Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Tips

Useful Tips for Troubleshooting Air Conditioning Issues

If your air conditioning is giving you problems, you may be able to easily address small issues. We have provided an easy to follow list of frequent air conditioning issues. Give the team at Ronald Smith Heating & Air a call if you need an appointment for air conditioning repair.

Is Your Air Conditioner Blowing Warm Air?

Your thermostat may have the wrong setting.

• Recommended Action: Double check your thermostat to ensure it is set to “cool.” It’s also better if your unit is set to “auto” instead of “on” because it will cycle on and off according to the thermostat. The Ronald Smith Heating & Air team can help if you think your panel isn’t working properly.

Your unit is clogged or dirty.

• Recommended Action: Clean the area around your outdoor unit. Remove any fallen leaves or debris from the unit. When your outside AC unit is dirty, clogged, or covered in debris and dirt, it will have trouble removing heat from your air and pushing cool air into your home. A dirty system leads to a soiled filter. If your filter isn’t replaced regularly, your evaporator coil can become dirty. You will need to call an HVAC professional to service the evaporator coil, but the filter can easily be replaced.

Compressor Runs But No Airflow

You have obstructions blocking your supply and return vents.

• Recommended Action: Check all the rooms in your home to ensure your supply and return vents are unblocked by furniture or rugs.

Your unit needs a new air filter.

• Recommended Action: When your AC is running, and no air is coming through the vents, it could be a sign that your air filter is dirty and blocked. You will need to replace your filter to restore airflow. A completely clogged filter can lead to frozen coils.

High Utility Bills

Your unit is inefficient.

• Recommended Action: Schedule a system diagnostic and maintenance program. An inefficient AC system could be the result of inconsistent servicing. Higher energy costs are common when an air conditioning system is straining and working overtime to do previously easy tasks.

Your unit is too old.

• Recommended Action: Consider replacement. While it may seem like an expensive investment, your system is a valuable asset to your home. By replacing an aging AC unit, you are saving money. Older AC units can be costly because the wear and tear on the system can lead to reduced efficiency, higher energy costs, and expensive repairs.

AC Short Cycling

Your unit has compromised parts.

• Recommended Action: Maintenance or seasonal servicing can help ensure your AC unit is ready for use. When your AC unit is constantly turning on and off without cooling the home, it’s called short cycling. Compromised parts cause your system to short cycle. Broken or worn parts mixed with dirty and failing systems can cause your unit to perform erratically. Scheduling ongoing maintenance to inspect your system for worn or failing parts can solve this problem.

You should inspect your thermostat.

• Recommended Action: Check and replace any batteries in your thermostat and restart it. These steps should resolve any problems with the thermostat, but if it doesn’t, you’ll need to reach out to an HVAC specialist for help. Thermostat issues can also cause your air conditioning system to short cycle, which leads to an uncomfortable home with hot and cool spots.

Unusual AC Noises

Your unit is malfunctioning or has loose parts.

• Recommended Action: You should visually and audibly inspect your system. Be certain to listen carefully for the type of noise coming from your unit so you can relay details to the HVAC specialist. Loud and repetitive noises coming from your unit are a sign something is wrong.

Your unit may have electrical problems.

• Recommended Action: You will need professional help to fix problems with your unit’s electrical system. While there are many weird noises that can come from your AC unit, if you hear buzzing or hissing sounds, it’s typically a sign of electrical issues.

Improve Your Home's Airflow with These AC Fixes

Your unit may have a duct leak.

• Recommended Action: Turn on your HVAC fan and inspect your ducts for leaks in the line. You can turn off the fan and repair the holes with duct repair tape, a special metallic tape used specifically for duct work repair.

You need to inspect your blower fan.

• Recommended Action: Your blower fan can become dirty or damaged from wear and tear, which can cause it to become sluggish and slow. You can clean the fan with regular soap and water to remove any dirt or buildup that could prevent the fan from operating properly.

If you need help with your air conditioning troubleshooting and repair, we can help! Call us today at (770) 766-9212 to schedule an appointment. You can also reach us online anytime!