Air conditioner units can fail, or fail to work properly, at almost any time and for a number of reasons. And the start of warmer weather is when most problems are discovered. Knowing those reasons can save you from the inconvenience and, sometimes, can save you money.
Let’s go over a few of these common reasons, and what you, the homeowner, can do to resolve them and even help prevent future problems.
Breaker issues
A common and easily rectified problem is that the electricity supply to the air conditioner unit has failed. If you haven’t used your system for some time, it’s possible that the breaker switch has been ‘thrown’. So, the first thing to do is to look at your breaker box. If the switch which governs the AC unit looks out of place, simply move it all the way back, then push it forward so it’s in line with the other switches in that row. That should solve the problem, and hopefully you’ll hear your AC burst to life.
Clogged filter
Another common reason for your AC not working properly is the filter. A clogged filter will make the unit work harder, and you may notice two things. The first is that there doesn’t seem to be the right amount of cool air coming through for the thermostat setting, and the other is that it’s making too much noise – because the motor has to work harder. You can fix this problem easily, as well. Look at the filter to see if it has too much dust on it. If it is a washable filter, clean it, dry it and put it back. If it isn’t washable, then buy a new one to replace it.
Faulty thermostat
Has someone reset your thermostat to a higher setting? If so, change the setting, and all should be OK. If the setting is correct, and the AC either is not kicking on or doesn’t shut off, then you probably have a faulty thermostat. If you are suitably qualified, you may choose to test it yourself. If you are not, then for safety’s sake, call in a professional like Pronto for assistance. A qualified and insured AC company technician will find the cause of the problem (it may just be the sensor has been knocked off position) and advise you on the best course of action. It may be that the thermostat, itself, needs to be replaced. Your technician will explain the different sorts and help you decide on the best replacement.
Still no cool air coming through?
There are several reasons for this, and they all require professional assistance:
- The refrigerant may have leaked away during the winter, and has to be replaced. Your technician will seal the leak and replace the lost refrigerant.
- The fan in the outside condenser unit may have stopped working. It may need to be replaced, or there may just be some corrosion to the electrical connectors. Either way, either the system will be circulating warm air or the safety overload may have tripped to prevent the compressor from overheating. Again, your technician will be able to locate the problem and make the repair.
- If your AC is older, it’s possible that the AC ducts are blocked from years of poor filtering. If this is the case, then you will need clean the ducts.
There are a number of other reasons for why your air conditioner may not beworking properly. Some are easily rectified, and some need an AC specialist to come out to your property, find the cause, and fix it. One way to minimize the likelihood of it happening is to schedule an AC tune-up before things really heat up. Preventative maintenance is usually the best way to keep your unit working properly, and to keep your overall costs down.
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