5 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Stopped Working
- The Unit Is Too Small or Has an Old Thermostat
- The Outdoor Condenser Unit is Blocked. Shrubs should not be planted too close to your AC unit because they could obstruct air flow. ...
- Low Refrigerant. A service technician uses gauges, a recovery pump and a tank to remove refrigerant from a residential air conditioning system in preparation for servicing.
- Clogged Air Filter. Airman 1st Class Allen Adams, a heating ventilation air conditioning specialist, replaces a filter on an air handler in a critical facility on Nellis Air Force ...
- Mechanical Issues. This diagram of an air conditioner unit shows both the inside and outside components. Pbroks13/Wikimedia/CCA License 3.0
Why is my cooling system not working?
Why is my cooling not working?
- What best describes the air coming out of your vents? NO AIR – Continue to the Furnace or Heating System section. ...
- Is the compressor running? YES – Continue to the Thermostat Device section. ...
- Remove your existing thermostat from the wall plate On most thermostats, you can take off the thermostat by grasping and gently pulling. ...
Why is my Haier AC not working?
Why is my Haier AC not working? Common solutions for: Haier Air conditioner not cooling. If the air filter is clogged, air cannot flow properly through the air conditioner. …. In addition, if the air filter is clogged, the evaporator coils will frost over. To remove debris from the air filter, try cleaning the filter.
Why is my central air conditioner not cooling my house?
- Your thermostat is switched to ON
- Your air filter is dirty
- Your outside unit is dirty
- Your circuit breaker is tripped
Why is my home AC not working?
The 9 Most Common Reasons Why Your AC Won’t Turn On
- Thermostat Issues. Your thermostat is your way of communicating with your air conditioner. ...
- Circuit Breaker Tripped. A common problem is the circuit breaker switching off . ...
- Condenser Unit Unplugged. ...
- Blown Fuse. ...
- Clogged Air Filter. ...
- Clogged AC Drain Line. ...
- AC Motor Failure. ...
- Refrigerant Leak. ...
- False Temperature Readings. ...
Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Turning On?
No matter what type of system you have - central, mini-split, ductless, or heat pump - there are commonalities between the types of AC systems that...
Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling the House?
Uneven temperatures throughout your home are not uncommon. If you have been noticing different temperatures in rooms or higher energy bills there a...
Why Is My Air Conditioning Fan Not Working?
If the fan on your AC unit stops working it could be something as simple as your circuit breaker tripping or something more complex. If your air co...
Why Is My Air Conditioner is Making Noise?
Air conditioners, when they are functioning optimally, are pretty quiet. There can be the occasional noise when they complete a cycle but if they s...
Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Turning Off?
The opposite of your air conditioner not coming on - not turning off - is also a sign of a problem. If your air conditioner is constantly blowing i...
Can I Reset My AC?
Most professionally installed ACs will not have reset buttons. Power outages or surges, while rare in the Pacific Northwest, can be the reason your...
Why is my air conditioner not cooling?
As you can imagine, if the refrigerant is low, the air conditioner won't cool very well. The amount of the refrigerant in the unit must exactly match the manufacturer's specifications. There are two reasons why you would have a low level of refrigerant. One is that when the system was installed, not enough was added.
How does an air conditioner work?
Air conditioning units have two parts: one inside your home and one outside of it. A fan in the inside unit blows air through the chilled evaporator coil, cooling your house, via air ducts. Meanwhile outside, the compressor, condenser coil and another fan vent the hot air coming off the refrigerant.
How does refrigerant turn into gas?
Inside your warm house, cold liquid refrigerant evaporates on the evaporator coil, turning into gas. The hot refrigerant gas is then pumped outside into your system's condenser, where it transfers the heat to the outside air and reverts into a liquid again and the cycle continues [source: DOE ].
What is an evaporator coil?
The evaporator coil is a network of tubes, filled with a coolant called refrigerant, that remove moisture and heat from the air. Advertisement. A clogged filter hinders the flow of air through the unit, reducing its efficiency and making it tougher to cool your house.
How much did Americans spend on air conditioning in 2013?
In 2013, Americans spent $7.2 billion installing or replacing central air conditioning units in their homes, according to federal census data. That was more than any other sort of home improvement, except for new kitchens and bathroom remodeling, according to the survey [source: Quint ]. Advertisement.
What happens if a duct is too small?
If the ducts are too small, he says, the unit will have to work harder to cool down the house. That, in turn, increases wear and tear on the components and shortens their lifespan. And if the unit itself is too small for the space, the house will never get cool enough. Advertisement.
When will AC refrigerant be phased out?
Nearly all current AC systems use halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), aka R-22 or freon, as a refrigerant but these are being phased out for environmental reasons. Between 2020 and 2030 , ozone-safe hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are expected to become the norm [source: DOE].
What happens if my air conditioner doesn't cool?
If the air conditioner works but shuts off and/or doesn't cool, the evaporator is dirty. Clean it, and then let the air conditioner run for a few hours. If the air conditioner is running without cool air, check the condenser, which could be blocked or dirty. If so, remove the debris and try again. The thermal expansion valve (TXV) stopped.
Why do air conditioners suck heat out of the air?
Air conditioners suck heat out of the air to cool it. They don’t add coolness to the air. Dirty coils bring bacteria into your home, and build slime that can’t absorb the heat. Clean the coils as soon as possible if you suspect they are dirty, or replace them if needed. The programmable thermostat isn’t set.
How hot can an air conditioner be?
The weather outside is too hot. The air conditioner can't function when the weather is more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. On scorching days, reaching 62 degrees Fahrenheit in your home is hard.
Is an air conditioner the right size?
The air conditioner isn’t the right size. Many homeowners don’t know this, but you need the right size air conditioner for your home. Improper sizing causes inadequate home cooling. If you believe this could be your issue, talk to a professional about which size air conditioner is right for your home. The air conditioner fuse blew, ...
7 common air conditioner problems
Want to know how to fix your air conditioner? Here are seven common problems with home air conditioners and how to fix them:
Your air con unit is unplugged
This is not an issue with your air con as such, but with your electrical connection. So, first and foremost, check that the unit is plugged in! While this might be an obvious issue, on occasion the plug may become partially or completely dislodged.
The thermostat of your air con is out of place
Room air conditioners are designed with a thermostat sensor (located behind the control panel), which measures the temperature of the air the unit is blowing out. If your unit is not blowing any cold air, the sensor may have been knocked out of position.
Your air conditioner has blown circuit breakers and fuses
Circuit breakers and fuses are often to blame when the air conditioner stops working. With older homes, it can be common to have circuits that are overloaded if the air con shares a circuit with other appliances such as fridges , microwaves , or irons. Check to see if the fuse has been blown or if the circuit breaker has been tripped.
Your air con has ice build-up
Ice build-up is the bane of many homes with an air conditioner. If the fan blower belt becomes damaged, ice can form inside the unit, causing a slow cooling performance. To check if this is the case, switch off the unit and lift the cover to see if there is any ice build-up on or behind the filter.
Your air conditioner is on the wrong setting
Having the right temperature set on your control is key. If your AC is blowing air but still isn’t cold, ensure your unit is set to ‘cooling’ mode on the controller. Typically, this is indicated by a snowflake symbol or the words ‘cold’ or ‘cool’.
Signs of air conditioner problems
While your air con not properly cooling or heating the room may be a good indicator it’s not working properly, there are a few other signs to look out for to ascertain if your unit is working at full capacity.
What happens when your air conditioner stops working?
When your air conditioner stops working it can make certainly cause a bit of chaos in your home. With summer temperatures reaching record highs lately, having an air conditioner that works properly is a must.
Why does my air conditioner need room?
Your air conditioner needs room to breathe. Air passes throughout the unit and restricting that air flow anywhere can cause damages to the system. Sometimes trees can grow behind window air conditioner units which restrict the air flow coming from the back of the air conditioner.
How does an air conditioner filter work?
The air filter on your system is crucial to it performing well. A clogged air filter will restrict air flow in the system. This will not only cause the energy consumption of the unit to skyrocket but it will also restrict the air that comes out the vents. If you notice less than normal air flow coming from your home’s air conditioner vents it’s best to check and if needed replace the air filter. If you find that your air filter is clogged and dirty, don’t just remove it. Running the air conditioner without an air filter is very bad for the system as the coils inside the unit will start to clog and cleaning them can become costly.
How long does an air conditioner last?
Air conditioners can last for many years. In fact, some of the newer air conditioning systems can have a warranty of 10 years or even longer. The following tips will not factor the age of the unit however. If your system is more or less than 10 years old you can still check these items to see if it’s the problem or not.
What to do if your AC circuit is off?
If the circuit breakers are off you can try turning them back on. In case the circuit breakers don’t stay on, it’s best to have a qualified AC service person come to determine why the circuit breakers are tripping. If the disconnect outside is off, you’ll need to determine why someone turned it off.
Is it bad to run an air conditioner without a filter?
If you find that your air filter is clogged and dirty, don’t just remove it. Running the air conditioner without an air filter is very bad for the system as the coils inside the unit will start to clog and cleaning them can become costly.
Why is my air conditioner not working?
Air conditioner fans not working can be a sign of a frozen evaporator coil. The evaporator coil sits inside your home within the air handler unit (furnace or fan coil), pulling heat and humidity from indoor air as it passes through. The evaporator coil can freeze up as a result of indoor blower fan malfunction, low refrigerant charge, ...
What to do if your AC fan is not working?
If you have a situation with a central air conditioner fan not working and you have exhausted the troubleshooting steps outlined previously, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a certified HVAC technician. Your local Carrier HVAC dealer offers the expertise needed to properly diagnose and service your AC system.
What happens if your fan blade is broken?
Broken Fan Blade. If your system is running but you hear unusual noise coming from the outdoor unit, you might have a bad fan or a bent or broken fan blade. To troubleshoot, turn off the system at the thermostat as a safety precaution. A broken or damage fan blade can be dangerous if the system turns on while you are inspecting it.
Why does my fan make a noise?
If a fan blade is cracked, loose or broken, it can cause unusual noises due to it being out of balance or physically striking other components in the outdoor unit. If you discover a broken or damaged fan blade, keep the system turned off and contact a local HVAC professional for repair.
How to tell if AC capacitor is bad?
If a run capacitor malfunctions, your AC system may not start, or it might start but continue to run, possibly making a humming sound. Other signs the run capacitor has malfunctioned include slow or delayed start-up, system shut down, or the system not blowing cold air.
How to check if AC is running on electricity?
First, locate your main breaker box panel and make sure the AC system circuit breaker hasn’t been tripped.
How to check if your thermostat is on?
Check Your Thermostat. Start by checking your thermostat. If the system is on, but set for heating instead of cooling, the system likely won’t operate. Switch it back to either cooling or auto mode (automatically switches between heating and cooling), and check that an appropriate cooling temperature is selected.
Why is my AC unit not turning on?
Failure to turn on an AC unit that’s blowing warm air are both signs of a thermostat issue. First, make sure your thermostat is calibrated correctly.
Why won't my AC unit turn on?
A loose or frayed wire could also prevent your unit from turning on. Trouble Adjusting the Thermostat. Speaking of the thermostat, glitches within the control center of your air conditioner could also pose a problem. Failure to turn on an AC unit that’s blowing warm air are both signs of a thermostat issue.
Why is my central air system running so loud?
Most central air systems run relatively quiet. You may hear a “swoosh” as the unit turns on and cool air floods from the vents and into your home. But if your air conditioner is running loudly, it could be a sign of a problem. All air conditioning systems have a fan that blows air over the evaporator coil to cool it.
What happens if your evaporator coil doesn't receive enough air?
If the coil doesn’t receive enough air or refrigerant levels are low, a layer of ice can develop. In some cases, the coil freezes completely. The result is less cool air coming from the ducts or, in some cases, no air at all.
How does an air conditioner fan work?
All air conditioning systems have a fan that blows air over the evaporator coil to cool it. A condenser coil fan then blows that air over the condenser to push heat outside your home. Like with any mechanism, these fans can wear out, break, or become damaged.
Why is my coil frozen?
If you discover that the refrigerant levels are fine, an airflow issue might be the reason for your frozen coil. The most common cause of insufficient airflow is a dirty filter.
What does it mean when your thermostat is calibrated?
If your thermostat is calibrated correctly but the AC still isn’t working, check that it’s set to the lowest possible temperature. This should kick start the unit. If not, it may be time to call in the experts.
