5 Common Air Conditioner Problems and How to Repair Them
Air conditioner issues can be a huge source of frustration. If you’ve tried everything and still cannot find the problem with your air conditioner, you’ve come to the right place.
Last Revised: February 9, 2024
Read Time: 5 min.
Can you remember a time when you opened your front door after spending a hot summer afternoon in the sun? That refreshing feeling of a well-air-conditioned house is hard to describe.
When summer comes around, the last thing you want to be dealing with is a failing air conditioning unit. Days can turn into weeks spent with little to no relief.
There are a few telltale signs that your air conditioner needs repair. Weak airflow and a lack of cool air coming from the vents in your home are just a couple of the signs that there’s a problem afoot somewhere in your air conditioner or HVAC ventilation system.
Diagnosing the root cause of your HVAC issue can be challenging, but one thing is for sure: you need your home’s comfort back so that you can get on with your life. The HVAC team at Mattioni is here to help you understand what’s going on with your air conditioner.
Having an experienced HVAC professional come to your home to inspect the system is always a good idea, however in many cases, you can do some of your own diagnostics.
In this article, we’ll share some common problems you may be experiencing with your air conditioner, and we’ll educate you on the best next steps to take on your own or if it is advisable to bring in a professional.
5 Common AC Issues and How to Fix Them
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Why isn’t the Air Coming out of my Vents Cold?
If there’s normal airflow from your vents but the air is warm, it’s likely a sign that your unit’s capacitor has failed.
A capacitor is an electrical component in outdoor AC units that works together with a contactor to give power to the motor and drive the system. It’s a very small part that can have big implications if it’s failing. The most prevalent problem tied to capacitor failure is warm air coming from your vents.
The good news is that this is usually a quick fix, and only requires replacement of the individual part. However, locating and replacing electrical parts can be dangerous and challenging, so it’s smart to have a professional take care of the job.
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Why is the Airflow from my Vents Weak?
Poor airflow can be extremely frustrating, especially if you’ve examined your air conditioning unit and haven’t found anything malfunctioning.
The first step you should take is to ensure that all your vents and returns are open and unobstructed. Duct networks are often planned carefully, so closing off vents to unused rooms can hinder airflow to the rest of the ventilation system.
To best conceptualize why this happens we must remember that air travels through several narrow, sharp turns before it reaches a vent. When your ductwork was installed, the expected airflow was likely accounting for all vents to be open. When you close one vent, the overall airflow to all nearby vents is decreased as a result.
One option you may want to consider as a solution to this problem is installing zone dampers. The addition of zone dampers will allow you to control the amount of air that flows to certain areas in your home by simply pushing a few buttons on your thermostat.
The last thing you’ll want to do to support airflow is inspect, seal and clear your ducts of any dust, dirt, debris or any household items that may be obstructing your vents. This includes cleaning or replacing your air filter. You can also insulate your ducts to improve temperature retention within them.
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Why is my AC unit making Strange Noises and Smells?
Another clear sign that your air conditioner needs repair or replacement is unusual noises or smells coming from the unit. Let’s talk about the severity of a few common AC oddities:
Short pinging sounds happen when ducts expand or contract and are not a cause for concern.
A rattling noise can come and go when the unit starts up and is not typically a cause for concern. If there is rattling that doesn’t stop, it could be that the outdoor unit’s condenser coil is clogged or dirty. If you’re experiencing this noise, you’ll want to clear all debris from the coil and clean it if necessary. If the rattle persists, you’ll want to have the unit inspected professionally.
A buzzing noise poses a greater cause for concern as it’s almost always an electrical problem. This can be caused by a loose electrical connection, a malfunctioning contactor or a circuit breaker issue. If you hear a buzzing noise, immediately switch off the air conditioner and call an HVAC professional.
A burning plastic smell is a strong warning sign that something bad is about to happen. Like a buzzing noise, this is likely an electrical issue that has led to something melting and has become a fire hazard. Turn off the system, do not try to solve this issue yourself, and call a professional immediately.
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Why is there Liquid around my AC Unit?
If you notice liquid dripping or pooling near either your indoor or outdoor AC unit, you should address it as quickly as possible. This could be a sign of a refrigerant leak in the evaporator coil, condenser coil, or refrigerant line.
If the leak is found to be coming from the evaporator or condenser, the part should be replaced. If the leak is coming from the refrigerant line, you may be able to have a spot repair done to stop the leak.
There’s also a chance that the leak you’re experiencing is water accumulation from condensation, which indicates that the drainage line is likely clogged.
The best way to handle an air conditioner drainage clog is by first turning off the unit. Next you should clear the line by using a plunger, snake, hose or shop vac. Once you’ve removed the clog, test the line by pouring some water through it to ensure that it has been cleared.
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Why have my Energy Bills Substantially Increased?
Slight fluctuations in your utility bills from month to month are expected. Sharp and sudden spikes aren’t.
If your energy bill inexplicably shoots up, it’s a sign that there is a broken part or leak somewhere in your HVAC system. Troubleshooting this issue can be very complicated as there’s often not a clear indication of where to begin looking.
Having a routine inspection and tune-up is a good place to start in evaluating and improving your HVAC system’s health after a high utility bill.
When is Replacement Recommended?
The expected lifespan of an air conditioning unit is 10-15 years. If your air conditioning unit is having complex issues and is approaching 10 years of operation, then it may be time to think about replacement options.
Our rule of thumb at Mattioni is to highly consider unit replacement if it’s out of warranty and requires repairs costing over $1,000. To help understand why we stand by this rule, let’s think about our HVAC systems like we do our cars:
By enduring high repair costs to fix your 15-year-old car you may solve the problem at hand, but there are many more expected issues down the road. Repairing an old car like this means you’re also signing up to pay more repair costs in the future. There is a point where paying such high repair costs doesn’t make sense, and buying a new car is the practical decision. This same principle applies to our air conditioners.
Mattioni Professionals are Repair and Replacement Experts
Summer should be a time for soaking up the sun and relaxing at home, not the nightmare of sweating in your own living room. The best way to avoid this is to schedule maintenance appointments and address small problems before they become a catastrophe.
Whether you need an HVAC tune-up, ductwork optimization, electrical component replacement, or new unit installation, we can help return comfort to your home quickly and as stress-free as possible.
Our friendly HVAC service professionals handle hundreds of air conditioner repairs and replacements every year. We can help you understand everything you need to know to keep your air conditioning system running smoothly.
Talk to someone today to learn more about our VIP memberships, which include two annual HVAC tune-ups, 30% off select HVAC repairs and five-year extended warranties on all HVAC appliances.
It can be easy to take your home’s comfort for granted. Make sure you’re doing what you can today to beat the heat this summer.
Schedule an appointment online, or call today at 610-400-8510.
