AC Not Working Right? Troubleshooting Guide You Need

An Essential AC Troubleshooting Guide for Comfortable Home

Summers in Edmonton, Alberta, regularly see temperatures in the mid-20s. If your AC isn’t working, your home might feel incredibly stuffy and uncomfortable. Fresh Homes Cooling & Heating wants to help you maintain the performance of your HVAC system and make sure your air conditioner works properly all summer long. Keep reading for our air conditioner troubleshooting guide, or call us to schedule professional AC repair in Edmonton, Alberta, and the surrounding areas.

Common Home AC Problems & Troubleshooting Tips

We can handle major and minor AC problems. The first thing we’ll do when you call is ask you questions to try to determine what’s wrong with your AC. Here are some of the most common problems we encounter, and our tips for troubleshooting them:

● Restricted Airflow – Restricted airflow means that the air coming out of your vents is weak. Your home will not cool properly, and you’ll notice it getting gradually warmer and warmer throughout the day. Restricted airflow can be caused by dirty filters, blocked or damaged air ducts, leaks in the ducts, a poorly designed or installed system, or an obstruction on your outdoor unit or at your interior ducts or vents.

● Hot Spots – Hot spots, or areas of your home that are warmer than others, can make it hard to feel comfortable. They can be caused by dirty filters or evaporator coils, a thermostat or AC installed in a warm, sunny area, or gaps or cracks in doors or windows that allow warm air to leak in.

● Power Problems – If your AC won’t turn on or is constantly turning on and off, your home won’t stay at a consistent, comfortable temperature. Power issues could be caused by thermostat problems, electrical or circuit breaker issues, condenser damage, dirty air filters or condenser coils, a thermostat that is improperly installed or installed in the wrong place, a frozen evaporator coil, low refrigerant levels, or a unit that isn’t the proper size for your property.

● Strange Noises or Smells – Strange noises like whooshing, clicking, banging, or squeaking could indicate a problem with one of the AC components. There may be loose or damaged parts or something blocking the internal mechanisms. If your AC is shaking or vibrating, it could be due to a fan, motor, or compressor problem. Strange smells could be caused by a leak, mold, insect or animal activity, an overflowing drain pan, a frozen evaporator coil, moisture in the air ducts, a blocked condensate line, or electrical issues.

● Inadequate Cooling or No Airflow – If your home simply isn’t ever getting cool enough, it could be that your unit isn’t the right size for your home. You may need to replace it with a larger, more modern, or more efficient model. Inadequate cooling or no air coming from your vents could be caused by dirty filters, overheating, icing, dirty or frozen evaporator coils, and thermostat issues.

● Overheating or Icing – Overheating or icing can lead to restricted or no air flow and rapidly increasing indoor temperatures. This could be due to a lack of maintenance, dirty filters or evaporator coils, an HVAC unit installed outside or in a closet, or an obstruction blocking the unit or vents.

● Thermostat Problems – If the number on your thermostat doesn’t seem to match the actual temperature inside your home, your thermostat might be malfunctioning. This could be due to low batteries, electrical issues, improper installation, old age, or poor thermostat placement.

What Causes an AC to Stop Working?

There are many things that can cause an AC to stop working. That is why it’s best to hire a professional technician for HVAC services. Some of the most common problems are:

●       Thermostat issues

●       Dirty filters

●       Frozen or dirty evaporator coils

●       Lack of maintenance

●       Electrical problems or a tripped circuit breaker

●       Low refrigerant

●       Clogged condensate drain

●       Fault capacitor, compressor, or fan motor

What to Do When Your AC Stops Working

The first thing that you should do if your air conditioning unit is not working is check the thermostat. If the screen is blank or the temperature reading seems off, check the batteries or follow the troubleshooting tips in the thermostat manual. If that isn’t the problem, check the circuit breaker for your home to see if it’s tripped. Next, check the filters and evaporator coils. If you see ice, change the filter and run the AC on the fan setting only until the ice has melted. If none of these fixes work, you should call an HVAC technician.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

You can significantly reduce the risk of AC problems by committing to regular, preventive HVAC maintenance. Sign up for an HVAC maintenance plan with your heating and cooling company. A technician will visit your home seasonally to inspect your system, clean and lubricate parts, change filters, and make sure there are no problems. This can prevent unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs, as well as extend the lifespan of your system and improve its efficiency and performance.

Call a Professional for AC Repair

We recommend that you call a professional for repair if your AC isn’t working properly, your home is hot or uncomfortable, you hear strange noises or smell strange odors, or see other signs of an AC problem. Fresh Homes Cooling & Heating offers professional AC services throughout Edmonton, Alberta, and the surrounding areas. We specialize in preventive maintenance, AC inspections and troubleshooting, repairs, replacement parts, and installing new systems. We have experience in all types of systems, including window units, ductless systems, and HVAC systems. Call us now or contact us online to schedule an appointment.