Signs of Central Air Conditioner Failure

Having your central air conditioning system fail you on a hot day is an event many of us have suffered through. Recognizing the failure signs can help you discover the problem so you can call a licensed professional to correct the issue as quickly as possible.

Some signs of central air conditioner failure can point to one or more components in your system that are not working properly. The most common noticeable malfunction is unusual noises coming from your AC unit or there is no sound at all when the unit is in operation.

When a central AC system makes excessive noise it’s best to turn it off so it doesn’t cause more damage. The most common source of noise generates from the fan motor where twigs and leaves could be trapped inside or motor bearings need replacing.

Other signs include temperature changes such as some rooms being hotter than others or warm air throughout the entire house.

THINGS TO CHECK:

Ventwork:

If there are some rooms that are cooling as they should and others that are not, it can be duct work failure. Central air conditioning is a sealed air system and a tear or leak in the air ducts can make the entire house warmer than it should be or leave some rooms cool while others are warm.

Breaker Box:
If you turn on the AC and there seems to be no power to the unit it can be due to several factors. If the unit does not audibly power on or blow air into your home, a lack of power could be the problem from a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Check your fuse box to fix this problem and reset the breaker or replace the blown fuse.

Thermostat:
No power can also be a sign of a failed thermostat that does not tell the unit to turn on. Turning the thermostat to the lowest temperature without the unit turning on may signal a broken thermostat. No power in your AC unit can also be a sign of a broken wire that needs splicing together or a loose connection in the wiring that can be tightened.

When the AC is running and blowing but the air is not cool, it is most often because of a lack of refrigerant or failure of the condenser. The condenser cools air as it recalculates it by drawing the air over itself and then blowing it into your home. If there is a refrigerant leak in your system, you may need an HVAC professional to seal the leak and add additional refrigerant.

While having a troubleshoot checklist to follow can often resolve your problem quickly, we highly recommend having a licensed professional perform all maintenance and installation functions.