Air conditioners are a necessity in every Filipino home, as they can cool a room or space and make it more comfortable for the occupants. Whether you have split type air conditioners or window-type air conditioners, their continuous usage and improper maintenance can lead to common problems that every homeowner should know about. Having basic knowledge to troubleshoot simple issues can save you from having to wait for a technician to be available and spending a lot on repairs. Here are six common issues you might encounter while using your air conditioning unit:
Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling
When your air conditioner is not blowing cold air, one of the reasons could be a dirty or blocked air filter. Air filters trap hair, dirt, and other pollutants in the air that flows into and out of your air conditioner. If the air filter is clogged, the collected particles block the cool air so that it gets trapped inside the unit instead of circulating into the room.
Prevent this by cleaning or changing your air filter every three months. If you have pets, you’ll have to clean or change the filter more frequently.
Your Air Conditioner’s Evaporator Coil Is Frozen
Frozen evaporator coils can cause your air conditioner to blow out warm air when it should be cooling. To check if your air conditioner has frozen coils, open the cover of your split or window-type air conditioning unit and look for ice or condensation outside the refrigerant line or on the coils themselves.
Disruption of airflow is the main reason your evaporator coils freeze. This happens when you have blocked air vents or ducts, dirty or clogged air filters, dirty coils, a clogged drain line, or a refrigerant leak. Regular maintenance or clean-up can help you avoid this problem.
Your Air Conditioner Is Making a Strange Sound
Newer models of air conditioners are often quiet or make very little sound, so if your air conditioner is making a sound then that can be an indicator of an issue.
Here are some of the strange sounds you may hear and the problems that they may pertain to:
- A banging or clanking sound can indicate a loose part inside the unit and an unbalanced blower. This sound may also mean that you need to replace your compressor.
- Constant clicking can indicate a problem in electrical parts, such as a malfunctioning thermostat.
- Humming in your air conditioner is another indication of electrical problems, such as a defective contactor relay switch, but it can also mean that there are loose parts in the unit.
- Chattering or rattling can mean there are twigs or leaves trapped inside the unit. However, these sounds can also be a sign that your electrical contractor is damaged.
- Screeching or squealing happens when the fan and blower motors are broken or damaged.
- A buzzing sound can result from any number of problems, including loose blades, clogged air filters, dirty coils, unbalanced blowers, loose components, or a refrigerant leak.
Depending on the severity of the issue you may be experiencing, you might need to call a professional to repair your air conditioning unit.
Your Air Conditioner’s Refrigerant Is Leaking
Your air conditioner’s refrigerant may be leaking if your air conditioner is not blowing cool air, making a hissing sound, and has frozen coils. This particular problem can also cause an increase in your electrical bills, as your air conditioning unit will try to use more energy to cool your home. You can prevent refrigerant leakage through regular inspection of your air conditioner.
Your Air Conditioner Has a Clogged Drain Pipeline
If you own a split type air conditioner or have a central air conditioning system, your air conditioner has a drain pipe or pipeline. The pipe collects the condensation inside your air conditioner and drains it away from the unit. Pipes can get clogged or dirty due to mold and the accumulation of debris. When the pipe is clogged and the water is unable to drain correctly, the water can spill over and cause leakage at the bottom of the air conditioning unit.
When this occurs, clean and drain your pipe so that condensation can be properly collected and drained once more. Regularly clean your air conditioning unit by changing air filters and flushing the drain line if you want to prevent your pipes from clogging.
Your Air Conditioner Could Have Electric Control Problems
Constantly turning your air conditioner on and off can cause electrical parts to wear out. When this happens, your compressor, condenser fan motor, and blower motor can’t form an electrical connection, so your air conditioner will not turn on. To prevent your electrical components from breaking down, have your air conditioner regularly inspected by professionals.
When these common air conditioner problems occur and are left untreated, they could cost you high electrical bills and even more expensive repair fees. You might also continue to experience the same problems if you buy a new air conditioning unit but don’t take proper measures to care for it. Have your air conditioning unit regularly maintained and inspected to avoid these problems and ensure that your appliance is always at peak performance.
