Troubleshooting 8 Common Air Conditioner Problems Poor maintenance can result in an air conditioner that performs poorly Of course it’s on the hottest days that you notice your air conditioner is struggling. And it’s not always the fault of the equipment. A poorly maintained system can perform poorly, failing to keep you cool while costing you more to run. Here are some reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working as well as it used to. Your filter is dirty. If you haven’t cleaned the filter in your room air conditioner recently, do it now. Filters on central AC units should be changed at least once a month, especially if your system is running constantly or you have pets.If so, reseal around your unit with pieces of weatherstripping. TV is too close to the AC. Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near the thermostat that controls your central air or near your window unit. Registers are dirty or blocked. If you have a forced air heating and cooling system, regularly vacuum the registers to remove any dust buildup.

Make sure that furniture and other objects are not blocking the airflow through your registers. Thermostat is on the wrong setting. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure you programmed it so your home is at a comfortable temperature when you’re there and a bit higher when you’re not. And keep in mind that for every degree you raise the temperature, you’ll save 3 percent on your air conditioning costs. Window units, of course, don’t offer the whole-house control of a central system. If you’re depending on one window unit to cool a large space you’ll have to experiment with the thermostat setting as the temperature will vary depending on where you are in the room. It’s too sunny inside. If your room AC unit is in a sunny window, it’ll have to work harder to cool your space. Likewise, if the thermostat for your central system is in a sunny spot, it will register the wrong temperature. Your best bet is to keep your shades and curtains drawn all day during the heat of the summer.

Plants are crowding the compressor. The outdoor compressor for central air needs adequate airflow to work correctly, so make sure there’s at least 2 to 3 feet of space between the unit and any plants or structures. There should also be 5 feet of clearance between the top of the unit and any trees above. You forgot an annual checkup. An inspection by an HVAC technician can catch any serious problems before they get worse and leave you hot and bothered at the peak of summer. The technician will check all the moving parts as well as the refrigerant and recharge the system if necessary. Need a New AC? If your room air conditioner has given up the ghost, you can find one that did well in our tests for as little as $125 for a small unit and as much as $360 for a large one. Small (5,000 to 6,500 Btu/hr.) GE AEM05LV, $170 (CR Best Buy), LG LW6016R, $175, Frigidaire FFRA0511R1, $125. Medium (7,000 to 8,500 Btu/hr.) LG LW8015ER, $270, GE AEW08LV, $250, GE AEZ08LV, $210.

Large (9,800 to 12,500 Btu/hr.) LG LW1216ER, $350 (CR Best Buy), LG LW1215ER, $360, Haier HWE12XCR, $310. The stores are still stocked with room units but getting a central air system at this time of year may be trickier as the installers tend to be busy. But you can check out the most reliable central air systems according to our subscribers. Current Air conditioner ratingsRecharging Air Conditioners – Straight from an HVAC Specialisthow large ac unit The cooling season is ramping up quickly here in Madison. how much power does ac unit useWe’re looking at temperatures in the 90’s this weekend. ac window unit not turning onAs our customers in Madison are turning on their AC Units, they’re discovering problems they didn’t know existed.

The most common question we’ve had is about recharging AC unit Freon. We wanted to address it and explain our thoughts on recharging and exactly when it makes sense or doesn’t. We all know that any air conditioner or furnace can fail at any time without warning. We live in a climate where we alternate hibernating and operating our mechanicals as we switch between heating and cooling seasons. Because we’ve come to depend on these units for comfort in our homes and businesses, we know all too well how that comfort can be compromised quickly when our mechanicals aren’t functioning properly. AC Maintenance and Repairs Many issues with air conditioners are a result of insufficient maintenance. The easiest repair is one that’s avoided altogether by keeping up on regular maintenance check-ups. In fact, if you haven’t been consistently maintaining your unit and notice your air conditioner starting to slack, a maintenance check-up may be just what you need to get your air conditioner back up to speed. 

Below are some ways you can diagnose air conditioning problems, descriptions of some common problems your air conditioning system may experience, and some special issues you should know about the refrigerant (Freon) in your system. Check fuse box or circuit breaker – First thing to do if your air conditioner is not functioning properly is to check the fuse box or circuit breaker that services the unit.  Air conditioner turns on and off frequently – The compressor and fan controls may be worn out. Unit turning on but not cooling – If your unit is turning on, but the air isn’t cooling efficiently, your refrigerant may be low.  You may also need to clean off the evaporator or condenser coils by brushing them off or vacuuming them. In addition, the filter may need to be replaced. Insufficient Air Flow – Dirty air filters and/or closed or obstructed supply-air and return-air grilles may cause insufficient airflow through your system. Leaks – These are usually associated with low refrigerant or a clogged drain pipe.

Clogs can be fixed by clearing out the clogged pipe within the evaporator coil pan. Leaks should always be handled by a professional HVAC Contractor. Refrigerant Leaks –  If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, either it was undercharged at installation or it leaks. If it leaks, simply adding refrigerant is not a solution. A trained AC technician should fix any leak, test the repair and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant  Remember that the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner is greatest when the refrigerant charge exactly matches the manufacturer’s specification, and is neither undercharged nor overcharged. Inadequate Maintenance –  If you allow filters and air conditioning coils to become dirty, the air conditioner will not work properly, and the compressor or fans are likely to fail prematurely. Electronic Controls and Sensors Failure –  The electronic controls and sensor that cause your air conditioner, fan and condenser to kick off and on properly are often the first components to go. 

Fan and Condenser Failure – Fan and condenser failure, on the other hand, can add up to some pretty pricey repairs. Replacing burnt-out fan motors is usually worth the expense in order to get your air conditioner up and running again, though a failed condenser can be a different story. Special Note About Air Conditioner Refrigerant (Freon): Contrary to popular belief, air conditioners do not consume refrigerant (Freon) as a car consumes oil, so under ideal conditions it would never need changing or filling. Therefore, a low Freon level indicates a leak which should be repaired before adding more. Problems with Freon leaks: Low Freon levels reduce efficiency of the air conditioner. The heart of the unit is the compressor, which is cooled by the refrigerant. Over time, low Freon levels can cause overheating and premature failure of the compressor, often requiring complete replacement of the compressor or the entire condensing unit. Always contact a HVAC professional when dealing with refrigerant (Freon).