7 Common Air Conditioner Problems and Possible Solutions

An air conditioning unit is a necessary feature in your home. However, poorly maintained air conditioners can fail to function properly from time to time. This blog post discusses the most common air conditioner problems.

An AC that blows lukewarm air will cause discomfort in the house. Your first reaction is to confirm if you have properly set the thermostat. If the thermostat is properly set, move on to the air filter. An overused and worn-out filter may cause lukewarm air to flow from your AC.

Insufficient refrigerant may be another possible cause of lukewarm air. If the refrigerant is low, the large copper line that enters the AC's condenser will not feel cold or moist. Therefore, ask a professional to refill the refrigerant.

A dirty air filter will limit airflow and reduce the efficiency of your AC unit. Hence, your unit will have to work harder and take longer to cool the home. 

Lack of regular cleaning will make your filter dirty and clogged. Consequently, clean the filter frequently based on the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations. If the filter becomes too dirty, you can replace it with a new one.

Many air conditioners generate a lot of noise due to the sound of the compressor and fan. However, the presence of vibration sounds is an indication of improper installation. The sounds show that the air conditioner isn't properly attached to your window. Examine the manufacturer's installation guidelines or call an AC expert to reinstall the unit.

The AC's electric controls may wear out due to frequent use. This problem typically affects oversized AC systems. Furthermore, the terminals and wires can corrode. Corrosion and wearing out can lead to electrical control failure. The solution is to ask a professional to check and fix the electrical controls.

The AC unit has a thermostat sensor that is near the control panel. The sensor's work is to measure air temperature as it enters the coils. When the sensor is not in the proper position, the feature won't record the correct temperature readings. The result is an AC that cycles more frequently and functions erratically.

Ensure that your sensor doesn't come into contact with the coil. You can bend the sensor's attached wire to prevent contact.

A burning smell from the AC usually is proof of significant problems. While the smell will appear to come from the vents, the underlying problem may be the air conditioner system.



The smell may emerge when your AC works too hard and overheats. This situation arises if you have clogged filters that reduce the unit's efficiency. Clogged filters force the AC unit to take a long time to spread air inside your room.

Another possible cause of a burning smell may be poor wiring. When you haven't connected the AC's wires correctly, the coatings will singe.

Failure of the AC to turn on is another common problem. The failure may be a result of a tripped circuit breaker. Reset the circuit breaker and try to turn on the unit again.



Another possible cause can be a malfunctioning plug. Check if the plug is loose and plug it correctly.

You can also take a closer look at the AC thermostat batteries. The batteries may no longer be effective, and you need to get new ones. If the AC still fails to turn on, reach out to an AC technician for help.

Your AC unit cools your home to provide comfort. However, the unit will experience problems from time to time. Local Mechanical Heating & Air can help you to identify these problems and make the necessary repairs. Contact us to learn how we can help you.