articleseducationApril 25, 2023by cityairadmin5 Most Common AC Problems (And Solutions)

Living in North Carolina can be brutal if you don’t have air conditioning. Whether you’re running a business or just trying to stay comfortable at home, your A/C unit is working hard to keep the heat and humidity at bay.

With that kind of work ethic, it’s a wonder that air conditioners aren’t breaking down more often than they do. However, if you’re not paying attention to your air conditioner problems, you’ll likely wind up with some pretty expensive repairs.

So, with that in mind, let’s dive into the five most common AC problems and solutions to keep you and yours cool and comfortable all season long.

Refrigerant is an essential part of the air conditioning process. This chemical compound absorbs heat and cools the air around it. So, as your A/C runs refrigerant through its compressor and evaporator, the machine blows cooled air into the room.

Since refrigerant doesn’t go away as it’s used, the system is supposed to be built to maintain the same levels throughout the life of the machine. So, if your A/C has low refrigerant, it means there’s a leak.

Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to fix the leak immediately. Since this problem usually works slowly, you can just add a pound or two of new refrigerant every year. That said, this stopgap solution will only work for so long, meaning repairs will be necessary down the road.

If you’re like most people, you don’t pay attention to your A/C’s air filter very often. Unfortunately, environmental particles like dust, pollen, and other debris can clog the filter over time. While you can clean the outside of the air conditioner regularly, it also has an internal air filter that must be swapped out regularly.

Depending on how much you use your A/C, we recommend changing the air filter every 30 days or so. This way, you can always ensure that your A/C runs as efficiently as possible.

An A/C capacitor is responsible for giving your appliance the initial jolt of electricity it needs to start running. So, if the capacitor isn’t working correctly, it could cause your A/C to run improperly or not come on at all. In some cases, the capacitor could be faulty and add extra wear and tear to other internal components.

The best way to spot a bad capacitor is to get your A/C unit inspected regularly. Trained technicians can tell you when a capacitor is ready to break down and offer a replacement before the problem escalates. Overall, regular A/C services can save you a lot of time and money later on.

Cooling the air inside your house or business generates a lot of condensation in and around the air conditioner. To ensure this water doesn’t short-circuit the system, your A/C is equipped with a drain.

Unfortunately, dirt and debris (often caused by a dirty air filter) can get into the drain and clog it. When that happens, your A/C won’t work well or may shut off entirely.

Again, regular maintenance is the best way to prevent the damage caused by a clogged A/C drain.

While the capacitor delivers electricity to the air conditioner, contactors distribute that electricity to each internal component. So, if a contactor isn’t working correctly, some parts of the A/C won’t turn on at all, leading to a chain reaction of events and a broken machine.

Since your A/C has multiple contactors, you should get them all inspected at least once per year. This way, you can swap out aging or corroded contactors before they short the entire system.

Don’t wait until your A/C breaks down and stops working to call us. We know how hot and muggy North Carolina can get, so you want to avoid sitting in a stuffy home or office until our team can arrive. Instead, it’s best to call us and set up a routine maintenance and inspection plan to ensure your A/C is always in tip-top shape. Contact City Air Experts today, or check us out on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to stay up to date on the latest HVAC news and information!