Arizona is a beautiful, family-friendly place that’s ideal for young professionals, growing families, and empty nesters alike. It’s also home to some of the nation’s most popular natural wonders. You only need to spend a little time here to see why it’s such a popular place to put down roots. Even the impressive summertime heat is bearable as long as you have a nice, air-conditioned home to keep you cool and comfortable during the hottest months.
But what happens if your AC goes out in the middle of a triple-digit summer? If you can figure out the root of the problem right away, you can have it fixed quickly before your house becomes unbearably hot. Here are some potential answers to the question “Why is my AC not working?”
Air Conditioner Leaking Water
An air conditioner not cooling properly can be tough to troubleshoot, but it’s wise to start by visually inspecting the area around your unit. If you notice water dripping or pooling where it shouldn’t, the problem could be due to a water leak. Depending on where the leak is located, it could cause water to trickle into your home or pool outside under the AC Unit. Water leaks can be caused by a variety of things, including a clogged condensate drain line, damaged drain pan, or broken condensate pump.
Keep in mind that it’s normal for a small amount of water to gather beneath the condenser unit on particularly humid or hot days when the unit is working hard to keep your house cool. However, if you notice any pooling of water beneath the unit in cool weather, it’s an indication that you have a problem somewhere. Calling a company that offers AC repair in Phoenix is a good idea anytime you see signs of a water leak in or around your air conditioner.
AC Electrical Problems
If your AC unit isn’t working at all, you may have an electrical problem. Locate your main electrical panel and check for a blown fuse or tripped breaker. If this is the problem, you’re in luck because fixing it simply requires you to replace the fuse or reset the breaker. However, if you do these things and the AC still fails to work or the breaker continues to trip, it’s a good idea to contact a technician for AC repair in Phoenix. He or she will be able to identify the source of the problem and let you know if fixing it requires repairing the AC unit or getting the help of an electrician.
Wrong Thermostat Setting
Every once in awhile, problems with air conditioning units can be surprisingly simple to fix. If you’ve recently experienced an unusually cool day, someone else in the house could have turned off the air conditioner or even turned your system to the heat setting without your knowledge. If your unit isn’t blowing out cold air, check to make sure the thermostat is set to the “cool” setting and that the temperature is set to at least 3 degrees below the current temperature in your home.
Troubleshoot Air Conditioner Capacitor
A run capacitor is located inside the condenser and is responsible for starting the fan and the compressor. If it fails for any reason, your AC unit will fail to run. If you hear clicking noises or strange buzzing sounds in the unit, it usually means the fan motor is trying to start, but can’t do so because most likely the capacitor isn’t working properly.
You may be able to temporarily rectify the problem by manually spinning the condenser fan clockwise with a long screwdriver or another narrow item that can fit through the grille. However, this is not a solution and you should call a professional to come fix the problem for the long term.
Dirty Air Filter or Unit
If you haven’t changed your air filter in a while, chances are that it has collected excessive debris over time. As airflow struggles to get through the clogged air filter, it can cause the evaporator coil to literally freeze.
When this happens, the block of ice that forms in the evaporator coil blocks air flow to the rest of the home. Even if the evaporator coil doesn’t freeze, a dirty air filter can still keep cool air from circulating efficiently and cooling your home. Fortunately, fixing the problem usually only requires you to replace the air filter and continue replacing it on a regular schedule.
Air Conditioner Compressor Not Working
The compressor in your AC system has a very important job to do. It’s responsible for circulating refrigerant through the inside and outside AC units. If your compressor malfunctions, you’ll probably need to replace it.
It’s important to note that the compressor is a very expensive part of your air conditioning system, so it may not be worth the money to replace it unless it is still under warranty. Otherwise, you may be better off replacing your entire outside unit rather than spending the money to replace the compressor alone.
AC Refrigerant Troubleshooting
If you’re wondering “Why is my AC not working?” the problem could be due to a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is a liquid that makes air conditioning possible. It absorbs heat from the air in your home and gives a refreshing, cooling effect.
If you notice a buildup of ice on your unit’s refrigerant line or if you hear a hissing or bubbling noise coming from the line, you probably have a refrigerant leak. Another sign of a refrigerant leak is if your home stays cool at night or on cool days, but won’t ever get cool on hot days.
It’s imperative to turn your AC unit off immediately and call a professional for AC repair in Phoenix if your unit is leaking refrigerant. If you continue to run your unit despite the leak, you could cause irreparable damage that requires complete replacement of the unit.
Improper AC Installation
If an air conditioning unit isn’t installed properly, it can cause a variety of issues that could show up immediately after installation or years down the road. When an air conditioner is not working or doesn’t cool at all, the problem could possibly be traced back to improper installation. If you have any reason to think the company that installed your system didn’t do so properly, it’s wise to call a second HVAC company for an inspection.
If the original company installed the unit incorrectly, the new company should be able to fix the problem by uninstalling, then installing the unit correctly. If the original installer placed a unit that is too big or too small in your home, you may need another HVAC company to take it out and install a unit that’s sized more appropriately for your home.
Call Professionals at Day & Night Air To Diagnose the Problem
If you can’t figure out why your air conditioner isn’t working, don’t worry. Day & Night Air is familiar with all HVAC problems and will be happy to inspect your AC unit. Once we diagnose the problem, we’ll present you with a recommended plan of action so your home can once again become a comfortable place where you can escape the Arizona heat. We also have the fix if your outdoor AC fan is not spinning or working. You can give us a call or contact us online today to set up your initial appointment.
