An air conditioner has long been an indispensable element of comfort in a home or office, especially in a hot climate. However, even the most reliable equipment can break down over time. Noise, leaks, poor cooling, or an unpleasant odor are just some of the symptoms indicating a malfunction.
In this article, we will analyze the most common air conditioner breakdowns and their causes so that you can recognize the problem in time and avoid serious costs. If you live in California and are looking for a proven service, professional AC and heating repair in San Diego from Tytum will help quickly and efficiently restore your equipment to working order.
Signs of Air Conditioner Malfunctions
Air conditioning devices have long ceased to be a novelty, and today, they are used both in the industrial/commercial sphere and in everyday life. Each device has its own service life, but it is very unpleasant if the air conditioner breaks down at the most inopportune moment — in the summer heat.
Sometimes, you can determine the cause of the breakdown and fix it yourself, but in any case, the advice of a specialist, or even better, diagnostics of the device, will not be superfluous. Let’s look at the most common breakdowns of air conditioners.
You can determine that the air conditioner has stopped working properly by the following signs:
- The air does not cool/heat up to the specified parameters;
- The temperature in the room has significantly increased/decreased, which does not correspond to the set indicators;
- There is condensation on any of the housings;
- Water is leaking from the inner box;
- Unplanned switching on / off occurs;
- Clicks or other sounds are heard during the operation;
- Vibration occurs when switching on / off;
- There are unpleasant odors when it works.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the specifics of common air conditioner problems.
The Air Conditioner Doesn’t Turn On
It happens that the climate control device simply does not turn on. The reasons for this are as follows:
- The plug is not tightly inserted into the socket;
- The remote control does not communicate with the device, because its batteries are dead;
- The remote control is broken or damaged;
- There is no cable connection between the indoor and outdoor units;
- The control board has stopped receiving and processing signals due to a malfunction;
- The protection mode is activated for some reason, which is reflected on the display by the word “malfunction.”
You can check its connection or the state of the remote control by replacing the batteries yourself. Still, you cannot open the device and, even more so, try to find a malfunction in its cables or mechanisms without the appropriate experience or knowledge.
Short Operating Cycle
It happens that the operating cycle of the air conditioning device is shortened or increased. In the first case, it switches off without cooling the air to the specified parameter. In the second case, it continues to work, but the temperature falls below the norm. These signs, in any case, indicate a malfunction or failure in the settings.
There are several reasons for such signs:
- The control board has burned out or broken down;
- The compressor quickly heats up and switches off;
- The external unit fan does not work;
- The evaporator or filters are clogged with dirt.
Sometimes, it is enough to clean the filter for the air conditioner to work in the desired mode, but if the problem is in the board or the compressor is faulty, then you will have to either change them or repair them, which can only be done by service representatives. In any case, the air conditioner requires diagnostics.
Problems With Cooling or Heating
Even a new air conditioner may have problems with cooling/heating the air. There are several reasons for such signs:
- The refrigerant level has become lower than the specified factory parameters, or it has completely leaked;
- The filters are either clogged or worn out;
- The inverter module has failed;
- The compressor has stopped working;
- The temperature sensor either does not receive a signal due to a failure in the settings or is broken;
- The impeller of the fan of the external unit is so dirty that it does not turn;
- There is no communication between the air conditioner units.
This reason is unlikely to be eliminated on your own. The breakdown of the device parts requires the help of an AC and heating repair company, for example, Tytum.
Vibration When The Air Conditioner is Running
Vibration when any device is turned on indicates its malfunction, and climate control equipment is no exception. The reasons for its manifestation are:
- Impeller curvature;
- Damage to the integrity of the bearing;
- Ice formation.
If the air conditioner starts to vibrate, you need to turn it off and call a technician to diagnose the malfunction.
Extraneous Noises in The Air Conditioner
If the climate control device suddenly rattled, “hummed” or crackled during operation, then it needs to be turned off to find out the cause of the unusual noise. Changes in the behavior of the air conditioner can cause the following malfunctions:
- The filter is dirty, and therefore, air exchange is disrupted, which is why the hum occurs (this is air, the pressure of which is unchanged, trying to pass through dust accumulations);
- The tightness or integrity of the pipeline has changed;
- The control transformer has broken down;
- The device’s working life has been exhausted.
Condensate Leak From the Air Conditioner
A properly installed and connected air conditioner is not covered with condensate. If this happens, it means that it is either faulty or clogged.
Often, the reason for moisture in the indoor unit is the contamination of the drain pipe. To clean it, you need to:
- Disconnect the air conditioning equipment from the network;
- Disconnect the drain pipe;
- Rinse it and let it dry;
- Return the drain to its place;
- Turn on the device and check its operation.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the causes of air conditioner breakdowns is the first step to extending its service life. Most malfunctions can be prevented with regular maintenance and timely diagnostics. Do not ignore the first signs of trouble: the sooner you seek help, the cheaper and faster the repair will be.
And if you are in Southern California, then a reliable AC and heating repair company like Tytum is your best choice for high-quality and prompt restoration of air conditioning equipment.
