Troubleshooting Your Air Conditioner

AC Doesn’t Blow Cold Air

If your air conditioner turns on, but cold air isn’t blown out, first check if the vents are open and the thermostat was set correctly. If these issues check, then check the air filter. It might be clogged with debris or dust, and airflow will be stopped. The clog might even freeze the evaporator coils, and the frost and ice may clog the airflow even further. That problem can be quickly sorted by cleaning the filter with a soft brush, water, and mild soap. Avoid that in the future by cleaning and changing your filter frequently. The issue could also be the fan motor or the fan itself. If the fan turns easily, the problem could be a refrigerant line leak or the motor not getting electrical power. It might be best to call a qualified HVAC technician and inspect your unit.

Air Conditioner Not Cooling Enough

First, check your vents and ensure they are all open. When even one is closed, cooling your home becomes more difficult, since the room with the closed vent will have its warm air mixed with the cooled air from the rest of your home. This could also mean another problem, such as a refrigerant line leak. Perhaps yous air conditioning unit is getting old and wearing out. If your system was installed improperly, perhaps it is too large for your home. Systems too large are not efficient because they cycle on and off too fast. Systems too small work harder to cool your house and breakdown prematurely.

Air Conditioner Leaking Water Inside

If your AC is leaking water in your home, turn it off immediately to avoid costly water damage. This usually means your condensate drain line is clogged up, and then water backs up into your home. A quick fix is to try using a wet/dry vacuum and unclog the line. In the case that doesn’t work, then your condensate pump might have broken down, or your drain pan might be rusted. A trusted technician is able to replace or repair damaged parts accordingly.

Air Conditioner Leaking Water Outside

Hotter or more humid days may lead to a little puddle of water under your condenser unit. Under these circumstances, that is expected, as long as the unit is working when it forms. In cooler weather — under 60 degrees — an air conditioner could freeze. In that case, the unit leaks water when it melts, and that is also normal. If it leaks under different circumstances, clean or replaces your air filters, if the problem persists, schedule a service. You could need more refrigerant, have a drain pipe blockage, or even a broken condensate pan, says the air conditioning New York specialists.

Air Conditioner Leaking Water When Turned Off

If your AC has a dirty filter or is low on refrigerant, the system could freeze when it’s working. When you turn it off, the ice will melt, and it will leak water. Avoid water damage from your AC leaking water on the ceiling or floor. Clean your filter; if that doesn’t solve it, keep your AC system off until you have fixed the issue. It could be a broken condensate pan or a blockage.

Air Conditioner Won’t Turn Off

Your filter could be dirty if your air conditioning unit stays on longer than it should. Clean or replace it to see if that solves the issue. If your unit is improperly sized or older, it could also have difficulty shutting off due to working too hard or cycling too often. Other issues that could cause your AC to run constantly are:

  • A broken thermostat
  • A thermostat cable short-circuit
  • A stuck fan relay

When your central air conditioner doesn’t come on, it could be a matter of adjusting your thermostat. If that doesn’t solve your issue, then call a tech because your HVAC system probably needs repairs.

AC Window Unit Won’t Kick On

Similarly, you should first verify the temperature setting and ensure there is an electrical current flowing into the unit. Again, those troubleshooting efforts fail to locate the problem, get professional help for repairing your AC window unit.

AC Fan Not Working Inside

If your air conditioner indoor fan stops working, check first if the breakers are OK. Then, check your air filter. If it’s blocked, then you can fix it yourself. If evaporator coil or refrigerant lines have ice, allow the ice to melt. Check later if the fan is working again. If it isn’t, that might have caused a frozen. That requires a service visit because your tech could need to reach inside the fan relay and replace the contacts, or change the fan belt, or even the motor itself.

AC Fan Not Working Outside

Also, check your outdoor unit when your AC isn’t cooling properly. If the outdoor fan stopped spinning, check first the fuse box or circuit breaker. If a simple reset doesn’t fix the issue, there could be two different problems here.

Start capacitor: If your compressor still works, perhaps the start capacitor or the motor are not working. You could troubleshoot it by using a wooden stick to push the fan. Don’t use your hand, because if the fan starts, it could cause you harm. If it still doesn’t spin, then you have to call your trusted technician. Turn your AC off until he arrives. Otherwise, you risk your compressor being burnt — and that is a major repair.

Outdoor fan motor stuck: Rust or dirt could have caused your stuck fan. Should your unit require more extensive repair work, you could even need to replace the entire outdoor fan motor.

Once you finish repairing your air conditioning system, have your local AC professional inspect it again every year for a maintenance checkup. Regular servicing allows your system to work more efficiently, last longer, and save your hard-earned cash on your electricity bills every month. Choose the Sears Home Services air conditioning experts. We are here for your home.

Common Air Conditioner Problem And How To Fix Them

If your air conditioner goes out on a hot summer day in New York City, life can become quite miserable. To avoid repeating such experiences in life, and leave your comfort level to chance, take a look at some common air conditioning problems and learn how you can fix them.

Common Air conditioner Problems: Causes

1. Refrigerant Leaks:

The refrigerant in the air conditioner works to remove heat and humidity from the air indoors. When leaks are developed in the refrigerant lines, the air conditioner is unable to cool the air effectively. Unfortunately, this issue cannot be solved by replacing the refrigerant. A trained AC technician will be required to examine the leaks and repair the holes in the lines. This process can sometimes be time-consuming and can affect the cost of repair, especially if there are multiple leaks. A right solution for this problem is to get the refrigerant leaks examined yearly by a trained AC technician.

2. Frozen Evaporator coils:

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is filled with refrigerant and absorbs heat from the air and returns it into the house or office as cold air with the help of air ducts. To keep the coils working to its optimum, it is important that warm air circulates around them. When the airflow is disrupted, the coil gets cold and has a layer of ice formed on the outside. As a result, there is only warm air or no air coming out of your air conditioning system.

3. Unclean condenser coils:

Located in the outdoor unit, condenser coils helps remove heat from the air and expels it outdoors. However, since the coils are located outside, it often becomes dirty due to the accumulation of dust and grime on it. As a result, heat transfer is impeded. When your air conditioning unit has to work hard to maintain the flow of fresh air, it can damage the parts of the unit and even lead to system failure. Condenser coils can be kept clean using a water hose once a year. However, if it gets too dirty, an HVAC technician will help to clean it with a chemical cleaner.

4. Fan not working:

There are basically two fans in an air conditioning unit. While one blows indoor air over the evaporator coil to cool it, the other one blows air over the condenser outdoors to get rid of heat outside the building. However, if either of the fans fails to work correctly due to factors like lack of lubrication, faulty motors, worn-out belts or accumulation of dirt and debris, it may lead to poor airflow and problems in your air conditioning unit. Neglecting fan problems can lead to compressor failure, leaving you with no other option but buy a new air conditioner.

5.Thermostat Problems:

Thermostats help control the temperature settings in your home and are required o be set correctly to function properly. Problems in old dial-type thermostats arise when they are not calibrated correctly and are unable to give your air conditioner the proper instructions from the control system. The problem can be fixed by recalibrating or replacing your thermostat. However, if you have a problem with the new programmable thermostat, it may be because they have been set incorrectly. Check the instructions in the manual to ensure that your thermostat’s settings are correct.

6. Leaking Ducts:

The ductworks are carrying cooled air from the air conditioner through walls and ceilings throughout your home. However, when breaks or holes are formed in the ducts due to rodents or careless workers, the cooling air gets winds within your wall. When this happens, your air conditioner has to work harder, increasing your electric bills.

7. Clogged Drains:

The air conditioner removes moisture from the air through a drain line into a pan and finally through a drain. However, if the dust gets clogged with dust, dirt, and lint or if the pan if filled full, it can cause the water to leak out potentially causing damage to your air conditioning unit. This problem can cause water leaks, damaging the walls, furnishings, and ceiling of your home. If the problem is further neglecting, you may eventually lead to mold growth.

AC Blowing Hot Air? Troubleshoot With These Tips

There are several air conditioning problems that can easily be solved by the homeowner before calling for air conditioning service. An AC blowing hot air is a common complaint that may be caused by a number of issues. Before calling in an HVAC professional, troubleshoot your system with the help of these tips:

Check The Thermostat

It’s common to accidentally turn the thermostat setting to “heat” instead of “cooling.” Make sure your thermostat is set to “cooling” and turn it down 5 degrees. Wait a few minutes to see if changing the setting or lowering the thermostat did the trick.

Check The Outdoor Unit

Make sure the outdoor condensing unit is turned on. If so, check for debris, such as grass clippings, dirt and nearby plant growth, which can become trapped in the fins of your outdoor condensing unit and prevent proper airflow to your system. Hose down the unit to remove the debris.

Check The Air Filter

The air filter in your air conditioner prevents dust from building up inside your system. While the filter is probably not completely responsible for your AC blowing hot air, it can play a major part. When the filter becomes clogged, air doesn’t flow optimally to or from your unit. Turn off the power to your air conditioner and change the filter if it’s dirty.

Check for Ice

Ice buildup on either the indoor or outdoor unit may signal a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the chemical responsible for cooling the air in your system. Leaks must be addressed by a qualified HVAC professional due to the dangers of refrigerant to humans and to the environment.

If your air conditioner continues to blow hot air, contact an HVAC technician to inspect and repair your system. As always, planned annual preventive maintenance on your air conditioner can prevent a number of common problems with your system, including your AC blowing hot air, throughout the cooling season. It also increases system efficiency to save you money and extends the operating life of your unit.

Two essential monthly tasks that homeowners can perform to prevent problems like the AC blowing hot air are changing the air conditioner filter when it’s dirty and hosing down the outdoor unit to remove debris trapped in the fins.

Don’t Panic When You Think You Need Heater Repair

We normally recommend that homeowners have their heating system serviced before the start of the heating season. However, if you have skipped this service, there is a greater chance you may need to call for a repair at some point. With cold weather soon heading to the New York City area, many homeowners will find that they need heater repair for various furnace issues. Don’t panic if you find yourself among these homeowners, many heater problems are easily resolved.

If you smell gas, you need to leave your house right away and call the local fire department or gas service provider from a safe location. For heaters that are making strange noises or tripping your circuit box, you should call for heater repair service right away. However, for some other problems such as reduced performance or failure to turn on, it is useful to check a few things out before calling for repair.

Reduced Performance

Many heater problems are caused by dirty or clogged air filters. A dirty filter reduces airflow to your heater and causes it to work harder to keep your home warm. Check your air filter, and replace if dirty. If this resolves your heating problem, then a heater repair may not be needed. If this does not resolve the problem, you may need to have the system’s burners adjusted by a service technician.

Your Heater Will Not Turn On

For a heater that is not turning on or blowing cold air, your first step should be to look at your thermostat. Many times, the thermostat could be set too low or be malfunctioning and preventing your furnace from starting up. If the thermostat is not the culprit, then you should call for heater repair. Your heater may need a repair or replacement of its pilot or ignition control system, which is a common repair.

Wear and Tear Repairs

Just like an automobile, your heater has moving parts such as blower fans and motors that experience wear and tear over time. If your system is regularly maintained, these parts are normally cleaned and lubricated. Without preventive maintenance, these parts will be more likely to produce more friction than normal, and cause them to fail sooner than if the system were regularly maintained.

What may originally start as a small inexpensive heater repair if fixed right away, can quickly grow into a more expensive one if ignored. If you know your system is in need of repair, do not put it off any further. Doing so may cause a dangerous situation that puts both your family and home at risk. Don’t panic, contact us for fast and reliable heater repair.