Should I Repair or Replace a Malfunctioning Air Conditioner?

With the summer months nearing, you are likely going to use your air conditioner. A properly functioning AC system is the best option for home cooling during the summer.

However, over time, air conditioners become old and overused. This can lead to the air conditioner needing repairs or replacement.

This blog will discuss whether you should repair or replace a malfunctioning air conditioner.

While air conditioners work throughout the year, over time air conditioner issues can arise. This can stop the flow of cool air in your home and cause discomfort. Some AC issues result from an aging air conditioner. Other AC problems happen if there is not regular maintenance on the AC unit.

Some of the more common issues for air conditioners are:

• AC not turning on
• AC not blowing cold air
• Frozen condenser coils

AC not turning on

One of the more common issues with air conditioners is that they stop turning on. There can be plenty of reasons why the AC does not turn on.

One of the reasons could be your thermostat. Check to see if the thermostat is dead by switching it on. You can also check to see if the batteries are dead.

A tripped circuit breaker can also be a reason why the air conditioner is not turning on. To check if the circuit breaker has tripped, go to the electrical panel in your home and look for the AC switch. If it is off, turn it on. If the circuit breaker continues to trip, call an electrician immediately to prevent any other electrical issues.

Motor failure can also lead to your air conditioning system not turning on. Most AC systems charge through a capacitor. However, after wear and tear, the capacitor can become faulty and lead to the system not turning on.

If you believe there is a motor failure, call a professional HVAC technician to help diagnose the problem. If there is a problem, they can work to service the air conditioner system.

AC not blowing cold air

Another common issue with air conditioners is that the system does not blow cold air. One of the reasons for this is dirty air filters. Dirty filters lead to reduced airflow and less cold air being blown through the system.

To fix this problem, you should clean or replace the filters every month or two during the cooling season. If the system is in constant use or exposed to dirty conditions, you may need to change it more frequently.

The clogging or blocking of indoor and outdoor coils also can lead to the air conditioner not blowing cold air. For both coils, foreign debris can block the coils. This will stop them from functioning correctly. To prevent this, remove any unnecessary debris and change the air filter option.

Frozen condenser coils

Frozen condenser coils are another major issue that needs to be addressed with your air conditioning system. These coils are important for pushing heat through the condenser unit from your home back outside. However, these coils can become frozen.

Some of the reasons they can become frozen include:

• Refrigerant Leaks
• Dirty Coils
• Dirty Air Filters
• Clogged Drain Line

If you are dealing with this issue, turn the air conditioner off and let the ice melt. You can also look at the air filter to see if it needs changing. The other issues will need professional assistance.

Now that you know the common issues with air conditioners, we can discuss when to repair and replace them.

Knowing when your air conditioner needs repair is very important. In most cases, we suggest an air conditioner repair if your system is less than 10 years old.

One of the most common reasons to repair a malfunctioning air conditioner is a bad capacitor. Capacitors help provide energy during the starting phase to get the motors up to speed. If a buzzing or humming sound comes from outside the unit but nothing is turning on or blowing, then the capacitor could be bad.

Another reason to repair the air conditioner is a clogged condensate drain line. A drain line runs from your system to the outside to remove the moisture from the system. Over time, algae build up and other things can clog the drain preventing it from draining properly.

A failing blower motor is another reason to repair your malfunctioning air conditioner. Blower motors move air inside your ductwork leading to your home.

Unfortunately, most blowers are in hot and humid areas causing them to stop working. If you smell burning or hear banging it is likely the blower motor and you should turn off the system to prevent further damage.

In all of these cases, consult with an air conditioning repair service to repair the system. The licensed technicians will assist you with your needs and help you save money in the short term.

Whether you should repair or replace a malfunctioning air conditioner depends on several factors. It is important to perform maintenance checks on your air conditioner. This ensures that you can catch issues before they become a bigger problem.

If you need assistance choosing whether to repair or replace your air conditioner, call your local air conditioning service. They will help you so that you can get back to cooling your home!