One of the most common air conditioner problems is improper operation. If the air conditioning is on, be sure to close the windows and doors. You want to isolate the room as much as possible from the rest of your home in order to cool the room faster with lowest energy consumption. Common problems with existing air conditioners result from faulty installation, poor service procedures, and inadequate maintenance.
Refrigerant Leaks
If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, either it was undercharged at installation or it leaks. If it leaks, simply adding refrigerant is not a solution. A trained technician should fix any leak, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant. Remember that the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner is greatest when the refrigerant charge exactly matches the manufacturer’s specification, and is neither undercharged nor overcharged. Refrigerant leaks can also be harmful to the environment.
Many times, the refrigerant charge (the amount of refrigerant in the system) does not match the manufacturer’s specifications. If proper refrigerant charging is not performed during installation, the performance and efficiency of the unit is impaired. Unqualified service technicians often fail to find refrigerant charging problems or even worsen existing problems by adding refrigerant to a system that is already full.
Inadequate Maintenance
If you allow filters and air conditioning coils to become dirty, the air conditioner will not work properly, and the compressor or fans are likely to fail prematurely.
Electric Control Failure
The compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner turns on and off frequently, as is common when a system is oversized. Because corrosion of wire and terminals is also a problem in many systems, electrical connections and contacts should be checked during a servicing.
Sensor Problems
Air conditioners feature a temperature sensor, located in the control panel, which measures the temperature of air coming into the evaporative coil. If the sensor is knocked out of position, the air conditioner could behave erratically. The sensor should be near the coil but not touching it; adjust its position by carefully bending the wire that holds it in place.
Drainage Problems
When it’s humid outside, check the condensate drain to make sure it isn’t clogged and is draining properly. Air conditioners may not drain properly if not mounted level.