Solutions for Common AC Problems

One major thing can keep you from needing a costly air conditioning repair call or can keep you form having issues at all:  CHANGING THE FILTER REGULARLY.  Dirt, pet hair, and other debris can clog the filter and the HVAC unit, potentially causing multiple problems including ice in the lines, freezing of the outdoor HVAC unit, and no air circulation despite the outdoor unit working properly.  Follow the instructions on changing the particular filter you purchase, but keep in mind if you have multiple pets or other environmental issues that could cause the filter to clog, then you may need to change it more often than the filter directions state.  Other than a filter issue, there are five main issues that you might have with your air conditioner if it’s not working:

• Outdoor unit doesn’t start at all
• Fan does not run, even though the unit starts up
• Fan runs, but compressor does not
• Outdoor unit runs, but air does not circulate
• Ice on the lines

Of course, there are other issues that may cause your air conditioner to stop working, but these are the most common.  The outdoor fan not starting could be caused by something as simple as the unit not having power.  Therefore, it may not be an issue with the actual air conditioning unit.  You may have a defective breaker, the low voltage wires may have gotten damaged (often by small animals), or a wire could be burned off at the contact.  This issue could also be caused by a defective contactor, themostat, or transformer.  If the unit does not power on, always check connections and breakers before searching for any other possible repairs.

When the fan isn’t running, even though the unit is on and making noise, it could be due to a defective fan motor or capacitor.  The compressor not running could be caused by an overload due to the unit needing a refrigerant charge, the condenser coil being dirty, a defective run capacitor, or a burned wire.  Air not circulating inside indicates the fan is not running perly and could be due to a defective blower motor, capacitor, or fan center, as well as a dirty filter, evaporator core, or a burned off wire.  Ice on the lines could be caused by a defective blower motor or blower motor capacitor, dirty evaporator or filter, as well as the unit being low on refrigerant.

We can properly diagnose these issues and ensure you receive the recommendation to fix your problem and make your home environment comfortable!