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.