TROUBLESHOOTING AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS

TROUBLESHOOTING AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS

Need assistance with troubleshooting your A/C  unit? Due to their complexity, air conditioning units should be professionally inspected and adjusted before the beginning of every cooling season. However, don't let your maintenance end with this annual checkup. While there aren't many repairs you can do yourself, there are specific maintenance procedures you can follow to keep your system operating at its peak efficiency.

Here are some common problems that can occur with your unit, along with their possible causes and recommended quick solutions;

Problem: Unit won’t run

Causes: Blown fuse or circuit breaker, improperly set or faulty thermostat

Solution: Check for a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker, and then restore the power to see if it starts. Another potential cause could be that the thermostat isn’t set correctly. Try lowering it by 5 degrees to see if that gets it to work. If not, then the problem is likely a faulty motor or compressor, which will require professional help.

Problem: Inadequate cooling

Causes: Dirty evaporator

Solution: Start by lowering the thermostat by 5 degrees. If that does not fix the problem, then the evaporator needs to be carefully cleaned by a professional. If the problem persists, it’s likely that you have an improperly sized air conditioner. A Mr. Furnace technician can help you to determine the best unit based on various factors such as your home's square footage, architectural features, and age.

Problem: Unit runs but doesn’t cool

Causes: Blocked or dirty condenser, faulty compressor or inadequate refrigerant

Solution: First, check the thermostat. Next, check the condenser to see if it is dirty or blocked by tall weeds, grass or other debris. If so, remove the blockage or get a professional to clean it. Another possible cause could be due to a faulty compressor or an inadequate amount of refrigerant in the system. Again, these are problems that a professional needs to address.

Problem: Unit keeps turning on and off

Causes: Dirty or blocked condenser unit, and/or dirty evaporator

Solution: Usually, removing any obstructions and/or having a professional give the entire unit a good cleaning will eliminate the problem.

Problem: Squealing and/or grinding noises

Causes: improperly aligned or worn out belt

Solution: Some older units are belt driven so noises could be due to an improperly aligned or worn out belt. If this is the case, you may want to upgrade to a more modern unit with a direct-drive motor. A Mr. Furnace technician can help you to decide how best to proceed.

Problem: Unit is leaking or dripping water

Causes: Blocked water flow or broken condensate pump

Solution: Make sure the condensate pump is connected to a working electrical outlet. Then, check if one of the tubes is leaking. If it is then the tubing needs to be replaced. Otherwise you may end up with overflowing water. We recommend that you call a Mr. Furnace professional to avoid any further complications.

Problem: Uneven cooling

Causes: blocked vents, leaking ducts or inadequate insulation

Solution: In order to get to the root of the problem, call a Mr. Furnace professional. We will check your vents for any blockages, mend any leaking ducts or recommend that you get better insulation installed in certain areas of your home. Otherwise, the best solution could be that you replace your existing A/C  unit. Either way, we can advise you on the best possible solution for your situation.

Other than for routine cleaning, always contact a professional service person for any maintenance on your A/C  unit for safety reasons. A Mr. Furnace technician can service both central air units as well as window units. Our full-service includes cleaning the evaporator and maintaining the condenser. We inspect all of the different components to ensure that everything is working at its best. Book an A/C  repair appointment today and let us assist you in beating the heat this summer.