Top Causes of Air Conditioner Problems and How to Prevent Them

Statistics show that the majority of US homes have an air conditioning system. These appliances need regular maintenance to ensure they run properly.

Timely replacement of air filters and regular clean-up of outdoor and indoor units should prevent more severe problems. However, some users still encounter issues that are beyond what they can fix on their own.

Here are the top causes of AC problems and the preventive measures to take.

Fan problems

An AC unit has two fans—one on the evaporator coil and the other on the AC’s condenser.

The former directs air onto the coil to cool it, and the latter directs air onto the condenser to blow the accumulated heat out. Both fans can malfunction for several reasons. In some cases, the fan’s motor may break. But the problems usually arise from worn-out drive belts, insufficient lubrication, or accumulation of dirt and debris.

A lot of users don’t feel comfortable with changing drive belts or fan motors. Even if it’s just dirt and debris, it would be best to have an expert clean the fan and fix the issue. The best preventive measures include regular clean-ups.

It’s also advisable to check the fans for strange noises from time to time, as these are among the first signs of malfunction.

Outdoor and indoor leaks

When owners spot leaks around the indoor unit, it’s usually an indicator that maintenance was needed months ago. One of the reasons for these leaks could be the accumulation of fungi and algae. These build up in the drains and cause a blockage. Consequently, the water starts going back through the pipe and onto the walls.

However, with outdoor leaks, the root cause might be more complicated. For example, puddles around the outdoor unit may suggest subpar AC installation or poor sealing. It could also be the air filter or the condensate pan.

Proper installation and maintenance are the best prevention, but it also pays to understand how to repair indoor leaks. Outdoor leaks often require professional attention.

With an indoor leak, pouring about 6oz of white vinegar into the drain should do the trick. The vinegar’s acidity should kill algae and fungi and clear the blockage. 

It’s vital to know where the drain pipe is, so it’s best to check the user manual for its exact location.

Freon leaks

Freon is a non-flammable stable gas that does the cooling within an AC system. In other words, it’s the AC’s refrigerant.

Even though freon has low toxicity, leaks may harm the surrounding environment, so it’s essential to address them as soon as possible.

There are several ways to spot a leak, and the DIY method is using bubble soap. Other methods include dye, nitrogen, and electronic leak detection. However, these are usually employed by professionals.

Depending on the type and the severity of a leak, topping-up the freon and performing minor patching may help. While doing this, it’s vital to recharge the AC with the right amount of freon; otherwise, the unit will underperform.

On the other hand, some refrigerant leaks point to a major fault in the AC’s pipes. If this is the case, an AC becomes significantly less efficient or doesn’t work at all. The solution is to change the pipes and recharge the refrigerant afterward.

Cool breeze around the house

In various US regions, it’s tough to live without an AC in the summer season. Due to this, consider testing your AC unit about a month before the season starts to gauge if it needs attention.

To that end, cleaning or replacing the AC filter is a must because the accumulated dirt can impair the unit’s performance, even if everything else is functional.

Guest Contributor: Richa Khandelwal