During the summer, your air conditioner (AC) works harder and longer. That high demand may cause a problem to rear its ugly head.  In this multi-part post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems, talk about the possible causes, and provide suggestions for tackling each problem.

Inadequate Cooling

If your system is working fine (no leaks or noises, etc.), but it is not able to maintain the desired temperature you set on the thermostat, especially during the hottest part of the day, it could be that your unit is under-sized for your house. Perhaps you added space on to the house since it was built or removed trees near the house that were providing shade. When excessive demand is being made on the unit and it can’t keep up, you may need a larger unit. To delay having to get another system, you can add extra insulation – especially in the attic – and get double or triple paned windows with low E glass, to help improve your system’s performance. Getting regular tune-ups in spring and fall also helps to maintain your system’s efficiency so it will operate at peak performance. Other reasons for inadequate cooling include:

• A dirty condenser or evaporator coil
• A blocked condenser
• Clogged drain lines
• A lack of system refrigerant

Avoid AC Problems

Summer can be the best time of the year, so don’t let air conditioning problems hinder you from enjoying it.  Be sure to get annual AC maintenance visits, so it will run efficiently and be ready for the high demand of the summer’s heat.  If you live in the Nashville area and experience any heating or cooling problems, call on Interstate AC Service at (615) 832-8500.

During the summer, your air conditioner (AC) works harder and longer.  That high demand may cause a problem to rear its ugly head.  In this multi-part post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems, talk about the possible causes, and provide suggestions for tackling each problem.

AC Doesn’t Cycle On

If your AC does not cycle on, check to make sure it has power, that the circuit breaker has not been tripped, and that the thermostat is on and set to cool mode. If these check out, then here are some possible causes:

1. System has frozen up: You might see ice on the inside or outside unit. This is typically a sign that there is a refrigerant leak (described above), but it could also be a sign that the ductwork is blocked or a dirty air filter. Turn the system off, turn the thermostat to fan, and wait for the ice to defrost, which may take several hours. Meanwhile, call an AC professional.
2. Condensation (drip) pan is full: When condensate drips from the evaporator into the drip pan, the excess water should be carried away via pipes to the outside. If these pipes – the condensate lines – get clogged, a water float switch will automatically turn the AC unit off. If your unit is not equipped with a float switch, you will instead see water leaking from the around the drip pan. Dry out the drip pan and clean the condensate line. Refer to our post Clean Condensate Lines to Prevent Mold).

Avoid AC Problems

Summer can be the best time of the year, so don’t let air conditioning problems hinder you from enjoying it.  Be sure to get annual AC maintenance visits, so it will run efficiently and be ready for the high demand of the summer’s heat.  If you live in the Nashville area and experience any heating or cooling problems, call on Interstate AC Service at (615) 832-8500.

During the summer, your air conditioner (AC) works harder and longer.  That high demand may cause a problem to rear its ugly head.  In this multi-part post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems, talk about the possible causes, and provide suggestions for tackling each problem.

AC is Blowing Hot Air

If your AC is not cooling or is blowing hot air, here are some possible causes and solutions:

1. Thermostat turned to heat mode: Switch it back to “cool” and you’re good to go.

2. Dirty evaporator coil caused by a dirty air filter:  Change air filters.  You may also need to have the evaporator coil (inside the indoor part of the AC unit) professionally cleaned.

3. Condenser coil obstructions: Check the outside AC unit for anything blocking the condenser’s air flow, and clean any debris (such as grass clippings, overgrown bushes, etc.) around the unit.

4. Low on refrigerant/Freon:  This is usually caused by a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system and looks like ice forming on either the inside or outside unit or both.  For this, you’ll need to contact an AC professional.  See our post Adding Freon to your AC is NOT a DIY Project.

Avoid AC Problems

Summer can be the best time of the year, so don’t let air conditioning problems hinder you from enjoying it.  Be sure to get annual AC maintenance visits, so it will run efficiently and be ready for the high demand of the summer’s heat.  If you live in the Nashville area and experience any heating or cooling problems, call on Interstate AC Service at (615) 832-8500.

During the summer, your air conditioner (AC) works harder and longer.  That high demand may cause a problem to rear its ugly head.  In this multi-part post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems, talk about the possible causes, and provide suggestions for tackling each problem.

AC Runs Continuously

Perhaps the AC is cooling but you notice it’s working harder and longer.  You might also notice a sharp increase in your energy bills compared to last year at the same time.  This may be due to a sensor problem, which is causing improper monitoring of the temperature of the evaporator coil.  Typical sensor problems include: the sensor isn’t positioned in the right place, the connections to and from the sensor have failed (due to an electrical short, for example), or the sensor itself has died.  A professional AC technician will be needed to investigate and remedy these situations.

Avoid AC Problems

Summer can be the best time of the year, so don’t let air conditioning problems hinder you from enjoying it.  Be sure to get annual AC maintenance visits, so it will run efficiently and be ready for the high demand of the summer’s heat.  If you live in the Nashville area and experience any heating or cooling problems, call on Interstate AC Service at (615) 832-8500.

During the summer, your air conditioner (AC) works harder and longer.  That high demand may cause a problem to rear its ugly head.  In this multi-part post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems, talk about the possible causes, and provide suggestions for tackling each problem.

Unit Shuts Off Repeatedly

If the unit is turning on and off repeatedly, or has difficulty switching on, or you hear a choking and stuttering sound while turning it on, there is short cycling problem.  This can severely damage the compressor, stress the other components, and will consume excess electricity.  Some possible causes are an electrical short somewhere in the system, poor wiring (this is serious and could cause a fire), a damaged or failed part in the system, dirty air filters, or blocked ducts preventing the flow of air.  If you continue to have a short cycling problem after checking your air filter and vents, turn the system off and contact an AC professional.  In some cases – especially if the problem has persisted a while – you may require a new AC unit entirely..

Avoid AC Problems

Summer can be the best time of the year, so don’t let air conditioning problems hinder you from enjoying it.  Be sure to get annual AC maintenance visits, so it will run efficiently and be ready for the high demand of the summer’s heat.  If you live in the Nashville area and experience any heating or cooling problems, call on Interstate AC Service at (615) 832-8500.

During the summer, your air conditioner (AC) works harder and longer.  That high demand may cause a problem to rear its ugly head.  In this multi-part post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems, talk about the possible causes, and provide suggestions for tackling each problem.

Noises

While your AC is running, you should hear the hum of the blower, a click when your air conditioner turns on, and the whir of the outside condenser fan.  Other noises – such as rattling, screeching, thumping, clanging, or banging – mean your system is having problems.  Typical causes of noise from the AC unit include: a belt wearing out, loose hardware, a failing motor, refrigerant issues, or blower issues.  But try these things first: make sure the filter is clean, that the air vents in all rooms are unblocked, and that there are no obstructions around or in the outside unit.  If you still hear strange noises, contact a professional AC service technician before the situation worsens and leads to big repair bills and prolonged downtime.

Avoid AC Problems

Summer can be the best time of the year, so don’t let air conditioning problems hinder you from enjoying it.  Be sure to get annual AC maintenance visits, so it will run efficiently and be ready for the high demand of the summer’s heat.  If you live in the Nashville area and experience any heating or cooling problems, call on Interstate AC Service at (615) 832-8500.

During the summer, your air conditioner (AC) works harder and longer.  That high demand may cause a problem to rear its ugly head.  In this multi-part post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems, talk about the possible causes, and provide suggestions for tackling each problem.

External Fan (Compressor) Not Working

Check all around and inside the outdoor unit.  Verify that the fan blades are unimpeded.  It could be that the outdoor unit sustained damage due to falling debris from storms.  Be sure to keep the area around the outdoor unit clear of debris and check it often throughout the summer and fall.  If there are no obstructions and the fan blades are not turning, it could be caused by a lack of power to the system.  Cycle the power by turning the circuit breaker off and back on again, then set the thermostat lower than the current inside temperature and wait 2-5 minutes.  If you do not hear the compressor kick in and the fan blades start to turn, you probably have a faulty motor or compressor, and will need to contact a service professional.

Avoid Summer AC Problems

Summer can be the best time of the year, so don’t let air conditioning problems hinder you from enjoying it.  Be sure to get annual AC maintenance visits, so it will run efficiently and be ready for the high demand of the summer’s heat.  If you live in the Nashville area and experience any heating or cooling problems, call on Interstate AC Service at (615) 832-8500.

Perhaps you’re really handy around the house, and enjoy taking on fix-it projects.  Adding refrigerant to your HVAC system – what we call a “shot of Freon” – is definitely NOT a do-it-yourself task!

Iced Up!

When your air conditioner is low on Freon, it means this colorless gas is leaking out from somewhere in the system (see Causes of Refrigerant Leaks). Typically, you will see ice forming on either the inside or outside unit or both.  If this happens you need to turn the HVAC system off completely, wait for it to thaw out, and call an HVAC professional.

Not DIY

Here are just some of the many reasons why you cannot just “add a shot of Freon” to your AC yourself:

1. Possessing most refrigerants – which are toxic chemicals – requires a special EPA 608 certification, which typically only licensed HVAC contractors can get.  It is unlawful to possess HVAC refrigerants without such a license.  If you find a seller that will sell directly to a consumer and does not ask for your 608 certification, then you should be suspicious that what they’re selling is counterfeit (see our post Fighting Back Against Fake Refrigerants).
2. There are now many different type of refrigerants on the market and each unit will work with only a certain type.  Putting the wrong type of refrigerant in your unit will damage the unit, and could also cause significant hazard to you!  Furthermore, as one refrigerant (R-22) has been phased out of production, other refrigerants may be used in its place, but may require certain updates to your system in order to do so.  You cannot assume that a supposedly “equivalent” product is compatible with your system.
3. To replace the leaky part or to update the refrigerant, the “old” refrigerant needs to be evacuated first.  But this cannot be done simply by exhausting it into the air (it is unlawful to do so)!  It must be captured into a special pressurized container so it can be recycled. Keep in mind that refrigerants are gasses at room temperature, and are compressed under extraordinary pressures in order to liquefy. Special gear is required to diagnose where the leak is, and to evacuate the old refrigerant and fill with new refrigerant.  Purchasing the appropriate gauges, diagnostic equipment, and pressurized vessels would exceed the cost of the service call.
4. Depending on the source and extent of the leak, it may be better and more cost-efficient to replace the entire unit, rather than to continue to fill it with Freon that will only leak out again in a short time. Sure, the cost to repair or replace your system may be higher than simply adding another “shot of Freon,” but not addressing the cause of the leak causes recurring expenses that will only escalate.  For example,  recharging the system several times could cause the oil in the compressor to deplete enough to damage the compressor, and then you may require a major, really expensive repair!

Are You Cost-Conscious?

The bottom line is this: if you’re cost conscious, then the best “bargain” is calling an HVAC professional when your system needs a shot of Freon.

If you live in the Nashville area, call Interstate AC Service at 615-802-2665.  We’ll help you with whatever ails your HVAC system.