6 Air Conditioner Problems Homeowners Encounter

According to some studies, over 87% of homes have air conditioning in their home.

If you’re one of those people who has an HVAC system, you’ve probably run into some air conditioner problems at some point.

Thankfully, we’re here to help you pinpoint the problem, so keep reading to discover common AC problems.

1. Clogged Filters

One of the most common reasons a filter will get clogged is when it’s too dirty. When the filter gets clogged, it’ll restrict the amount of air that can flow through the air conditioning.

This will prevent your AC from cooling the air, but it can also damage the coils. If the coils get damaged, they can’t absorb heat which can cause your entire system to crash.

To avoid these problems, clean your filter out monthly.

2. Water Leaking

One of the most common AC repairs an HVAC contractor can fix is if water is leaving from the indoor unit. The main reason that water will leak out is that your condensate drain is clogged.

Algae or fungi can clog it, which means that the water will back up and leak into your home. To fix this, you’ll have to use a dry or wet vacuum to unclog the condensate pipe.

You may also want to pour six ounces of vinegar into it to kill any of the buildups.

3. Hot Air

Is your AC system just blowing hot air out? First, you should check the coils in the outside unit to make sure they’re not dirty. If they’re dirty, it could be locking an air vent.

It could also be an issue with your compressor. A compressor will fail due to electrical problems, blocked lines, and not enough lubricant.

4. Thermostat Issues

If you’re struggling to get your thermostat to work, check to see if the batteries are dead.

If that doesn’t work, make sure that there is power running to your thermostat. This is most common for smart models.

Check that it’s also switched to cooling mode. You may also have to set your desired temperature below what the current room temperature is for it to come on.

5. Leaking Air

If the HVAC system is leaking air instead of water, the seal might be broken.

This is more common in window units, but you can fix this with some weatherstripping.

6. Tripped Circuit Breaker

Your home air conditioning might not be running if there’s no power going to it. Sometimes the power goes out if a circuit breaker is tripped.

The AC could keep tripping the breaker if there is a dirty air filter, the AC doesn’t have enough refrigerant, the condenser fan is broken, or the compressor is using too much power.