Troubleshooting: Air Conditioner Edition

Some basic knowledge about air conditioners can help you troubleshoot common A/C problems. That way, if it’s a simple problem, you can address it yourself. Otherwise, it’s always best to have a trained air conditioning specialist work on residential cooling equipment. Following is a list of some of the more common A/C problems:

Inadequate Cooling (Airflow)

Check to see whether this is a result of poor airflow or air that’s just not cool enough to condition a room. If it’s insufficient airflow, you may be able to address that issue. Check the air filter and change it if it looks dirty. Make sure vents and registers aren’t blocked by furniture, drapes, rugs, etc. Poor airflow also may be a duct problem. Inspect ductwork to ensure it’s properly connected. Dirty and leaking ducts also can impede airflow. If the airflow deficit is caused by a faulty blower or air handler motor, that’s a job for your trusted A/C technician.

Inadequate Cooling (Air That’s Not Cool Enough)

If the air is coming out of registers at a proper velocity but feels warm, this could be caused by several issues. They include 1) a thermostat that’s not set to cooling; 2) dirty cooling coils, interfering with proper heat exchange; 3) insufficient or leaking refrigerant; 4) defective components such as the compressor.

The Air Conditioner Won’t Operate

Check your breaker box for any tripped circuits. Make sure the thermostat has a fresh battery (if it’s battery-operated). If an air conditioner has been overworked, that can cause it to break down or perform poorly. On a day with extreme heat, don’t ask your A/C to cool a room to the mid-60s. This can result in breakdowns and serious damage to sensitive components.

Ice Forms on Your Outside A/C Unit

This can be a result of several different issues; contact your air conditioning technician to address this problem.

If your cooling system is malfunctioning and you don’t know how to correct the problem, please contact us at C.R. Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide quality A/C service to the Middletown area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 845-367-4482.

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