Troubleshooting Air Conditioner Problems

Every homeowner is likely to experience problems with their home’s air conditioner from time to time. When the blower stops working or you’re only getting warm air from the vents during those sweltering summer months. It’s always a relief to know you have a dedicated team of AC repair professionals in the Phoenix valley area on your side, but sometimes your air conditioner might need a simple touch you can do yourself. While it’s never recommended to undergo major AC repair on your own, there are a few common AC problems that any homeowner may be able to repair with a little time and the simplest of tools. Troubleshooting AC issues is a worthwhile task that could save you both time and money in the long run.

When Your AC Won’t Turn On

There’s nothing quite like wanting to unwind in your cool, comfortable house after a long day only to find that your air conditioner won’t turn on. As unfortunate as it is, this is a rather common problem and may be caused by a number of different factors. In order to troubleshoot the issue and find out why your unit might not be turning on:

• Make sure it’s turned on at the electrical panel
• Turn it on and off at the circuit breaker
• Ensure your thermostat is set to “cool”
• Check the condensation drain pan for overflowing
• Make sure the outdoor safety switch is set to “on”
• Double-check that the blower door is securely closed

Any of these steps could restore function to your unit in a pinch. However, if these troubleshooting efforts don’t produce the desired results, reach out to a team of HVAC repair professionals in Arizona as soon as possible to restore function to your air conditioner.

When Your Air Conditioner is Only Producing Warm Air

A lack of cool air coming from your vents is yet another common issue you may find yourself facing in your home. Restricted airflow is most often the root cause of these sorts of problems, and you’ll need to find the obstruction in order to restore proper function to your unit. Fortunately, some of them may be able to be identified and fixed without professional assistance. 

When you’re experiencing warm air coming from your vents:

• Check the thermostat to make sure it’s powered on and functioning properly
• Check the condenser for debris and blockages, then clean it if necessary
• Change your air filter if it’s dirty
• Ensure your coils are ice-free, turn on the fan to melt the ice if any is present
• Clean the outdoor unit

If none of these steps solve your problem, your system may have an inadequate amount of refrigerant in circulation. Because freon is a potentially dangerous chemical that could cause serious illness if handled incorrectly, you will need to make an appointment with a trained HVAC repair professional if you require additional refrigerant.

When Your Air Flow is Weak

If your air conditioner turns on and is producing cool air but the airflow itself can barely be felt through the vents, you may be encountering blockages or other issues that are making it difficult for your unit to draw in and blow out air. If you notice this issue throughout your home, troubleshoot by performing the following tasks:

• Replace your air filter if it’s dirty
• Check to ensure your vent dampers are open throughout the house
• Ensure your intake vents aren’t completely or even partially blocked
• Inspect ductwork to ensure there are no disconnections or damage

While the first three troubleshooting steps are quite easy, the last may require a bit of professional help. Accessing ductwork may take you into the attic or other tight spaces throughout your home, and if you don’t know exactly how to track leaks or other sorts of damage, the search may be fruitless. If you have any concerns about checking out your ductwork on your own or you’ve already discovered a disconnect or serious damage, contact the professionals for the ductwork you need to restore airflow as soon as possible.

When Your Energy Bill Is Suddenly Rising

Seasonal changes cause the cost of operating an air conditioner to rise, especially when winter turns to spring and summer. However, if you notice your energy bills going up without any significant change in the weather outdoors, it’s likely you’re dealing with an issue regarding your air conditioner. Typically, a rise in operating costs is the result of strain being put on the system, causing it to work harder to achieve the expected results. If you’ve noticed your energy bills rising for seemingly no reason, check out a few specific parts of your AC system:

• Change your air filter
• Ensure no intake filters or vents are blocked by furniture
• Check for frozen coils

A dirty air filter is the number one culprit of a mysteriously increasing electricity bill. In fact, a system running with a clogged air filter can use up to 15 percent more energy than the same system running with a clean filter. However, if that doesn’t work and you’re spying frozen coils, it may be that your system is low on refrigerant. The average HVAC system can require a whopping 10 pounds of coolant to operate correctly, and a serious drop in the fluid levels can cause your system to struggle. If changing your air filters doesn’t work, and you suspect this to be the issue, contact a professional repair team in Arizona to confirm and fix the problem quickly.

When Water Is Leaking Inside of Your Home

It’s never a pleasant surprise to find that your air conditioner is leaking water inside of your home, but when you’re experiencing issues with your condensation drainage pipe, that’s likely the result you’ll encounter. Your system creates moisture via condensation as it creates cool air and moves it throughout your house. The system is designed to drain this moisture onto the ground outside via the drain line into a pan, where it’s then funneled into a drain pipe that leads outdoors to return the moisture harmlessly to the ground outside. However, sometimes the system is interrupted, leading to an overflow of moisture in the pan, resulting in potential moisture damage for both the system and your home.

Troubleshoot the issue by ensuring the outdoor drain pipe is unobstructed by dirt and debris and checking on the drain pan to verify that it’s neither cracked nor clogged in some way. If both of these options fail to solve your problem, you may be dealing with a malfunctioning float switch or a broken condensation pump. Both of these repairs deal with full part replacements or contact with electrical elements of your system, which is why they’re both best left to trained professionals.

When You Need Big Repairs

If all of your troubleshooting doesn’t get you the results you need or simply uncovers a bigger underlying issue, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals to get your necessary repairs done right. Contact Howard Air to schedule a trained professional with the right experience, tools, and specialized industry knowledge to get your air conditioning unit running right again, regardless of how big or small the problem you’re dealing with might be.