It is only normal to want to fix your heating and cooling air conditioning immediately. Like any appliance, air conditioners may stop running or not function properly. If your AC does not turn on or does not work at all, you may need a Houston air conditioning repair. However, while you might handle various issues yourself, you might need the help of a knowledgeable and qualified air-conditioning repair person to handle certain types of AC repairs.
What Should You Do if Your Air Conditioner is Not Working?
Some of the most common AC issues include:
- AC is not cooling, yet it runs
- The desired set temperature is not reached
- The air conditioner will not turn off
- The air conditioner makes strange, unfamiliar noises
- Water leads from the HVAC system
- Room temperature is too hot or too cold
The AC Is Not Turning On
Suppose your air conditioner is not turning on. Firstly, you should check the unit outside to see whether your condenser is running. Ensure your unit is plugged in and your thermostat is set correctly. Some thermostats are tricky, but you might save yourself some time by reading the manual.
Lower your thermostat by 5 to 10 degrees to determine if that will fix your problem. Then check to see if a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse is to blame. However, if your AC is not turning on or your evaporator coil is frozen, you might have to deal with a severe problem and should contact an HVAC professional to repair your HVAC system.
The AC Is Not Cooling
On the other hand, if your AC is turning on but is not cooling, you might have a blocked or dirty air condenser. You will first need to verify the outside unit and remove any debris blocking the air circulation. Then, see if your air filter is clean and have it replaced if dirty. Otherwise, if it restricts the air to the evaporator cold, this may freeze.
If your AC runs often or you have pets, you might need to change your air filter more frequently. Separately, if your HVAC system is not cooling the air, you might have an issue with your refrigerant or compressor. At this stage, you need licensed and certified help from an HVAC professional.
Other Scenarios
Another scenario includes your outdoor AC compressor making noises. These can sometimes make humming, buzzing, or grinding noises. If you notice the compressor humming when you switch the thermostat to cool, the issue might be a bad capacitor or a low-voltage transformer. Additionally, the motor could overheat and shut off when the AC compressor makes a grinding noise. If that happens, the motor will need to be replaced. Ultimately, if the outdoor air conditioner unit makes a buzzing sound, the run capacitor might be defective. If this capacitor runs badly, the motor can overheat.
In all of these situations, you need the help of a professional HVAC technician. You could face complicated issues with your air conditioners, such as failed parts, dirty coils, clogged drain pain, or a refrigerant leak. Such repairs or jobs should be left to the professional to avoid complete damage to your system.