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10 Common AC Problems

10 common ac problems

Have you ever turned your air conditioner on in your home only to get a face full of warm air? AC problems are common in the summer, especially during heatwaves when your system is working harder than ever to keep your home cool. We want you to be comfortable all summer long so we have put together a list of the 10 most common air conditioner problems you might encounter in the coming months and what to do about them. 

1. Your AC is Blowing Out Warm Air

If the air coming out of your vents isn’t perfectly crisp and cold, there might be a few different problems going on. Your system may be low on refrigerant. Low refrigerant means a leak in the system, so you’ll need an AC repair. It could also just be from a dirty filter. You can change the filter to see if that fixes the problem. 

2. Your AC Won’t Kick On

If your AC won’t turn on at all, it might not even be a problem with your air conditioner. It could be an issue with your thermostat or your electrical system. If your thermostat is working fine and has fresh batteries, you may need to call for an AC repair to troubleshoot the problem. 

3. Your AC Has a Refrigerant Leak

Over time, small cracks can form in the coils of your AC. Coolant can leak through these little imperfections. You may notice a hissing noise, and the air might get warmer over time. You can also listen for bubbling sounds. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous, so make sure to call for an AC repair as soon as you can when you notice these signs. 

4. Your AC Has a Water Leak

Air conditioners can leak both inside and outside the home. If you have a leak inside, there is probably something wrong with your drain line. It might be clogged by minerals, dirt, or even mold. When the drain line is clogged, the drain pan will fill up and you’ll get water dripping down your wall or around the base of the indoor unit. This can easily be remedied by an air conditioning repair. If it’s leaking outside, it could be normal condensation or it could be the result of a frozen coil melting. 

5. Your AC is Freezing Up

If you have a frozen AC unit, you’ll know because it will either stop working altogether or it will work much less effectively. Sometimes an AC repair for this problem is as easy as changing the filter. You may also need to have the coils cleaned or the refrigerant charged. 

6. Your AC Has Started Making Noises

If your air conditioner is relatively quiet, you may notice right away when it starts making louder noises. Banging, rattling, clanking, and squealing noises are all common when the system needs an AC repair. Any noises that are new are worth calling for because noises are never good news. 

7. Your AC Is Constantly Tripping the Breaker

Sometimes an AC problem isn’t even caused by the air conditioner itself. You may need an electrical panel upgrade or replacement, or other electrical repairs. A breaker that is frequently tripping every time your AC is running isn’t normal and will need to be investigated. 

8. Your Energy Bills Are Sky-High

For many families, air conditioning accounts for up to 50% of the entire energy usage of the home during the summer. If that number for your home is growing, it probably means that there is something wrong in your system. An AC repair can bring energy usage down and lighten the burden of your utilities. 

9. Your AC is Cycling On and Off Too Frequently

Air conditioners should cycle on and off every 20 minutes or so. If this is happening a lot more frequently, there could be a problem with the sensor. If you put off an AC repair, you could start to notice humidity levels rise in your home since your air conditioner won’t have time to properly dehumidify before cycling back off again. 

10. Your AC Has a Dirty Filter

You can avoid many of the most common problems and air conditioning repairs by replacing your filter. Dirty filters can cause everything from lower efficiency to major breakdowns. Most manufacturers recommend changing the filter every 1-3 months depending on whether or not you have pets.

Summer is coming! That means air conditioner problems could be just around the corner, too. Stay on top of repairs by keeping our number handy. You can contact CM Heating for spring AC maintenance and tune-ups or for emergency AC repair services. 

 

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