Keeping up with routine maintenance can minimize the chances of an AC breakdown in the future. However, parts do wear out over time.

If you notice your air conditioner is not working, the service technician may conduct a trial-and-error test to find the culprit. Here are some of the most common AC repairs that need to be made. Contact Air Conditioning Repair San Juan Capistrano now!

Thermostats are important for AC systems, but they can develop problems that lead to cooling issues and high energy bills. The good news is that many of these thermostat issues are easily resolved. You can often fix the problem without even calling an AC repair service.

First, check the batteries if your thermostat doesn’t respond to your commands or shows a blank display. These relatively inexpensive components can be the root cause of all sorts of thermostat errors. If the problem persists, it may be due to a faulty sensor, a circuit breaker turned off, or a blown fuse.

It’s also a good idea to check the power switch on your air handler or the outdoor unit, as well as the home circuit breaker that is responsible for supplying power to both of these components. Also, it’s worth checking that the air conditioner is not leaking refrigerant. Leaking refrigerant can be dangerous and reduce the efficiency of your system.

Another common thermostat issue is short cycling. This occurs when your air conditioning starts and stops repeatedly, wasting electricity and wearing on the compressor and other components. You can often remedy this by making sure that your thermostat is located in a shaded area away from direct sunlight and other heat sources and that it’s positioned no more than five feet from the floor.

Finally, if you’re you notice unpleasant smells coming from your thermostat, it could be a sign of mold growth or other corrosion in the internal parts. These problems can affect the operation of your AC and lead to higher monthly operating costs and a compromised warranty.

Dirty Air Filters

Your air filters are responsible for filtering out dirt, dust, mold spores, germs, and other particles in your home. If you use a woven fiberglass filter with a good MERV rating, these filters are very effective at keeping your indoor air clean. However, if your filters are dirty, they lose their ability to effectively filter out these particles and will allow them to circulate throughout your home. This will result in poor indoor air quality, health problems, high power consumption, and an ineffective AC unit.

The air ducts in your house are a major source of circulating pollutants such as pollen, animal hair, and dander. These contaminants clog your filters, causing them to become dirty more quickly than usual. This clogging will impact the rate of air exchange and can lead to allergies and respiratory issues.

Dirty filters also reduce your system’s energy efficiency and put more strain on the internal parts of your air conditioner. If this issue goes unchecked, it can lead to a breakdown that will require a costly repair.

Changing your filters regularly will ensure that they don’t become too dirty to be effective. If you notice that your filters are starting to look more clogged, change them out as soon as possible. This will help you avoid these common AC repair issues and keep your home cool all year long. If you’re concerned that your air filters might be clogging faster than normal, talk with a qualified HVAC technician to discuss the possibility of changing out your filter more often or installing a more efficient one. This will prevent this issue from becoming an expensive AC repair problem in the future.

Loose Ducts

Ductwork is often kinked and tangled, which can affect the performance of your system. Loose ducts allow conditioned air to seep into crawl spaces and other unconditioned areas, and this leads to weak and uneven airflow. In addition, loose ducts cause your system to work harder and longer to achieve the desired temperature.

You can easily check whether your ductwork is loose by placing your hand against the air supply vent and seeing whether you feel a faint breeze. If you do, then the ductwork is loose and needs to be fixed by professionals.

Another easy way to tell if your ducts are loose is by listening for rattling sounds. These are caused by metal ducts knocking against each other when conditioned air passes through them. You may also hear low-pitched whistling.

If you notice that your energy bills have gone up recently, then you might need to get your ductwork repaired or replaced. A pro will need to access hard-to-reach areas, such as attics and crawl spaces, and this can make the repair or replacement process slower and more expensive.

Duct holes drag down your ductwork’s efficiency and can be the result of debris, damage from pets or construction workers or simply normal wear and tear. Holes can be quite costly to repair and should be addressed as soon as you spot them. Usually, the cost of patching a hole in your ductwork is significantly lower than the cost of replacing an entire section of ductwork. However, the extent of the repairs required will depend on how large the hole is and its accessibility. Also, some states require that a permit be obtained before HVAC contractors can perform work on your ducts.

Faulty Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. The job of the compressor is to compress and then decompress refrigerant to help your air conditioning unit turn warm air into cool air. If the compressor is faulty, your home won’t be properly cooled. If you hear rumbling noises, banging sounds, clicking, growling or clattering coming from your compressor, it’s time to call for air conditioning repair.

A faulty compressor can also cause low refrigerant levels in your system. If your air conditioning technician fills your system with the wrong type of refrigerant, this will cause overheating and a shortened life for your compressor.

Another sign that your compressor is faulty is if your air conditioning isn’t cooling at all or taking longer than usual to cool a room. This is a common issue and is caused by a compressor failure that reduces its cooling ability.

You may also notice oil stains around your unit. This is a sign that the compressor is leaking. If you see oil leaking from the compressor, call our team immediately.

Faulty suction lines are also a sign of a failing compressor. If the suction lines are damaged, they will increase the pressure on the compressor and shorten its life.

It’s important to keep in mind that repairing the compressor is a task for a professional. An untrained person will likely make mistakes that can lead to a failed compressor. Experienced technicians know how to identify issues, use proper tools and assembly/charging techniques, and are familiar with the intended air conditioner design. This helps them spot problems that a novice might miss. It also ensures that your air conditioner is repaired correctly, efficiently, and safely.

Blown Capacitor

A capacitor is a little cylinder-shaped electrical component that stores and releases power to run your air conditioning system. Keeping these essential little devices in good shape will keep your system working properly. But like any AC unit part, they can wear out over time. When that happens, the capacitor can stop storing and discharging energy to the fan motor and compressor, leading to reduced cooling performance and sky-high energy bills. Fortunately, there are several telltale signs that your capacitor may be headed for the scrap heap.

If you notice a humming sound when your AC turns on, it’s an indication that the capacitor is struggling to start the fan or compressor motor. This is a clear sign that the capacitor is on its last legs and will soon need to be replaced.

It is also common for an air conditioner to turn on but only blow warm or hot air into your home. A licensed HVAC professional should check the capacitor for a faulty reading if your AC is blowing warm air.

To test the condition of your capacitor, shut off power to your air conditioning system by killing the breaker in your electrical panel. Then remove the cover from your AC access panel and find the capacitor, which is usually an oval or round-shaped can with a sticker showing its specifications. Be sure to shut off the power before touching any terminals of the capacitor to avoid potential electric shock. Before replacing the capacitor, it’s important to let it discharge any remaining electricity by placing an insulated screwdriver across its two terminals. Also, make sure you use a voltage meter to ensure that the new capacitor is properly rated for your air conditioning system.