Air conditioners contain hundreds of hard-working parts, yet most breakdowns are related to a handful of simple AC problems, including clogged HVAC filters. If your air conditioner is blowing hot air or if it won’t run at all, here are a few troubleshooting tricks to try before calling your AC repair company in Quincy, Illinois.
Common Air Conditioning Problems
Experience shows that nearly all service calls can be traced back to electrical faults, mechanical malfunctions or airflow issues. Typically, this means that your air conditioner won’t start, isn’t receiving power or is moving the air without cooling.
- Airflow: Reduced output is generally caused by clogged HVAC filters, blocked vents or damaged ducts. Airflow problems may lead to ice buildup and overheating.
- Low Refrigerant: Improper refrigerant levels also create problems with frosty coils. In some cases, leaks may prevent the system from running altogether due to automatic safety features.
- Electrical: If your air conditioner won’t start, there’s a good chance that the unit isn’t receiving power due to a faulty thermostat or loose connection. Resetting the breaker may isolate the issue.
- Condensation: Air conditioners remove gallons of humidity every day. If the outlet drain clogs, water might back up indoors. Fortunately, flushing the condensation pipe can prevent this problem.
Tips for Preventing AC Problems
Knowing what to do when a breakdown happens is helpful, but avoiding problems is even better. For increased reliability and efficiency, try these simple tips.
- Replace your HVAC filters monthly.
- Have your air conditioner serviced once each season.
- Trim shrubs growing near the HVAC compressor as needed.
- Hose down the coil fins when the unit isn’t running.
- Install a new thermostat battery every year, if it uses a battery.
After a power interruption or breaker reset, give your air conditioner a few minutes to start. Most systems have an automatic 5-minute delay. If you’re still having AC problems, call Air Specialists Heating & Air Conditioning at (217) 280-4125, or read more about our maintenance services online.
