Do you know what to look for if your AC unit breaks? With average US summer temperatures reaching up to 81.1 °F, our AC units are vital for keeping us comfortable. But as they’re often out of sight and out of mind, it can be hard to know what to spot when there’s an issue.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for 7 reasons for a busted air conditioner and what you can do about it.
- The Compressor Failed
The most important part of an AC unit is the compressor. They increase the refrigerants’ pressure that is set inside the condenser coils. This causes refrigerants that are gases at room temperature, to take a liquid form. As the refrigerant absorbs heat, it turns back into a gas, which is how they cool your home. If the compressor fails, the refrigerant isn’t compressed as much. This reduces the cooling ability of your AC unit.
In these cases, don’t try to fix a compressor yourself as you could injure yourself. You could also cause further damage to the rest of your unit. Instead, call in a qualified AC technician to carry out the repairs.
- Your Air Filter Needs Replacing
The furnace’s air handler pushes air from your AC into each room. But this air first has to travel through an air filter in the furnace. The filter traps any particles, dirt, and dust to make sure the air is pure and clean when it’s expelled. Over time, the filter can clog with all this dirt and debris. The more it clogs, the less air can pass through it. It also decreases the quality of the air that does make it through.
To avoid this, change your filters as advised in your manufacturer’s manual. If your AC unit uses reusable filters, all it takes is a little soap and water to clean it. If it’s one use only, you need to replace it completely.
You should check your filters every 30 days to make sure they’re in top condition.
- Your Unit Short Cycles
Short cycling is where your AC unit continues to start-stop every few minutes. A few things could cause this. It could be something simple like a dirty filter or refrigerant leak. Or it could be a structural issue with thermostat placement or having a unit that’s too big for your home.
So, to diagnose the issue, start with cleaning your filter. In fact, this is a good place to start for most AC issues. Next look to see if there is a refrigerant leak. If you’ve run through this and still can’t figure it out, you need ac repair. It’s best to call in a technician to find out the cause.
- Your Blower Motor Won’t Turn On
One day, you might go to turn your AC on and it won’t start. No matter what you try, you can’t get the blower motor to fire up. This could be because of a tripped breaker, so make sure you check your breaker panels first. If it’s half tripped, turn it all the way off then back on again. If it keeps tripped when you reset it and try to turn the AC on again, you might need to replace the breaker.
The overflow shut-off switch might have caused this. A clogged drain line might have triggered the switch which shut down your AC unit. Or, the switch itself has broken.
If those things aren’t the problem, it’s likely damaged wiring. You’ll need to call in a professional to check your wiring over. Unless you know what to do, it isn’t worth trying to fix yourself.
- The Thermostat Has Broken
Your thermostat detects the ambient air temperature. It also controls the compressor to regulate your cooling cycle. Without accurate readings, then the difference between hot and cold temperatures will fade.
Your AC unit won’t know what to do and it will shut down. Thermostats are complex devices, which makes it difficult to repair. They’re easy to break if you don’t know how to handle and install them. So, this is another situation where it’s better to call in the professionals.
- Your AC Unit is Weak
You might notice your AC unit is not as strong as it was before. It might be taking a while to cool your home down, or it might not be cooling it enough. It might be that there is a blockage in your air conditioner. There are two parts to an AC system: the inside unit and the outside unit. They work together to cool your home. But to be efficient, your outside unit needs unrestricted airflow.
If you suspect a blockage, check the outside unit. You might only need to sweep some dirt away. Check that any vegetation is not encroaching on the unit either.
If you do this and there aren’t improvements, you should have your system checked over. Your system might be at the end of its lifespan and need replacing. Or it’s a more serious technical fault.
- Your AC Unit is Poorly Sized
As technology advances, AC units are getting more and more efficient. If you’re not using new, up-to-date information, you may end up with an AC unit that’s too big/small for your needs.
When this happens, your AC can’t work as it should and one of two things happens:
- A unit that’s too small will have to run non-stop and it’s unlikely to get your desired temperature. It means it takes longer to cool the home, wears the unit out faster, and will send your bills through the roof.
- A unit that’s too big will short-cycle. The air might feel cool, but it won’t keep a consistent temperature.
If you have any of these issues, the only way to fix it is to replace the entire AC unit. Look for a high-quality professional who will inspect, measure, and make sure you get the size you need.
Don’t Let a Busted Air Conditioner Get You Down
So, there you have it! Now you know what to look out for in a busted air conditioner. Whenever you find a problem, follow our maintenance guidelines. But if your fixes don’t get your system back up and running, make sure you call a professional. A malfunctioning unit can become more expensive, and dangerous, with time.
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