Air Conditioning Troubleshooting

One of the typical reasons air conditioners don’t work properly is a clogged or dirty filter. Follow the manufacturer’s suggestions as to how often to change your air filter. Some are monthly, others every three months, while some are reusable and should be cleaned when they are dirty. Dirty filters not only reduce the flow of air but can also cause the AC unit to freeze. 

In an AC unit, there are contactors for the compressor, the blower motor, and the condenser fan motor. They make an electrical connection that starts the motors and compressor. If there’s arcing and pitting on the contactor, it becomes difficult for electric current to start the motors. 

 When the coolant starts leaking in the air conditioner, the unit will not perform correctly, and the temperature will fluctuate. The location of the leak will affect the cost of the repair so having this examined yearly by a trained AC technician is advised. 

Like the filter, the drain line can become clogged with dirt, dust, and lint. If it becomes clogged, the drain pan will fill up, and water will leak out potentially causing damage to the AC unit or whatever is around your pan. 

Without capacitors, the motors that power the compressor and fans won’t work. The start capacitor sends a jolt to activate the motor, while the run capacitor provides a services of jolts to keep the motor working. The AC unit won’t run efficiently if either burns out. 

The breakers and fuses safeguard the AC unit’s motor or compressor from overheating. Often when a motor dies, one of the first parts the HVAC technician checks is the breaker.