7 Air Conditioner Problems Homeowners May Experience

Do the summer weather and rising temperatures make you worry about your home’s air conditioning system? When you run it for hours on end every day, it’s normal to want to keep the unit in great shape.

As long as you stay on top of maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your HVAC system running well for up to 15 years. But where do you start and how can you tell when your system needs a little TLC? You need to know what to watch for.

Here are a few of the most common air conditioner problems that you’ll want to fix as soon as you notice them.

1. The Unit Won’t Turn On

If your air conditioner won’t turn on when the temps rise in your home, the first thing you should do is check the thermostat. Many modern thermostats run on batteries that will eventually run out of charge. If the thermostat is off and won’t turn back on when you make an adjustment, try replacing the batteries.

If the thermostat still has power but isn’t turning on when you adjust the temperature, you’ll want to call your air conditioning repair technician.

2. The Unit Won’t Turn Off

When your air conditioner runs constantly, it puts a lot of wear and tear on the system. The more wear and tear it experiences, the more likely it is that the unit will break down.

If your unit won’t turn off, check your thermostat and make sure the temperature setting hasn’t changed. It’s possible that the thermostat glitched or a member of your household accidentally adjusted the temperature too low.

However, if the thermostat is still set at your preferred temperature, try turning the system off. If the fan continues to run, get a professional to inspect your unit. They’ll be able to identify the true cause of your home’s air conditioner issues and make any necessary repairs.

3. Rooms Are Staying Too Warm

You expect your air conditioning system to keep your home at your preferred temperature all day long. However, if your home is staying consistently too warm, you’ll want to identify the problem as quickly as possible.

First, check your thermostat and make sure the settings haven’t changed. Then, walk around your home and make sure all vents are free and clear of any obstructions. Often, vents will get blocked by furniture, toys, clothing, and even dust.

If you notice anything blocking the vents, move those items away and see if your home starts to cool down. If it does, great! If it doesn’t, schedule an inspection with a licensed HVAC repair technician.

4. There’s Weak Air Flow Through the Vents

All air conditioning systems bring air from outside the home into your home. It’s how they make sure your indoor air quality stays fresh. However, that outside air isn’t always clean.

Your system can suck in dirt, debris, pollen, and other contaminants.

The filters in your system catch most of that debris and keep it from circulating throughout the house. Over time, it’s normal for the dust and debris to clog the filters, resulting in weak or low airflow through your vents. Often, replacing the filters will be all you need to do to fix your air conditioner’s issues.

5. You Hear Weird Noises When the AC Turns On

Your HVAC system will make noise when it turns on, but those noises should be consistent. If you start hearing strange bangs, knocking sounds, or grinding noises when your air conditioner turns on, it’s cause for alarm.

Those noises often happen when components in your system are damaged. The longer you let those noises persist, the more severe the damage to the unit is likely to get.

Call your repair technician and let them know what you’re hearing as soon as you can.

6. There’s a Bad Smell Throughout Your Home

One of the most common AC issues that homeowners experience is strange smells coming from the vents anytime the system turns on. Those smells can be caused by damaged fan motors, moisture buildup in the walls, mold growth, or mildew in the air ducts.

Get in the habit of paying attention to the way your home smells when your air conditioner turns on. If you smell something off-putting, contact your HVAC repair technician as soon as possible.

These issues aren’t things you can repair on your own. You’ll need an experienced professional to identify the root cause of the problem and make repairs to keep your home smelling fresh.

7. The Unit Keeps Tripping Breakers

Home air conditioners come in different sizes and the right size system depends on the square footage of your home. The larger your home is, the bigger the air conditioner you’ll need. This leads many homeowners to assume that installing a larger air conditioning system will cool the home faster and more effectively.

Unfortunately, it tends to have the opposite effect.

Larger units will struggle to adequately cool homes that are too small and can draw more power than your home’s electrical system is rated for. If your air conditioner keeps tripping breakers, you’ll likely need to replace the unit with a smaller system that’s more appropriate for your home’s footprint.

Installing new air conditioner units is something you should always leave to the pros. If you think you need a new unit, contact your HVAC technician, and get a quote as soon as possible.

Watch For These Common Air Conditioner Problems

These are just a few of the most common air conditioner problems that homeowners will experience at some point. As long as you review this list and know what to watch for, you’ll be able to keep your air conditioning system working well for years to come.

Remember that maintaining your home’s HVAC system isn’t the only major appliance that will need routine maintenance over the years.

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