Here in the Tri-Cities, our summers are scorching hot! The last thing you want to happen is to have your air conditioning system fail during these peak summer months, but sometimes it happens! Today, we will explain the most common reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your home effectively, practical solutions homeowners can do for DIY air conditioner repair, and advice on when to call for an HVAC service appointment.
7 Common Reasons and How to Fix Them:
#1: Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
Dirty or clogged air filters are one of the most common problems we see that impacts air conditioner performance. An air filter is responsible for cleaning the air circulating through your system, protecting it from dust, hair, and other airborne debris. Overtime, the filter will get dirty.
It is similar to a sink drain strainer that builds up with food debris as you wash your dishes. You certainly wouldn’t leave old food sitting in there forever, as it would prevent your sink from draining properly. Just the same, if an air filter goes unchanged for too long, the debris clogging the filter will, in turn, restrict airflow and reduce cooling efficiency.
Solution:
Fortunately, the solution here is quite easy. All you have to do is replace the air filter regularly. We recommend checking your air conditioner user manual for its recommendation on how often you should replace your filter and then adjusting according to the needs of your household. For example, if you have fluffy pets, you may need to replace them more often.
#2: Thermostat Issues
Your thermostat is essentially the brain behind the complex system that is your air conditioner. Just like any electronic system, thermostats can experience issues. Here are a few examples of what can go wrong with your thermostat:
- The batteries can die, causing the air conditioner not to function at all.
- The settings can be programmed incorrectly, forcing malfunctions, preventing the AC from cooling properly.
- The thermostat’s internal wiring or trigger can disconnect, causing your air conditioner to fail to turn on or to run on a continuous loop.
- The display screen (for smart systems) can fail, causing you to lose access to control options.
Solution:
Depending on the root of the problem, you as a homeowner may be able to fix it yourself. We recommend replacing your thermostat batteries and rebooting the system before anything else. Most commonly, this fixes the problem.
If that doesn’t work, we suggest consulting the user manual and adjusting the settings to be within the recommended range. If your current settings are too extreme, resetting them to the original baseline might get your system working again.
If none of that works, it is time to call a professional HVAC service team for air conditioner repair. The problem is likely an internal issue with the thermostat or something wrong with the air conditioner’s electrical system. In both cases, air conditioning repair or part replacement may be necessary.
#3: Low Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant levels are also another reason your air conditioning system may not be cooling your home correctly. Refrigerant is a working fluid used for cooling the home. When there are low refrigerant levels, there is not enough of the product to effectively absorb heat from the indoor air.
The most common reason why you may have low refrigerant levels is because you have a leak, not enough was put in during your initial installation, or not enough was put in during your last maintenance.
Solution:
The solution for this problem is to call for an HVAC service appointment. Here, the technician will inspect the unit. If there is a leak, the technician will take the appropriate course of action to fix it. If it was simply under-supplied, the technician will recharge the unit with the appropriate amount of refrigerant.
#4: Blocked or Dirty Condenser Coils
Another common issue we see is when the condenser coils become blocked or dirty. Since the condenser coils are located outside the compressor, they can become dirty simply by being exposed to the elements. When these outdoor units accumulate dirt and debris, it reduces their cooling capacity (much like the problem we discussed earlier with dirty filters). Alternatively, sometimes debris can block the unit. We have seen a variety of things get blown in on the wind and then stuck on the unit, everything from plastic bags to sheets of cardboard to tree branches.
Solution:
Fortunately, this problem can be easily prevented. If the unit is blocked, homeowners can simply remove the debris. Just be cautious with the removal process to ensure it doesn’t damage your system. If it looks like removal may cause damage, call for a professional.
If the unit is dirty, homeowners can give their condenser coils a bath once a year, simply using a water hose to spray it down. However, if the condenser coils are supremely dirty and the water pressure from the hose just isn’t making a difference, you will want to call for an HVAC service. Your technician will use air conditioning repair cleaning fluid to get the units clean and performing well.
#5: Frozen Evaporator Coils
Frozen evaporator coils are another common problem we see, often as a secondary result of another problem that went untreated. Your evaporator coil is the indoor coil that works with your furnace or inside your air handler.
There are a variety of reasons why an evaporator coil can freeze, most of which we discussed in the past few points:
- A dirty air filter
- A dirty evaporator coil
- Blocked return vents
- A faulty thermostat
- Low refrigerant levels
Solution:
When this happens, homeowners will want to check that the airflow to your air conditioner unit isn’t blocked, clean the filters, and allow the coil to defrost before restarting the unit. DO NOT RUN THE UNIT WHILE THE COILS ARE FROZEN! If you attempt to run the unit while the coils are frozen, it can cause severe damage. Therefore, you need to either wait for them to thaw. If you cannot wait, you have two options:
First, you can use a hair dryer to gently thaw the coils. Set the blow dryer on a low to medium setting and hold it at least six inches away from the coil.
Alternatively, you can call for air conditioner repair. By doing this, the technician will be able to thaw the coil while also diagnosing the origin of the problem and take the appropriate repair steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
#6: Leaky or Disconnected Ductwork
Leaky, loose, or disconnected ductwork can cause air to leak into open space, allowing cooled air to escape before reaching its destined rooms. This problem is often caused by poor installation techniques, general wear-and-tear over time, or physical damage caused by pests.
Solution:
The only way to solve this problem is with air conditioner repair. Your technician will start by inspecting your ducts to determine the source of the problem. If it is due to poor installation or physical damage, they may be able to repair the issue and seal the duct leaks. However, if it is due to aging, you may need to do a duct replacement to ensure a high-functioning system.
#7: Aging or Undersized Unit
Lastly, everyone will face an aging system at some point. While modern air conditioners can last up to 20 years, eventually, they will age out, and no amount of repairs will be able to keep them functioning properly. Additionally, if you add a home renovation that increases the space inside your home that needs to be cooled, your old system may be too small for the job. In both cases, the unit will struggle to cool efficiently and eventually fail.
Solution:
Rather than waiting for your unit to fail, as it will likely happen at an inconvenient time, we suggest upgrading to a new, properly sized, energy-efficient system. To learn more about your options and pricing, we recommend calling for an HVAC service appointment to estimate when your old system needs to be removed and what your options are moving forward.
Why Choose Apollo Heating & Air?
As you read, there are times when a homeowner can DIY their air conditioner repair, and times when DIY troubleshooting may not be enough, and it is wiser to call for HVAC service. We at Apollo Heating & Air offer expert repair and maintenance services if you are located in the Tri-Cities or surrounding areas.
Whether you need regularly scheduled maintenance, emergency air conditioning repair, or a complete replacement, our experienced HVAC professionals specialize in AC diagnostics and repairs and provide fast, reliable service. Additionally, we offer affordable maintenance plans to keep AC systems running smoothly all year long so you never have to worry about DIYing a problem solo again!
Is your AC not cooling your home? Contact Apollo Heating & Air today for expert diagnostics and repairs to restore comfort to your home!