An air conditioner runs 24/7 for months at a time, and even with regular maintenance and high-quality care, sometimes your AC may fall into disrepair. For the most part, air conditioner disrepair is a very quick fix for the expert technicians at Fahrhall as it usually comes down to one of the top ten most common issues. Take a look at the most common AC issues to learn more about what might be causing your air conditioner to be on the fritz!

1. AC Not Turning On

If your AC is not turning on, don’t panic. An AC that refuses to turn on properly is one of the more common residential air conditioner issues and can usually be solved fairly quickly. If your AC won’t turn on, it’s most likely due to one of the following causes:

• Clogged air filter
• Dead battery on thermostat
• Malfunctioning thermostat
• Tripped circuit breaker

2. AC Blowing Hot Air

If your AC is blowing hot air, it’s usually attributed to a clogged air filter. If your air filter is clogged with dust, dirt, and other airborne particles, your air conditioner cannot function properly. Make sure to change your air filter at least once every 90 days to prevent this from occurring.

3. Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is the chemical inside your air conditioner that physically cools the air that is dispersed through your home. One of the most common AC issues is leaking refrigerant. This can be remedied very easily with a call to the experts at Fahrhall.

4. Short Cycling

Short cycling is the term used to describe when your home’s air conditioner turns on and off without reason, often not achieving a full cycle. Short cycling can be caused by a few different factors including:

• Clogged air filter
• Malfunctioning thermostat
• Wrong size air conditioner for the square footage of your home

5. Strange Noises

While running, it’s very normal for your air conditioner to make some noises like the whirring of a fan. However, what isn’t a good sign is when your air conditioner makes strange, new, or unrecognizable sounds including:

• Hissing
• Popping
• Banging
• Dripping

These sounds are a fairly common issue in residential ACs and can be remedied fairly easily by calling the experts at Fahrhall for repair.

6. Unpleasant Smells

Your air conditioner should be odourless, however, it’s not uncommon for an air conditioner experiencing disrepair to begin smelling funky. Bad odours including a fishy, mouldy, dirty, or burning smell can come from an array of causes like:

• A clogged air filter
• Mould or mildew in the air ducts
• Electrical wiring issues
• Leaking chemicals or gas

7. Water Leaking

Another common issue for ACs is leaking water from the outdoor unit. While this could mean a few different things, for the most part, water leaking is indicative of:

• A clogged air filter
• Improper installation
• A blocked pipe
• Low coolant levels

8. Outdoor Unit Frozen Up

Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit works tirelessly to keep your home cool, and due to general wear and tear it can freeze up or become unresponsive. This can occur for a few different reasons including:

• Poor airflow
• Low outside temperatures
• Low coolant levels
• A broken blower motor

9. Drainage Issue

A lot of condensation is collected by your air conditioner, and as condensation turns to puddles of water it must be drained properly. Unfortunately, one of the more common AC issues is the presence of a drainage clog that can lead to a build-up of water in the system. To avoid this issue, schedule preventative maintenance for your AC at least once every year.

10. Electrical Issue

Unfortunately, electrical issues can be common in air conditioners and should be taken very seriously as they can become hazardous very quickly. If you suspect that your air conditioner is malfunctioning due to an electrical issue, unplug your system and call for expert repair immediately.

Experiencing one of these common AC issues?
Call the HVAC team at Fahrhall for help, today!

Fahrhall has been proudly serving the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions since 1967. We are committed to providing our customers and our community with reliable service and quality equipment.

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