The Most Common Air Conditioner Issues & Solutions

Spring is coming up which means there will certainly be some random days with extremely high temperatures. Are you prepared for the warm weather ahead?

There are several issues that can occur with your air conditioner, but before calling on the professionals you may be able to handle the problem yourself.

Condenser Isn’t Working

The purpose of the condenser is that it acts as a heat exchanger. This means it cools and condenses refrigerant from a gas to a liquid. You’ll want to make sure there aren’t any blown fuses or tripped breakers. Additionally, the thermostat could be defective. Consider lowering the thermostat by five degrees to see if the unit turns on. If it doesn’t, the motor or compressor is probably the issue.

The Air is Not Cold

When you’ve consistently lowered the thermostat several degrees and the air conditioner still isn’t doing its job, a dirty evaporator coil could be the cause. However, if you’ve cleaned he coil and the issue still persists, your AC unit is most likely too small.

Poor Airflow

Poor airflow is almost always caused by a dirty air filter or clogged ducts. Check the AC unit’s air filter and replace if it’s dirty. You should actually be replacing the filter every 30 days but some are good for 90 days.

Sometimes all you need to do is open the vents. The fins inside the vent sometimes can get closed which means there is no airflow.

Strange Noises

If you keep hearing strange sounds or ticking from the unit, there could be a screw that is loose. If you do find a loose screw, shut the unit down and tighten the screws. Make sure to add lubricant to stop squeaking noises.

Dripping Water

Sometimes homeowners find a puddle of water under their unit due to a dirty air filter. The dirty air filter causes blockages or the tube can get disconnected. Clean the water if you do find a puddle and replace the air filter. Check the tubes for clogs and crimps to make sure it’s not disconnected.

When you have an outside tube, you’ll want to connect a wet-dry vacuum to suck out the water. When you have a blockage due to dust, the vacuum will suck it out. If the problem remains, you’ll need a new pump or tube replacement.

If you need your air conditioner repaired or replaced, contact Winters® Home Services. Our technicians have years of experience providing Massachusetts residents with swift and efficient air conditioner services.