Your air conditioner is a machine, and like all machines, it can wear out if not properly maintained on a regular basis. Knowing the most common breakdowns will help you diagnose problems with your HVAC unit.
1. Examine Your Breaker
The first thing you should do if your air conditioner has stopped working is to check your breaker. Breakers go on trips for a variety of reasons, including:
Circuit Overload: A circuit becomes overloaded when the devices connected to it require more amperage than it can supply.
Ground Fault: A ground fault occurs when a hot wire comes into contact with a ground wire or something grounded. It’s basically a type of short-circuiting.
When two hot wires or a hot wire and a neutral wire touch, they send too much electricity through the circuit, which trips the breaker.
Problems with the Appliance: As they begin to break down, large electrical equipment can draw too much electricity, tripping your breaker.
The use of a compressor is a good way to save money. If your air conditioner stops operating, check the breaker box. Look for your switch to be turned off, then turn it back on to see if your air conditioner starts up again.
2. Leaks of Refrigerant
Refrigerant circulates through your HVAC system, cooling the air that comes out. If your refrigerant line is leaking, you may notice the following symptoms:
Cooling Power Decrease
Hissing Noises From Your Indoor Unit
Increased Energy Bills Due to Frozen Coils
It can be tough to diagnose a refrigerant leak on your own. If you see any of the following signs, contact an AC technician to inspect your air conditioner.
3. Capacitors that have blown
Capacitors store energy and deliver it to the motor in order to keep it running. This means that if your capacitor breaks down, your HVAC system won’t work. Among the symptoms of a blown capacitor are:
Sounds of humming.
Your air conditioner shuts down on its own.
Your air conditioner will not turn on.
Energy bills that are both high and rising.
4. Defective Thermostats
If your thermostat is malfunctioning, you may believe your air conditioner has failed. The first thing to look for is power at your thermostat. If your thermostat is not working, it may require new batteries.
Other indicators of a faulty thermostat include temperature variations between the thermostat setting and the room temperature and your AC unit failing to switch on or off. Check that your connections are clean and well connected, and that all of the elements in your thermostat are clean (for mechanical thermostats).
5. Contaminated Condenser or Evaporator Coils
It is critical to replace your filter on a regular basis in order to maintain your air conditioner functioning efficiently. If your filter isn’t changed on a regular basis, dirt can seep into your condenser and evaporator coils, causing lower efficiency and, in extreme cases, shutting down your unit.
Has your upkeep been inadequate?
Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your air conditioner functioning efficiently for as long as possible. Our skilled technicians can inspect your system for signs of wear and tear and replace any parts that are beginning to fail. If your HVAC equipment isn’t working properly, please contact us right away so we can help you figure out what’s wrong!