Air conditioners are complex systems, and any problem more serious than the most basic should be diagnosed and addressed by a trained HVAC professional. However, as a homeowner, you can help by being aware of common problems that can reduce air conditioner efficiency, erode performance or cause the A/C to break down entirely. With that knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to troubleshoot a problem and maybe even fix it if it’s relatively simple. Following are some common air conditioner issues:
Insufficient air coming out of registers. This could be as simple as a clogged air filter, blocked register(s), or leaking or broken ductwork. You can check these issues yourself and address them as well. Poor airflow not only impairs performance; it wastes energy and stresses system components. If you address basic problems and the A/C still has poor airflow, the problem might be more serious, such as a malfunctioning blower motor.
Overwork. An A/C can and will break down if it’s asked to provide excessive cooling. On extremely hot days, don’t expect your air conditioner to cool your home down to 19 degrees. If that’s what you’ve been doing, and the A/C stops cooling or doesn’t work at all, your cooling system could have serious damage.
The A/C isn’t cooling the air sufficiently. This could be a number of issues, including inadequate, or leaking refrigerant, poor airflow, or dirty cooling coils (either inside or outside). For most of these issues, you’ll want to call a trained professional.
Frozen coils. This could be the result of a variety of issues, and if the problem persists, you’ll need to call in a technician.
The A/C won’t turn on at all. This could be a power problem. Check your electrical circuit box to make sure the circuit hasn’t tripped. The problem also could be a malfunctioning thermostat. Turn the temperature way down to determine whether that kicks on the cooling system.
If you have a problem with the A/C in your Calgary-area home, please contact us at Arpi’s Industries. We’ll be happy to find the problem and fix it.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C troubleshooting and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide.
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