If you’re like most homeowners, you have a home cooling system that your family relies on to stay comfortable throughout the hot summer season. When your system is working great, you likely don’t give it much thought. However, problems may arise over its lifetime. We’re going to discuss some of these common issues so that you’ll be better prepared when they arise.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
One of the most common issues that you may experience with your air conditioning system is a frozen evaporator coil. As moisture is drawn out of the air as part of the cooling process, it lands on the evaporator coil. When that coil gets too cold, it can freeze up. Your coil can freeze due to a number of different issues. These include restricted airflow, low refrigerant level, and a cold outside temperature. Turn your system off to allow the coils to thaw out while you have an HVAC professional determine the root cause of the freezing.
Dirty Air Filter
Your air conditioning system has an air filter that works to trap unwanted airborne particles. As this filter works, it will fill up with debris and make it more difficult for your cooling system to push air through it. It will be obvious that your cooling system simply isn’t cooling like it used to. We recommend checking your air filter once a month to avoid running your system with a dirty filter.
Refrigerant Leak
At the very heart of your cooling system is its refrigerant. This substance works to extract heat from inside your home and transports it to your outdoor unit, where it’s pushed out into the outdoor air. When your refrigerant lines develop leaks, even just pinhole leaks, they can allow the refrigerant to escape. When your AC system is low on refrigerant, it’s going to have a hard time adequately cooling your home. You’ll need to have an HVAC technician check for leaks, seal them, and recharge your refrigerant level to get your air conditioning system back up and working properly.
Damaged Compressor
At the center of your outdoor AC unit is its compressor. This part is responsible for compressing refrigerant vapor to remove its heat. This way, the heat can be dispersed outside, and your refrigerant can cycle back inside to remove more heat. When your AC compressor becomes damaged, your cooling system will no longer be able to remove the heat from your home. A compressor can become damaged due to a number of situations, including too much refrigerant, too little refrigerant, lack of lubrication, and dirty coils.
Plugged Drain
As your cooling system runs, it will naturally work to remove excess humidity from your air. This water will drip from the evaporator coil into the drain pan. Then, it will flow down the drain line to the outdoors. Over time, dirt and debris can get stuck in your drain pan. As it fills up with water, this debris can cause a clog in the drain pan or in the drain line. This will result in water backing up in your cooling system and will leave you with an unwanted puddle at your indoor air handler unit.
Not Turning On
If your thermostat physically isn’t turning on, it may simply need replacement batteries. In some cases, your thermostat screen may be on and actively reading the temperature. But no matter how far you turn down the temperature setting, your cooling system just won’t kick on. Take a look to see which mode your thermostat is set to. If it’s right at the beginning of summer, you may still have it in heating mode instead of cooling mode.
Capacitor Failure
Your air conditioner’s capacitor is responsible for giving your unit’s motor a big initial push to get started. When the capacitor fails, your air conditioning system will turn on and off abruptly. You’ll hear a distinctive clicking sound. A capacitor failure can be due to constant thermostat changes, power fluctuations, and extreme overworking. You’ll need to have an HVAC technician replace your system’s capacitor to get your cooling system to work.
Dirty Coils
Your air conditioning unit has two sets of coils, which are evaporator and condenser coils. The evaporator coils are located inside your indoor air handler unit. The condenser coils are located in the outside AC unit. Both of these coils are filled with refrigerant and are responsible for moving heat from the refrigerant to the air. When the coils are dirty, it’s much harder for the refrigerant inside them to transfer heat through them. This will result in an inefficient air conditioning system that constantly runs without keeping up with your cooling needs. You will need to have your coils cleaned with a specialized cleaner.
Screeching Noise
One noise that can be very alarming when it comes from your air conditioning system is a screeching noise. If this noise happens right as you turn your unit on and then goes away, it’s an indicator that your compressor needs to undergo repair. However, if the screeching noise remains constant while your AC unit is running, then you have an issue with your fan in the outdoor unit. The fan belt or motor itself may need to be replaced by an HVAC technician.
Leaking Ductwork
One thing that every homeowner wants to avoid is wasting money on cooling bills. Unfortunately, if you have leaks and gaps in your ducting, a lot of your precious cold air could be escaping into your floor and wall cavities. You’ll find that you have to run your cooling system much longer to get your home as cool as you want it to be. To solve this issue, you’ll need to have a professional seal up your ducting to stop your cold air from leaking out.
Bad Relay Switch
While you may have never thought of your AC system running being a bad thing, it can be when it won’t shut off. This can happen when the relay switch gets stuck and breaks. This switch will allow power to constantly flow to your condenser unit and won’t let it shut off.
Bad Odors
One problem that you really don’t want to experience is bad odors coming from your cooling system. The overall scent of the bad odor will help to determine the problem with your unit. If you smell burning wires, your system is overworking and causing wires to burn. Shutting off your AC system and seeking professional help is an absolute must. If you have a musty smell, it could indicate mold or mildew growing in your ductwork. Getting your ducting cleaned by a professional will help to remove this buildup before it affects your family’s health.
Expert Cooling Service
Modern Heating and Plumbing offers expert cooling service for Gurnee, IL and the surrounding areas. Our helpful technicians can assist with all of your heating, plumbing, ductless mini-split, RTU system, and indoor air quality needs.
Call Modern Heating and Plumbing today to schedule your next HVAC appointment.
