Air conditioners fail from time to time. Whether your AC unit is making noise, doesn’t cool your home or just doesn’t turn on, we’ve listed some possible answers to your question of “why is my air conditioner not working?” and some ways to fix your air conditioner.
Air Conditioner is Making Noise
Most air conditioners make some noise when they are running, and this is normal. If you hear vibrations or loud rattling noises, something could be wrong. Your AC unit could have been installed incorrectly and should be checked by an HVAC technician.
Sometimes people report squealing sounds when their air conditioner is running. This may actually be coming from your air handler, the part of the AC system that regulates and directs air through the ductwork. Most air handlers have direct-drive motors, but older units may be belt-driven. The squealing noise sometimes occurs when the belt connecting the blower to the motor slips. If you suspect this is the case, shut your AC unit off and call a professional air conditioning company – proper diagnosis and AC repairs are likely needed.
Air Conditioner Not Cooling
If air is flowing through your vents, but it is not coming out cold, you might have a stalled condenser coil – the part of the air conditioning unit that produces cold air. The condenser fan will run even if the condenser isn’t working properly. Condenser failure can be caused by a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Sometimes a lack of cooling can also be due to low refrigerant. In either case, it is best to contact a professional to help you diagnose the problem.
Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On
Sometimes mysteriously, an air conditioning unit won’t come on, but the fan inside the home seems to be working OK. There can be several reasons for this. The first thing to check is your thermostat to make sure it is working properly. A broken thermostat can easily disable an entire AC system.
If you are able to rule out the thermostat as the problem, check your home’s circuit breaker and the circuit breaker outside near the unit. If you suspect it may be the breaker, it doesn’t hurt to try to figure out what might have caused it to trip before you attempt to reset it. If you flip the breaker and it does trip again, don’t repeat the process. If this isn’t working to remedy the situation, call a professional!
Framingham AC Experts
Anytime your AC fails or you suspect something is mechanically wrong, contact an HVAC expert, like those at Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to help you diagnose the problem. And remember, a little air conditioning maintenance performed regularly can go a long way in keeping your AC unit running smoothly!