Common AC Problems

If you notice a humming sound coming from your air conditioning unit, it may be a signal that your unit has failing electrical components. With South Florida’s tropical climate, the smartest thing you can do is call an HVAC technician at the first sign of trouble. Not only is this important for cooling needs, but also for safety reasons. If your condenser fan motor or electrical components are not working properly, it can put you at risk for a fire. While identifying the problem is a good idea, leave the servicing to professionals. It’s easy for a small problem to turn into a major one if not handled promptly and properly by a professional.

In South Florida, AC is not a luxury- it is a necessity. With warm temperatures year round, staying cool is a must if you want to be comfortable. Because your AC unit is running year round, there is a higher chance of something going wrong. One issue you may encounter is your air conditioner freezing up. If you find that your evaporator coil has ice on it, or the air flow is not circulating, then you should consider having a certified technician inspect your unit.

Even with temperatures being in the 90s it is possible for your AC to freeze up!

Before starting any troubleshooting steps, make sure that you have turned your ac unit off. Start by turning the “fan” switch to the on position. Let the unit thaw, and then turn the AC unit back on. If you are still having issues, some reasons why your air conditioner may keep freezing up are:

• Dirty air filter
• Faulty thermostat
• Low refrigerant
• Clogged coils
• Blower filled with dust

If you notice a humming sound coming from your air conditioning unit, it may be a signal that your unit has failing electrical components. With South Florida’s tropical climate, the smartest thing you can do is call an HVAC technician at the first sign of trouble. Not only is this important for cooling needs, but also for safety reasons. If your condenser fan motor or electrical components are not working properly, it can put you at risk for a fire. While identifying the problem is a good idea, leave the servicing to professionals. It’s easy for a small problem to turn into a major one if not handled promptly and properly by a professional.

Your air conditioner humming can be a signifier that the fan is running without the unit producing cool air. Sometimes this is a sign of a unit that hasn’t been properly serviced and maintained. Yearly maintenance that consists of cleaning and inspecting your filters, condensers and electrical controls, amongst lubricating and checking other components is a great preventive measure.

Air Conditioners by default produce a small vibration. However, if your unit begins to vibrate harder than usual, the first thing to do is shut it off so you can safely identify the cause. The vibrations may be coming from a dirty filter, the compressor, or the fan.

A dirty or clogged filter is the cause of the most common air conditioner unit problems; one of which is your unit vibrating. If your filter is clogged, your unit will be working twice as hard to cool your indoor air. As a result, your unit will be exerting twice as much power causing stronger vibrations.

Compressors usually create a low-level of noise when they are in use. However, if your unit is abnormally vibrating, this may be indication that there is something mechanically wrong. If so, leave the servicing to a professional. They will help to identify any other contributing factors and you won’t be putting your safety at risk.

In South Florida, storms can cause debris and dirt to get inside of your outdoor unit. If your system is dirty, it can cause your unit to work harder or even cause the fan blades to be off balance. When this happens, the fan motor will continue to run which will result in your air conditioner vibrating. To avoid this annoyance, make it a habit to check your outdoor unit for any branches or debris.

Knowing how inconvenient it is to be without air conditioning in South Florida, and how dangerous some situations are, we provide Monday to Sunday services so that you don’t have to wait days for your air conditioner to stop vibrating. We also stand on the principle that the job is not complete until you are satisfied.

There are many factors that could contribute to your air conditioner shutting off. If the thermostat isn’t working properly (perhaps the battery needs to be changed) it may be communicating the wrong temperature to your unit, causing it to turn off before your space has been completely cooled. Sometimes, however, the problem is more technical. The unit might have overheated, the coolant level could be too low, or the breaker could have been tripped. It’s even possible that foliage or other natural debris blocked the fan, keeping it from functioning properly.

Is your air conditioning unit turning off and on constantly? When this happens, it is referred to as “short cycling.” This can be frustrating, especially when your home never reaches the desired temperature. Not only is your air conditioner not cooling, but it’s exerting more energy by constantly turning back on. While there are many reasons your air conditioner could keep turning on and off, we recommend calling All Year Cooling to get your unit serviced before the problem escalates. We offer both ac maintenance and repair, depending on what the root of the problem is.

If your ac compressor is malfunctioning, it can leads to several problems. The compressor is the engine of your air conditioners’ refrigerant cycle and if the compressor over heats, your unit could start short cycling. Another possible reason your ac unit could keep turning on and off may be low levels of refrigerant. If your unit has not been receiving regular annual maintenance, your level of refrigerant could fall below the necessarily level for standard cooling needs, which could also lead to short cycling. If your air filters are clogged, your evaporator coils are more likely to freeze up. This can also cause your air conditioner to keep turning on and off.

If you haven’t been performing regular preventative maintenance on your air conditioning unit, you may notice that it’s leaking water. The leak may seem alarming, but it can be easily fixed by an All Year Cooling technician. Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to help absorb heat from the air, which cools indoor air, and moisture from the air condenses on the outside of the coil, dripping into the condensate pan. When the drain line gets backed up, the condensate pan begins to overflow. The best way to prevent a leak of this kind if to have your unit serviced regularly before a simple problem turns into a more serious one.

If your air conditioner has been leaking and is low on Freon, it may not be cooling your home fast enough. Freon, a refrigerant, isn’t used by air conditioners the way that vehicles use fuel, so the Freon levels shouldn’t ever drop drastically. If your unit has been serviced regularly, it should maintain the proper level of Freon in order to function properly. If the level is too low, it most likely means there is a leak in your unit. The leak needs to be fixed before addressing any other issues. If you’ve noticed that the indoor coil component to your unit has frozen over, it’s very likely that a Freon leak is causing your ac unit not to cool your home.

If your air conditioner is low on Freon, then it will not function properly. It will not absorb enough heat to cool down indoor air. Freon also helps to cool the ac compressor. With a low level, the compressor can overheat, possibly requiring a replacement.

If your air conditioner is making noise, it is an indication that something is not working properly within the ac system. If your air conditioning unit has started to make noise upon operation, it may be time to call in a professional ac repair technician to handle to problem. It’s important to properly identify where the problem is stemming from, so that it can be repaired in a safe and efficient manner. By trying to fix or ignore the problem, you may create a bigger one.

Different noises imply different problems. For example, a banging noise usually means there is an issue with the compressor. If there is a refrigerant leak, this would sound like hissing or bubbling. A rattling noise could be a sign of a faulty fan. If your outdoor air conditioner is making a screeching noise, this could indicate high internal pressure inside the compressor. This specific situation is dangerous and would require the system to be shut off and be serviced by a technician immediately.

Due to South Florida’s climate, mold inside air conditioning units is very common. It is, however, a dangerous problem to have since it can lead to health issues. If your ac unit has mold inside of it, the mold spores will be spread through your home every time it turns on making it easily inhalable. Inhaling mold is a very serious health risk. If you suspect your ac unit may have mold, you should address it immediately.

Mold can trigger allergies as well as more serious conditions like pneumonia. It’s in your family’s best interest to rid your air conditioner of mold. Mold grows in damp areas, so you should routinely check your air ducts for any dirt or debris, as well as any condensation. By having All Year Cooling perform routine preventative maintenance, you can prevent mold from growing. If your air conditioner already has mold, our technicians have the proper equipment to carefully eliminate it without exposing anyone to it.

Some additional tips for preventing mold is to keep vents dry when condensation forms, not letting your air conditioner go long periods of time without running, and proper insulation.

It’s important to have your air conditioner preemptively serviced each year to avoid any cooling problems, especially during the hot summer months when we need a functioning air conditioner the most. While problems can still occur even with regular maintenance, serious issues are less likely because your unit will have had regular maintenance through the year. Maintenances helps to detect potential mechanical issues before they become major problems.

If your air conditioner is not blowing cold air, your condenser could be dirty, or the compressor could be broken. Sometimes, your ac unit may stop blowing cold air because the coils are frozen. Another potential reason your ac unit may not be generating cool air is if your unit is losing refrigerant through a leak. There isn’t a quick fix for this particular issue, so it’s best to call a professional ac repair company to help you safely diagnose any issues.

If your air conditioner isn’t cooling or only blowing warm air, there are some mechanical troubleshooting steps we can take you through to help identify the problem:

1. Check that the condenser is plugged in.
2. Check the circuit breakers and fuses; sometimes other appliances can cause the breakers to get overloaded.
3. Ensure your thermostat is set to the right temperature, and set to “cool.”
4. Check the fan blower belt for damage; sometimes this can lead to ice forming.
5. Check that your coils aren’t frozen over or covered with debris of any kind.

Another reason your air conditioner may not be cooling your home is because your air filter is clogged. If you have a permanent air filter, it may need to be washed. Disposable filters can get clogged after 4 months of use, depending on pet dander or how dusty your home is.

Refrigerant leaks can also be the cause of many cooling problems. If you discover you have a leak, it’s important to get the leak fixed before adding more refrigerant.

If your air conditioner is not working, there could be a multitude of reasons why. From mechanical failure, to something as simple as low batteries in your thermostat, we have an abundance of information that can help you determine what the issue may be. All Year Cooling is a family owned company that’s been in business for 41 years. With over four decades of experience on our side, we’re confident we’ll be able to determine why your air conditioning unit is not working, and repair it in a timely fashion.

Some of the most common causes of a non-functioning ac unit may be low refrigerant levels due to a leak in the system, faulty wiring, mechanical issues with the outside fan, a frozen coil, or maybe even something as simple as a faulty thermostat.

By ensuring your unit receives routine maintenance, we can help catch any issues before they escalate. We offer a comprehensive maintenance program and a written summary after each visit that includes any issues we have found, or recommendations for repair. By being proactive, you will end up saving money in the long run.

If your air conditioner drain pan overflows, it can cause flood damage around the ac unit. An overflow can occur when the condensate drain pipe is clogged. This line takes water from the overflow pan to the outside of the unit. If the condensate line is clogged it will cause water to back up into the pan which can then lead to the overflow of the drain pan. The combination of these two backups can create a big mess to clean up.

A quick way to prevent your condensate line from clogging is to pour some chlorine bleach down the line every six months. This will help kill any algae or bacteria that may build up and create blockage. This preventative step is especially important in temperate climates. Newer air conditioner units have a water-overflow cutoff switch which will cause the unit to turn off to help prevent any water damage to your home.

Circuit breakers keep your home safe from fire hazards by turning off when the flow of electricity gets too high. If you air conditioner keeps tripping, and it’s not due to a bad storm, it’s safest to leave the unit off and get it serviced immediately.

This problem most often occurs if your unit overheats. If you haven’t been maintaining your unit and the air filter or the condenser coils are dirty, it can lead to overheating. Air filters help circulate air flow and if they’re dirty, your unit has to work even harder to achieve the same results. The affect is similar for dirty air conditioning unit condenser coils. Coils are found on your outside unit and if they are covered with debris, they have to work harder to dissipate heat.

Your unit can also overheat without the proper level of refrigerant, making it work harder to cool indoor air. If there is a leak in your ac unit, it will be low on refrigerant. It’s important to get the leak fixed before adding more refrigerant.

Sometimes your air conditioner will keep running and won’t turn off even after the temperature the thermostat is set for has been reached. When this happens, your unit is using more energy than usual and inflating your utility bill. If you recently installed a new air conditioning unit, it may be too small for your home. Since it doesn’t have sufficient power to cool down your indoor air, it will keep running to achieve the set temperature.

If your unit has dirty condenser coils, its ability to cool your home will be impacted. It’s not uncommon for your outdoor unit to get dirty with dirt, branches, and other debris. The debris will interfere with your ac unit’s ability to cool properly and will cause it to remain on. If your thermostat is malfunctioning or the battery is dead, it won’t be communicating properly to your unit when to turn off.

If your ac unit won’t turn on, cut off the power to the unit to eliminate any wiring issues. If your unit won’t turn on, it may be that you have a faulty motor or there is not enough power going through the wiring. A professional can help you examine the wiring to make sure it is all properly configured.

If your thermostat continuously displays the same temperature, it may be broken or it may be time to replace the battery. Another quick solution to try if your ac unit won’t turn on is to replace your filter. A clean filter will keep your unit functioning properly, including your thermostat. It’s not uncommon in South Florida for your air conditioner to blow out if your outside unit is covered with dirt and debris. Storms can blow branches into your unit, obstructing the vents and circulation and making it impossible to function properly.

With South Florida’s tropical climate, it’s not abnormal for your air conditioner to sometimes omit a foul odor. When this occurs, it’s indication that your unit could use some maintenance. Odor can also originate from a dirty filter. If you have a lot of pet dander and dust getting trapped in your filter, the smell can begin to leak out through your vents. This is one of many reasons why it’s important to routinely change your disposable filters, or clean your permanent filters.

Another cause of bad odor being emitted from your unit is due to rodents getting caught in your ductwork. If a mouse or squirrel gets stuck, it has a small chance of survival. If this animal gets trapped, this smell will eventually seep out through your air vents. Smell from mold and debris can also lead to less than pleasant smells if your ductwork is in need of maintenance. Regular duct cleaning can help prevent these simple issues.

In South Florida, it’s common to run your ac unit for long periods of time. Sometimes the drainage system can get clogged with water, and the water sits in the condensate tray. With bacteria and mold potentially growing, the water may begin to emit a foul smell.

Monday to Sunday Service

All Year Cooling understands how inconvenient having a broken air conditioner is in South Florida, and how dangerous some situations can be. Because of this, we provide Monday to Sunday services so that you don’t have to wait for your air conditioner to function properly. We also stand on the principle that the job is not complete until you are satisfied.

If your air conditioner only works on high temperatures, it could be due to a malfunctioning thermostat. If the thermostat is not properly measuring the temperature inside your home, it won’t properly communicate to your air conditioning unit when to turn on or off.

If the problem is not with the thermostat, it may be a mechanical issue. All Year Cooling will troubleshoot to identify the cause of the problem. We encourage setting up routine maintenance in order to catch any problems before they escalate.