Addressing Common Air Conditioning Problems
Nowadays, air conditioning units are necessary to keep your Sylvan Lake, MI, home comfortable throughout the hotter weather.
Our lives can be difficult if our air conditioners don’t work correctly. It is essential to make sure your air conditioner is in good condition through regular upkeep, as repairs can be costly.
It is always a good idea to be aware of some of the most common problems with your air conditioner because, like all electric appliances, air conditioners need a proper tune-up to make them function the best.
It is essential to opt for the right company, such as Zilka Heating and Cooling, which will help you detect the problem with your air conditioner and provide the best solution immediately.
In this article, we will discuss the common air conditioning problems for your knowledge so that you can find the problem in yours.
Common Air Conditioning Problems in Michigan
- Water leakage (indoor):
If the water leaks from your indoor air conditioner unit, it must be fixed. Water leakage from an air conditioner might be due to the system’s clogged condensate drain.
Algae or fungi are often produced, causing the water to back up in the pipe and into your room. Another possible reason for this problem could be that your condensate pump may have broken down entirely and needs urgent replacement. - AC refrigerant leak
AC refrigerant, or freon, is the substance through which an AC cools your Sylvan Lake home and the air within your air conditioning system.
A refrigerant leak is one of the common reasons your AC is not working correctly. It can also disturb your air conditioner’s efficiency. Leakage can also be harmful to your health and environment.
Refrigerant leaks can happen as connections degrade, physical damage to the AC unit, or severe vibrations weaken refrigerant lines. When the coolant starts leaking in the AC unit, the unit will not perform correctly, and the temperature will fluctuate. - Dirty filters
Filters in the air conditioners play a significant role in keeping the airflow pure and free from dust particles and pollutants. AC filters get choked as dust particles are trapped in the unit’s filter and not cleaned for longer. These clogged air filters restrict the airflow, decreasing the air conditioner’s efficiency.
One should follow the manufacturer’s suggestions on how often to change the air filter after the desired time. - Damaged Compressor
The compressor is one of the most integral components of the air conditioning unit, and it aids refrigerants in carrying out heat exchange and regulating AC pressure. Compressor failure results from dirty coils, changes in refrigerant levels, and lack of lubrication of the coils because if there’s insufficient refrigerant, the compressor will become hot and eventually seize. On the other hand, the excess refrigerant will increase the unit’s pressure, leading to failure. - Thermostat malfunction
The thermostat is a component in air conditioners that controls temperature changes. Again, thermostat malfunctioning is one of the common problems with air conditioners. If your space feels warmer than usual and the AC is short-cycling, a faulty thermostat is the reason.
Dust, corrosion build-up, dead batteries, loose screws or wires inside the thermostat, sunlight exposure, and incorrect calibration are some of the key issues which affect the functioning of the thermostat. - Capacitor failure
Capacitors are necessary for air conditioners to work efficiently because motors that power the compressor and fans won’t work without capacitors. When your AC turns on and off abruptly, followed by a clicking sound, it shows a capacitor issue.
The capacitor can be overheated when the AC has to work 24/7 in extreme weather. Power fluctuations and frequent changes in the thermostat’s setting can damage the capacitor. - The circuit breaker keeps tripping
Breakers and fuses protect the air conditioner’s motor and compressor from overheating. If the breaker repeatedly keeps tripping, it can be due to the surge in power supply, capacitor or compressor failure, dirty filters or coils, low refrigerant levels, and issues with the circuit breaker itself.
Once you see this problem, turn the AC off and seek help from Zilka Heating and Cooling. Don’t try to reset the breaker yourself, as this can cause sudden fire. - Frozen evaporator coils
Frozen evaporator coils are again one of the common problems with air conditioners. These evaporator coils absorb heat from the air and reverse it back into the room as cold air through a series of ducts. The problem occurs when your AC unit does not receive enough air to function due to dirt build-up around the coils.
The deposited dust on the coils slows the airflow, so the warm air does not reach the refrigerant, which makes the refrigerant too cold and causes moisture on the coils to freeze. The ice-covered coils prevent the refrigerant in the coil from absorbing latent heat.
This problem disrupts the smooth working of the air conditioning unit in your Sylvan Lake home. These coils typically require maintenance more or less every three years. - Noises from the AC
Loud and strange noises from the AC unit signal an alarming underlying issue. Different noises signal different issues. If you notice a grinding sound, the compressor or motor is at fault, but if you hear a clicking sound, then there is an obstruction in the AC fan or capacitor, while a refrigerant leak will produce a bubbling sound.
So, it is advisable to pay attention to the unusual sounds and reach the base of the problem as soon as possible. - Bad smell
Like the sounds, observing the bad smell produced by the AC is also a point to notice. If it makes a pungent smell, mold growth in the unit might be the reason, while if there is a fire-like smell, burning of the electrical component inside the unit is suspected.
Schedule an AC Tune-Up and Inspection Today
Air conditioning systems are complex electronic machines that require regular maintenance to function efficiently. Several problems arise when we need to pay more attention to the regular care of the systems.
Some of the most common problems regarding AC units are addressed above, which interfere with the proper functioning of the air conditioners. So, getting your air conditioner professionally maintained by Zilka Heating and Cooling is recommended to make yourself trouble-free. Call us today at (248) 462-6959 or request service online.
