8 Most Common Problems of Air Conditioning Appliance

Whether you are lounging at home or working in the office, there is nothing like the comfort of a cool environment that only air conditioning systems bring. Growing up, I've always thought that AC appliances are an unnecessary luxury because there's still electric fans that are way cheaper. But I only came to appreciate its benefits during my college years, when almost all of our rooms and lecture halls have air conditioners. I mean working, studying or resting in a room or establishment with a cooling system is way more relaxing both for the body and mind.

And this is why nowadays, more and more households and commercial establishments invest in installing an AC appliance. However, just like any state-of-the-art appliance, air conditioners are also prone to technical problems, especially with the normal wear and tear process as time goes by. And since our AC systems are such a large investment, having a good idea of what kind of malfunctioning problems is must help protect that investment. So we have compiled eight of the most common problems air conditioner appliances often run to during its "lifespan".

• LEAKING REFRIGERANT

  The magic liquid that produces that cold air from your ACs is known as the refrigerant. And one of the most common problems that this appliance often experiences is the sudden billowing of warmer air rather than a cooler one due to a leaking refrigerant. Leaks can be easily fixed but what's problematic is locating which tubes have holes or tears. Although you can inspect it on your own, having an expert repairman check it out is more reliable and comforting. However, once you've patched up or replaced the tubes and added the lost refrigerant, your air conditioner will once again start producing cool air.

• CLOGGED FILTER

  Since air conditioners are a form of a ventilation system, it also contains an air filtration component. The air around us constantly contains dust and small dirt particles. And no matter how much of a clean freak you are at home, your ACs filters will eventually start packing up all of this dirt overtime. Sadly, clogged up air filters restrict airflow, which is why you'd notice that as time passes by, it takes a much longer time before your room completely cools.

  A monthly cleaning maintenance is must especially for this component, but if you have furry pets around then cleaning it at least every two weeks to remove all the hair should do. And replacing your air filters annually is usually what the manufacturer would recommend keeping your air conditioners in top shape.

• BUSTED COMPRESSOR

  Basically, the compressor is the component responsible for driving the hot air that has been sucked in by the AC and blows it towards the condenser coil. And this, in turn, transforms that hot, humid air into a cold breeze. If your air conditioning system is not properly creating that cool environment, it probably means that your compressor is busted. Furthermore, a malfunctioning compressor can also be due to an insufficient amount of refrigerant left in your AC, a faulty wire, or a dead capacitor.

• FAULTY FAN

  There are two separate fan components in your air conditioner. One is responsible for blowing air in, and the other is for pushing hot air out towards the condenser. And suppose one or both of these fans stop working or start malfunctioning. In that case, airflow will be disrupted, which can lead to several other problems such as the inability to produce cool air and a more problematic compressor crash.

  Stuck propellers often cause faulty fans in air conditioning appliances due to dirt and hair build-up, the belts are already at its breaking point, or due to a motor failure which powers the fans in the first place. Usually, a simple thorough clean up can already address the problem, unless of course the fan itself or the motor is already broken which means parts replacement.

• TEMPERATURE GOING CRAZY

  All air conditioning systems have what you call a thermostat. This is the device which controls your cooling appliance, and it is considered as the brains of the AC. Thermostats are responsible for setting up the temperature levels, and when the appliance should turn on or off. And whether your AC still has the old dial ones or the new smart programmable versions that can be connected with your smartphone, all thermostats must be calibrated before using an air conditioner.

  Calibration is necessary to get just the right temperature for your room or establishment and must be adjusted depending on the outside environmental temperature. This not only keeps you from turning into a human popsicle, but it also helps save energy keeping your electric bills from unnecessarily shooting up sky-high. Improper calibrations especially for the tricky manual versions often happen and can either give you fluctuating warmer or colder temperatures. Furthermore, placing them under direct sunlight can also cause it to go haywire, so be sure to position them in a more shaded area.

• ICED EVAPORATOR COILS

  Being a cooling appliance, it's not surprising if air conditioners start having ice formation and build-up inside. And the most common part that often becomes frozen is ironically the evaporator coils. Mind you; evaporator coils are those intestine looking tubes in your ACs which contain the holy refrigerant liquid and are responsible for sucking in all the heat from the warm air. Just think of it as the steel sponge and the lungs of the air conditioner.

  Now, if the airflow suddenly goes crazy, it's the evaporator coils which pay the price and turn into a frozen icicle. And if they become iced, expect a heater rather than a cooler from your air conditioners. Furthermore, this component is often prone to corrosion and rusting, so a periodical check-up is a must if you want to continue getting cold air from your AC systems.

• BLOCKED CONDENSER COILS

  In retrospect to the evaporator coils, condenser coils are responsible for blowing and expelling out all of the heat from the warm air that was sucked up by the evaporator coils. And since condenser coils of various air conditioning systems are situated outdoors, they are subjected to all the dirt, dust, and grime build-up. Furthermore, they are also left out in the open being constantly bombarded by various degrading factors which is why condenser coils are often needed to be replaced over time a lot sooner than other AC parts.

  The problem is when all the dirt and dust start piling up and eventually blocking off the condenser coils, this will then lead to heat getting trapped inside your AC system. Once it gets hotter, air conditioners tend to work double-time to off-set the heat build-up. This causes too much strain on other components which leads to an eventual malfunction of the entire system. Hence, cleaning and maintenance, especially for parts exposed outdoors, is a must to prevent an overall air conditioning failure.

• WEIRD NOISES WHEN RUNNING

  Although air conditioners tend to give off this soft humming sound when it turns on or starts running again; hearing a series of clanging or banging noises is a definite cause for alarm. However, these weird noises may be caused by not one, but several reasons and pinpointing the exact culprit can be quite a headache. From broken motors, to lose belts and fan blades; the possibilities can be quite a long list. Checking and identifying the cause can be done by the appliance owner. Still, it's better if a professional air conditioner repairman does it rather than you to be sure that you get the right diagnosis.

Brands may tell you that their appliances are built to last; however, let's be honest and admit that nothing lasts forever, not even your air conditioning systems. Everything has a breaking point sometime, especially if you're not taking care of them properly. And just like any home appliance or machinery, air conditioners are also prone to damage and decay as you constantly use them. But providing them with an annual or twice a year maintenance check and addressing whatever issue they encounter immediately helps extend your home appliances' lifespan.

Note: We also provide affordable appliance repair services in the area of Haddon Heights NJ and we are also specialize in air conditioner repair