AC Not Working? Here are some Common AC Problems

Although there are potentially hundreds of reasons why your Kansas City home’s central air conditioner may need to be serviced, there are several reasons that are most common. Recognizing what they are may create some personal understanding what a technician is saying when they discuss the choices for fixing the problem. Here are the top 5 list of problems that may cause your AC unit to fail. Please review these considerations and determine whether you need to schedule an HVAC inspection.

1. Faulty wiring

   Bad, haphazard or uncertified A/C wiring is risky and a probable fire hazard. Bad wiring may stop the system from getting power or can trip the circuit breaker.

2. Leaking refrigerant

   Refrigerant (typically referred to as Freon) is the chemical that cools the air within your air conditioning system. Reduced levels of refrigerant may suggest a leak or problem with the refrigerant system. If your air conditioning system needs to be recharged with refrigerant, typically that insinuates there is a leak. All refrigerant leaks should be located and repaired. To read about the phase out of R-22 refrigerant in the United States, we encourage you to visit the U.S. EPA website.

3. Outside fan is not turning

   The fan on your outside AC unit is responsible for moving the heat from your Kansas City home to the outside air. If the fan on the outside unit doesn’t perform correctly, proper heat transfer does not occur and the air conditioning compressor may overheat and trip the safety overload. Worse yet, it may cause internal damage to the compressor.

4. Outside unit not functional

   This typically indicates a significant reduction of power, contactor problems or even a bad thermostat.

5. Frozen inside coil

   A frozen coil often indicates a problem with the airflow, such as restrictions caused by dirty air filters or blocked return air ductwork. Frozen indoor coils could also be the result of low refrigerant.

Best practices suggest that the most convenient way for a Kansas City area homeowner to prevent these expected problems is by participating in a preventive maintenance program. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and airflow problems can be detected during routine maintenance tune-ups. For all these common issues, a professionally qualified, NATE-certified technician can quickly diagnose the problem area and implement the necessary repairs. Call or contact us today for an evaluation!