Common Air Conditioning Problems

One of the most prevalent air conditioning problems that arise is improper operation. If your air conditioner is turned on, isolate the room from the rest of the house to ensure that you are using the air conditioner efficiently.

Problems with existing air conditioners often result from poor installation, poor service procedures and inadequate maintenance. Improper installation of a central air conditioner can result in leaky ducts and low airflow. Quite often the refrigerant charge is not congruent with the manufacturer’s specifications. If proper refrigerant charging is not performed during installation, the performance and efficiency of the unit is impaired and this is likely to cause damage.

Refrigerant Leaks

If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, either it was undercharged at installation or it is leaking. A technician should fix any leak, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant. The performance of your air conditioner is maximized when the refrigerant charge is neither undercharged nor overcharged.

Electric Control Failure

The compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner is turned on and off frequently. Because corrosion of wire and terminals is common in many systems, electrical connections should be checked on a regular basis.

Sensor Problems

Room air conditioners contain a thermostat sensor, located behind the control panel, which measures the temperature of air coming into the evaporative coil. If the sensor is knocked out of position, the air conditioner could cycle constantly or behave erratically. If you notice that the sensor is out of place, adjust its position by carefully bending the wire that holds it in place.