1. Compressor Issues

The compressor is the heart of the air conditioning unit. It gives energy to the refrigerant and forces it through the coils to carry out heat exchange. A malfunctioning compressor will not be able to cool the house adequately. It is, therefore, important to ensure that the manufacturer-specified amount of refrigerant is maintained in the unit. If the refrigerant is in excess, it will return to the compressor, causing it to fail. Alternatively, if the refrigerant is too low, the refrigerant could get hot and cause the system to seize.

2. Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks can adversely affect the performance of the HVAC unit. If the unit is working and you notice a lot of temperature fluctuations, or the cooling is not adequate, it could be due to a leak in the refrigerant. If left unattended, it could possibly overheat the compressor and seize up. This would require a professional technician to detect, fix, and test the leak. The unit then needs to be recharged with refrigerant so that it matches the manufacturer’s specifications.

3. Blown Out Fuses

Fuses prevent the motor or compressor from overheating. If the motor has reached its age limit, the breaker might continually trip, causing the fuse to fail often. If you have access to the fuse area, check to see if it has blown before calling the technician.

4. Coils

The air conditioner unit has two types of coils: the evaporator and condenser coils.

Evaporator coils absorb heat from the air and circulate it as cold air. They can get corroded if located outside, and it’s important to maintain them at least once every 3 years.

Condenser coils can accumulate dirt due to the elements, which can affect their performance. It’s recommended that they be cleaned annually by a licensed technician.

5. Thermostat Malfunction

With the advancement of technology, thermostats designed to control the heating and cooling of your home have also become more complex over the years. If incorrectly operated, they can malfunction and trigger the unit to operate inefficiently.

Programmable thermostat versions need to be reset and re-programmed at the end of each season to avoid any malfunctioning. This is best left to an expert who can program the thermostat so that it dynamically maintains a comfortable temperature as per how many occupants are present in a room.

6. Blocked filters

Filters serve the important task of keeping dust and debris from entering the ducts and the HVAC equipment. If any of the filters become clogged, the unit becomes overloaded. This results in stuffy air, as well as hot and cold spots in the room. It is best to change the filters based on the manufacturer’s recommendation, which is generally once every 2 months.