AC Not Working? Here are some Common AC Problems

Although there may be hundreds of factors why your Hilton Head Island home’s central air conditioner may need to be serviced, there are a couple of reasons that are most common. Identifying them may help you to understand what a technician means when they outline the choices for correcting the problem. Here are the top 5 list of problems that may cause your AC unit to fail. Review the Top 5 list below and if any of these scenarios exist in your home, please schedule an HVAC inspection.

1. Faulty wiring

   Bad, haphazard or uncertified A/C wiring is unsafe and a possible fire hazard. Bad wiring often prevents the system from getting power or can pop the circuit breaker.

2. Low refrigerant

   Refrigerant (more commonly referred to as Freon) is the chemical that cools the air inside your air conditioning system. depleting levels of refrigerant may suggest a leak or problem with the refrigerant system. If your air conditioning system needs to be recharged with refrigerant, typically that insinuates there is a leak. All refrigerant leaks should be detected and repaired. For news about the phase out of R-22 refrigerant in the United States, we encourage you to visit the U.S. EPA website.

3. Outside fan is not functioning

   The fan on your air conditioner outside is responsible for conveying the heat from your Hilton Head Island home to the outside air. If the fan on the outside unit doesn’t operate properly, proper heat transfer does not occur and the air conditioning compressor may overheat and trip the safety overload. Worse yet, it may cause internal damage to the compressor.

4. Outside unit not functional

   This often indicates a lack of power, contactor problems or even a faulty thermostat.

5. Frozen coil

   A frozen coil often indicates trouble with the airflow, such as restrictions caused by dirty air filters or collapsed return air ductwork. Frozen indoor coils could also be the result of low refrigerant.

Experts recommend that the number one way for a Hilton Head Island area homeowner to prevent these simple problems is by participating in a preventive maintenance program. Bad wiring, low refrigerant and airflow problems can be discovered during routine maintenance tune-ups. For all these common issues, a professionally qualified, NATE-certified technician can promptly analyze the problem area and make the necessary repairs. Call or contact us today for an evaluation!