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.