When your air con is not blowing cold air on a hot day, it truly does feel like the end of the world. You’re sweaty, tired and uncomfortable thanks to an AC that does not work. But if you’re sitting there worried about those common air conditioner problems and how to fix them, worry no more.
Common heating and cooling issues that can easily be fixed. Other issues require a professional hand, and that’s where common sense comes in. So no matter what issue you’re looking at, some tender loving care or air conditioner repairs will help when your aircon is not working.
Blocked Filters and Poor Air Quality
Poorly maintained air conditioners can be incredibly problematic. And one of the worst offending faults is a blocked air conditioner filter. Too often it’s not cleaned regularly. Full of dust particles, fur, bacteria and more, those contaminants will remain in your home as they are constantly cycling through the system.
You need a clean filter to ensure you have high quality, freshly filtered air flowing through your home. Otherwise you have a barrier of dust preventing you from enjoying peak air conditioning performance. Breathing in low quality indoor air can negatively impact your health, causing headaches, dizziness, skin irritation and breathing issues.
Dirty air conditioner coils are equally as annoying since both can force the air conditioner to short cycle. Excess energy usage can lead to consistent breakdowns and increased electricity bills.
To clean your air conditioner filters, remove them from either the indoor split system or return vent in the wall/ceiling. You can delicately vacuum the dust or rinse and soak the filter in mild, slightly soapy water. Wipe down or vacuum any indoor AC system components and place the filter back in once dried.
The outdoor unit can be gently cleaned with sprayable air conditioner cleaning solution and a hose. This ensures your air conditioner coils remain clean and healthy for safe use.
One way to avoid these issues altogether is by upgrading to a mini split air conditioner, which has washable filters that are easy to clean and maintain, providing you with better indoor air quality and fewer breakdowns.
Thermostat That is Not Working
Your air conditioner’s thermostat manages and analyses the internal temperature of your home. It responds to any changes you make to the desired temperature, and reacts to any changes in conditions. Therefore, if your aircon is not working correctly, chances are the thermostat is at fault.
To test this, run through a series of different programs on your system. For example, try cooling at 18°C and 23°C to determine any noticeable changes. Different fan settings will also help you assess whether there are performance issues when cool air is not blowing out.
If the thermostat is to blame, you have to understand that thermostat repairs are not a task to tackle yourself. Issues such as a damaged sensor or faulty wiring require a professional hand.
If you find yourself at your wit’s end after troubleshooting temperature controls via the remote or control panel, call a local technician or the manufacturer’s customer service number. An upgrade to a smart thermostat could be a very timely choice if yours is not working.
Tripped Circuit Breaker or Blown Fuses
Electrical faults within an air conditioner often cause systems to stop working. Old fuses wear out while even new fuses and circuit breakers can trip when overloaded.
Professionally installed air conditioners will be on their own independent electrical circuit. That means any issues are isolated to the air conditioner, unless the entire home’s power supply is affected. Usually your circuit breaker or safety switch is triggered as a safety precaution, and if this occurs, there may be deeper issues.
If your AC is not working, go to the switchboard and check the associated switch or fuse. You can flip the switch off and then on for a quick and simple troubleshoot, or flick a tripped breaker switch back on.
If you find yourself repeatedly checking circuit breakers, call in a professional electrician to undertake the appropriate repairs. They can determine the best course of action and uncover any serious fault.
Ice Build-Up or Water Damage
Air conditioners can get too frosty when key components such as the fan blower belt stop working. Ice can build up inside the AC system when the cool air is not successfully transported throughout the unit. The outcome is a negative impact on both performance and internal parts.
When ice builds up within your aircon, switch it off and allow for defrosting. Meanwhile, leaking refrigerant is also a cause of ice and freezing. Unfortunately, in both cases, ice is likely to return unless the fault is addressed and repaired.
Other concerns linked to water include poor drainage or water damage from melted ice. If there is no proper drainage, your heating or cooling system is at risk of long term damage. The occurrence of an electrical fire is also a risk if the water meets exposed wiring. Therefore, be sure to promptly address any ice or water problems.
Broken Down Compressor
It could be the cooling, or maybe your air conditioner’s heat setting is not working. Whatever the fault, your unit’s compressor may be the cause. Internal components and air con motors break down due to age and wear and tear.
Ongoing inspections will help you avoid any shock breakdowns, thankfully. But it’s not possible to avoid any and every potential outcome. At some stage you will be caught out by a faulty compressor or motor. And without a fully functioning system you will be staring at some big repairs.
To stay ahead of the curve, always monitor your air conditioner for inconsistent performance, strange sounds, unwelcome smells or excessive energy bills. Any of the above could be a reason for your AC not working.
If the motor or compressor is to blame, do not attempt to replace or repair AC unit parts on your own. Instead, book a licensed air conditioning technician like those at Mr Emergency. You can rest assured that your air conditioner is in safe hands then.
