Common A/C Problems and How To Fix Them!

Summer is in full swing here in Gravenhurst, Ontario. We’ve already seen some crazy heat waves, intense rain storms and humidity like no other!

Thankfully, the forecast ahead is looking much tamer. But according to The Weather Network, the rest of the season will be quite changeable.

More hot weather is en route, but it will lack commitment as frequent cold fronts swoop in. They’re also calling for a summer's last hurrah in September, giving us a very warm conclusion to the season.

How has your A/C held up so far?

If it’s anything like ours, it’s been running nonstop for weeks to keep up with the humidity. And battling those heat waves of 30+ degrees wasn’t easy.

You probably had no issues if your system is relatively new and well-maintained. But if your system is old, neglected or broken, your home probably got quite uncomfortable!

If this is your system, keep reading!

This article discusses the most common A/C problems and how to fix them!

Need immediate air conditioning repair? Don’t hesitate to contact our cooling team!

 

How to Troubleshoot Your Cooling System

Knowing of a problem is one thing. But identifying what that problem is is quite another.

How do you know where to start? Or even what to look for?

Below are a few DIY troubleshooting tips!

Check Your Thermostat

This is always the first thing our technicians check when called in for a repair.

Of course, we trust that you’ve set your system to cool instead of heat. But all it takes is someone in your family feeling chilly for things to go wonky.

In some cases, your thermostat could have malfunctioned as well.

We recommend recalibrating your thermostat at least once a year. This ensures that the temperature you set is the temperature you get!

Check Windows & Doors

This may seem obvious, but it’s always worth a check!

Open doors and windows, or those with bad seals, can greatly reduce the effectiveness of your A/C.

As the hot and humid outdoor air enters your home, your A/C has to work even harder! If you don’t ensure your home is well-sealed, it’ll continue to be an uphill battle for your cooling system.

It’ll also cost you more!

If your unit works double time to keep up with the added demand, its efficiency will plummet.

Always ensure your family knows the age-old rule:

CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND YOU.

Open Air Vents

Here’s the thing...

If you don’t have a zoned cooling system installed, you shouldn’t try and make one.

Many homeowners close air vents to certain rooms to try and save money. But closing vents can damage your A/C - leading to pricy repairs or even a replacement system!

If zoned cooling is what you’re after, don’t resort to closing vents. Give our cooling team a call! 

Schedule Duct Cleaning

Ducts may seem invisible, but like any system in your home, they need proper care.

We like to consider ductwork the lungs of your home. If they become clogged or damaged, your whole house will feel it.

Not sure how to check for dirty ducts? Below are some tell-tale dirty ductwork signs!

• Poor airflow
• Mould
• Worsening allergies
• Weird smells
• Insect infestation
• High energy bills

Look For Tripped Circuit Breakers

Electrical overload can cause the circuit breaker in your home to trip up. While this is pretty inconvenient, it’s not dangerous to your system. It’s also a pretty quick fix!

Check your electrical panel and turn your breaker off and on again. Then try turning your A/C on a few minutes later.

If it works, voila!

You may need a licensed electrician to come out if it doesn't.

Our GPHE electrical team can get things back up and running fast. Give us a call for a quick repair - we’ll be right over!

Change Your Filters

You’re probably tired of hearing this from us by now, but don’t forget to change your filters!

These components are small and easy to forget. That is until they noticeably clog up and slow down your A/C!

A dirty air filter can,

a) Lower your system’s performance,

b) Shorten its lifespan, and

c) Rack up energy bills.

Our air conditioning repair team recommends changing your filter every 90 days. This prevents dirt, dust and pet hair from building up.

Clear Around Your Outdoor Unit

Don’t forget your outdoor unit! It’s just as important as your indoor one.

Your outdoor unit can become clogged with weeds, dirt and leaves - reducing efficiency.

This can cause numerous issues to your entire system, not to mention higher energy bills!

Here are a few ways to ensure your outdoor condenser stays clean:

• Hose off the unit as needed.
• Trim grass and/or weeds around it regularly.
• Keep large objects at least two feet away.
• Place it on a concrete slab.

 

7 Most Common A/C Issues & Their Solutions

Now that you know how to troubleshoot your system, let's look at the most common issues you’ll find.

1. Inefficient Cooling

A clogged A/C unit means a weak one. You may notice that air isn’t coming through your vents as strongly. Or that your home takes a while to cool down.

If this is the case, your unit has a blockage preventing it from operating at max efficiency.

The Solution(s):

• Book a duct cleaning.
• Change the HVAC filter.
• Clean the outdoor unit.

If none of these solutions works, the problem could be bigger. Call the GPHE air conditioning repair team for a professional assessment!

2. Short Cycling

If your unit cycles on and off frequently, there are a few potential culprits. Your thermostat could have malfunctioned. The filter could be clogged up. Or there could be a refrigerant leak.

The Solution(s):

• Recalibrate the thermostat.
• Change the HVAC filter,
• Repair the refrigerant leak.

3. Weird Smells

Finding where a weird smell comes from can be lengthy and frustrating.

Sometimes the culprit is obvious, like a dead animal in your ductwork. Other times it’s harder to find.

The Solution(s):

• Book an inspection.
• Change your HVAC filter.

4. Blowing Hot Air

If you’re experiencing this one, you have our sympathies! Hot air on a hot, humid day is a recipe for discomfort and disaster.

There’s a myriad of reasons why this could be happening too - some cheap and some a little more pricy.

The Solution(s):

• Check your thermostat settings.
• Book an air conditioning repair appointment.

5. Refrigerant Leak

If you notice a refrigerant leak, we don’t recommend simply refilling it. While this may seem like a reasonable solution, you’ll only buy more refrigerant and waste it.

Solution(s):

• Book an air conditioning repair appointment.
• Do not refill until the repair is complete.

6. Frozen Coil

A frozen coil is a common and very easy-to-fix problem.

It can happen for several reasons - including restricted airflow, low refrigerant, broken parts, etc.

The Solution(s):

• Turn off the A/C and set the fan to “run” (this will melt the ice).
• Change the HVAC filter.
• Check for disconnections in the ductwork.
• Ensure all registers are clear of obstructions.
• Book an inspection.

 

Need Immediate Air Conditioning Repair? Give GPHE a call!

The longer you let the issue(s) persist, the more expensive they can become.

For immediate air conditioning repair, call our GPHE team! We’ll book you in as soon as possible and get things up and running fast.

Call our office at +1 705-687-3402 or schedule your repair visit online!