our tips and tricks mentioned in this article and you, unfortunately, haven't had any luck in solving the problem yourself - you'll want to get an expert to help.

But isn't there an easy fix instead?

We know air conditioners aren't cheap (and neither are repair bills).

But calling a professional to do the job properly will help you to avoid the whole unit going bad because you waited too long to call the technician.

We hope you found our guide helpful to repair your beloved air conditioner!

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