Reasons Why Your AC is Not Working

Nobody likes air conditioning problems. Repairs can get pricey pretty quickly so it’s important to be able to diagnose some of the more basic issues that can arise when a unit isn’t functioning properly. It’s also important to find experienced and knowledgeable AC contractors that you can count on when you’re in over your head – luckily ThermEnergy is here to help.

It’s expected that your air conditioner will run more often in warmer weather, but regardless of how hot it is outside, it should still turn off from time to time. Fixing an AC that doesn’t want to turn off helps to protect important components of the system, and it also keeps your energy bill down. There could be numerous reasons why this is happening: thermostat, compressor, air filters, electrical. Try turning off the thermostat fan to see if that powers down the AC. If this doesn’t work you should call a professional.

Is your air conditioner not working? This could be a battery issue – try swapping out some fresh ones into the thermostat. If it isn’t a battery problem, and the thermostat is on but your AC is not turning on, check the circuit breaker. If it has been tripped, reset it and you should be good to go.

Air is flowing but your air conditioner is not blowing cold air. This is another rather common issue. You might notice the AC running but you can’t feel any air coming out of the vents. Or maybe you feel some air flow, but it isn’t all that cool. This is usually an easy fix – assuming it is a tripped circuit breaker. However, it could also be a worn blower belt or low refrigerant levels. Dirty air filters could also prevent the flow of cold air. Changing your filters monthly is recommended.

Brightly coloured stains around your AC unit is a telltale sign of a problem. And while it’s expected to see some condensation build up outside the air conditioner, excessive moisture could be a sign of a water leak. Low refrigerant levels can cause serious damage to your AC’s compressor – and this isn’t a cheap fix. This is an issue that should be addressed immediately. Refrigerant leaks can create low efficiency, high power consumption, coil freezing, damage to the compressor, and uneven cooling.

A faulty thermostat or loose wiring could be the reason for this air conditioning problem. ThermEnergy’s experts will be happy to safely get things back in working order.

If ice is building up around the AC coil, it’s because the system is working too hard to cool your home. While it is expected to air conditioners to work harder in hotter weather, it is not typical for coils to freeze. Blocked vents and ducts, dirty filters, or faulty fans can all contribute to this cause. Clean air filters are vital for optimizing your AC’s performance.

Is your breaker tripping every time your air conditioner turns on? Poor installation of your AC could be the reason. It is important to trust the install with a certified HVAC contractor.

A few smells that you won’t want to notice coming from your air conditioner are burning and must. These odours might be coming from the vents or when you’re near the main AC unit. Electrical odours are typically the result of a motor with poor wiring. If you are noticing a burnering smell, this might be due to dirty air filters. While musty mildew smells are generally associated with insufficient drainage.

If you notice a burning smell turn off your AC immediately. If your air filters are especially dirty considering replacing them with new ones. Regular cleaning of your home’s ducts and air conditioning is a great way to ensure that it operators properly.

It is always panic inducing when you hear a noise that you haven’t heard before – and this is especially true when it comes to your air conditioner. Weird vibrations, squealing noises, or grinding are all signs of significant issues that need to be dealt with immediately.

Squealing noises are generally due to a worn or poorly aligned belt. Grinding noises, which are especially horrible for air conditioning units, are signs of motor bearing problems.

Maybe your AC is running but not cooling, or perhaps your AC is not working at all. Regardless of what you’re dealing with, your air conditioning unit is a vital feature of your home and plays a huge role in providing comfort for your family. When you run into an AC problem, contact the professionals at ThermEnergy.