subject: The Basics Of Air Conditioner Troubleshooting [print this page] At some point in time all homeowners will have to do some form of air conditioner troubleshooting. This could happen when you have no cooling from your system or you hear noises coming from the air handler or condensing unit.
The common problems that will need air conditioner troubleshooting are:
1.Condenser fan motor failure If you hear noise coming from the outside condensing unit, you can determine if it is coming from the fan motor or the compressor. This is done by checking to see if the fan blade is turning and hot to the touch. This is most likely indicative of a bad fan motor.
2.Cooling is not evenly distributed Check your duct work in the attic for possible separation or holes which could be letting out the cool air into the attic.
3.The unit does not cool sufficiently This problem may be caused by a clogged air filter or lack of maintenance. It could also be due to a refrigerant leak. If you have performed maintenance recently and you know the air filter is clean, then contact a service technician for further investigation of the cooling problem.
4.Compressor short cycling on and off This can be caused by low refrigerant in the system. Before calling a service technician to perform a leak test on the unit, try cleaning the condensing coils first.
You will notice that dirt is the most common cause of most air conditioner troubleshooting. Since it is the air filter which catches all the foreign particles in the air, you need to change them frequently to prevent dirt from getting into the system. Performing a preventative maintenance twice a year is best to keep your system clean and operating efficiently. This will help prevent unexpected breakdowns with the unit especially in high peak seasons when you need it the most.
