Possible Reasons For Frequent Aircon Breakdowns – Complex mechanical parts make up your air conditioning unit. A malfunction of any one of them can disrupt your air conditioner’s total operation, leading to a breakdown.
When the weather is hot, you tend to use your air conditioner more often and at higher power. Using a damaged aircon that cannot work at its best capacity during these times is unfavorable. To prevent this, you have to know first the specific reasons for an aircon breakdown.
12 Reasons For Frequent Aircon Breakdowns
1. Refrigerant Leak
The refrigerant is a compound that removes heat and humidity from the air inside your room, leaving cool air behind. It is the blood of your air conditioning unit. A leak in the refrigerant lines will result in low levels of refrigerants and inefficient cooling.
Your aircon will tend to compensate and overwork, which may lead to a full-system breakdown. Note that air conditioners do not lose refrigerants unless there are leaks in the lines.
If you suspect refrigerant leak as the suspect why your air conditioner is acting up, contact an HVAC technician. The technician will carry out a leak test and repair the holes in the lines.
2. Dirty Filters
Filters are crucial components of an air conditioner that should be kept clear and clean. Fortunately, you can perform this task by yourself, without calling a technician.
Dirty filters obstruct normal airflow, thus decreasing the system’s efficiency. The air that bypasses the dirty filter might carry dirt to the evaporator coils, which can also cause malfunction.
3. Frozen or Dirty Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils contain refrigerant and are responsible for absorbing the heat from the air. These coils require warm air around them to work effectively. If ice or dirt covers their outside surfaces, they will not get enough warm air that they need.
Hence, the evaporator cannot effectively cool the air. Frozen coils can be a result of the other issues mentioned above: refrigerant leaks and dirty filters. It is better to subject your air conditioner to a professional inspection to know the underlying cause of the breakdown.
4. Dirty Condenser Coils
Like the evaporator, the condenser coils should also be free from dust or dirt. If your AC unit is a window-type, the condenser is on the side facing outdoors. For split-type air conditioners, the condenser is part of the outdoor unit.
Because of their location, condenser coils are more exposed to dirt and small debris. When it gets too dirty, it might cause heat transfer limitations. Your unit might overcompensate, and if not readily managed, the parts will eventually wear out.
5. Leaking Ducts
Leaking ductwork is an issue common to split-type and multi-split air conditioners. If your aircon is not performing as you expect it to, try checking the ducts. These ducts carry the cooled air from the supply to your room.
There should be no holes nor leaks that could cause the cool air to escape to unintended places.
6. Clogged Drainages
Drains help in getting rid of the moisture that your AC unit removes from the air. Like the filters, the drainages of your unit are also prone to clogging.
In such a case, water will back up or fill up the drain pan. Both instances can cause potential harm to the other parts. Ultimately, it might damage the whole system.
7. Thermostat Issues
The thermostat is the control center of your air conditioning unit. It reads and displays the indoor aircon temperature and helps you change the temperature settings. You have to keep the thermostat calibration in check, especially if you have an old, dial-type one.
Incorrectly calibrated thermostats can be the ones causing the problem as they cannot get the correct command from the controls. Check also the batteries and change them if they’re not properly working anymore.
8. Fan Malfunction
An air conditioning system has two fans; each serves a distinct purpose. The first one blows warm indoor air over the evaporator coils that cool the air. Another fan blows air over the condenser to discharge the absorbed heat outside.
Poor airflow results if these fans don’t work well. It can happen due to a defective fan motor, excessive dirt, or belt and lubrication issues. If you don’t repair or replace the fan or the damaged component, you might endanger your AC’s compressor.
9. Electrical Problems
Electrical problems in air conditioners include a bad capacitor, a burnt-out contractor, and faulty wirings. Both the capacitor and the contractor are responsible for running the compressor and fan motors. A weak capacitor cannot send enough jolts to keep the motor running.
A burnt-out contractor cannot supply adequate voltage to power the motors. Faulty wirings will naturally impede electricity flow. In either of these cases, the system will not run properly or won’t run at all.
10. Old Unit
Air conditioners may also start breaking down because they have been operating for quite a while already. With the cycle of wear-and-tear and then repair, your AC will reduce its original efficiency. The hottest seasons will challenge air conditioners, and your old unit may not be able to overcome it easily.
11. Improper Maintenance
Aside from the malfunction in specific parts, frequent aircon breakdowns can also result from improper maintenance. Some maintenance tasks are doable by yourself. These include cleaning the filters and the outside surfaces of your unit.
For more complex procedures, contact a professional air conditioner maintenance service. You can ask them to uphold tune-up services that include inspection of refrigerants, coils, ducts, and other mechanical components. They also offer repair services.
12. Overworking
In addition to a regular aircon maintenance schedule, you should also provide your AC with the break it deserves. High operating power in long durations can lead to overheating, mechanical and electrical issues, or worse, compressor failure.
Reduce your unit’s load. Resort to other ways to keep you cool during hot seasons. It will spare your AC from breaking down and your pocket from additional electric bills.
Possible Reasons For Frequent Aircon Breakdowns – Conclusion
Mechanical systems like air conditioners provide humans comfort and ease in upholding tasks. Regular maintenance and proper management will allow these systems to work efficiently for longer periods. With these in mind, you save money and energy while getting sufficient output.