An air conditioning system is a common household appliance that makes sweltering summer days bearable, which is why it is frustrating when you encounter problems that cause your AC unit to stop functioning properly.
Find out the most common air conditioner problems through our handy guide, and how you can solve them at home:
#1 Noisy Air Conditioner
Possible Causes:
- Loose parts or debris
- Faulty fan blades
- Malfunctioning condenser fan motor
- Refrigerant leak
The noise coming from your air conditioner may indicate several problems from loose debris to overworked parts. If your air conditioner is making rattling, clunking, or low whirring noises, it would be helpful to first figure out what issue you're dealing with. The issue may be as simple as debris stuck inside the unit, to broken parts that need replacing.
Read our in-depth article about how to fix noisy aircon compressor.
#2 Refrigerant Leak
Possible Causes:
- Wear and tear
- Corrosion of refrigerant line
The refrigerant is what cools the air that goes into the room and is one of the most essential components of an AC unit. Refrigerant leaks may happen when the unit is old or breaking down, and you will need to have a technician find the leak, and fix it.
Read our in-depth article about ac refrigerant leaks.
#3 Dirty Air Filter
Possible Causes:
- Improper cleaning
- Infrequent cleaning
- High-pollutant area
The air filter can be easily cleaned without the assistance of a technician. A dirty air filter can be the start of a myriad of bigger issues with your AC unit, so it is best to keep the air filter clean by running the mesh through soap and water every two weeks.
If you want to learn more about cleaning your ac filter on your own, then read our guide.
#4 Freezing Up
Possible Causes:
- Dirty filter
- Refrigerant leaks
- Leaking ducts
- Clogged condenser coils
An air conditioner freezing up can be caused by multiple factors but is often due to dirty air filters and evaporator coils. These can be cleaned at home with a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust. For water leaks and other advanced problems, you may need to consult with licensed technicians to diagnose the problem.
Read our in-depth article about frozen air conditioners.
#5 Not Blowing Cold Air
Possible Causes:
- Clogged filters
- Low freon levels
- Low thermostat batteries
- Unsuitable cooling capacity
Your air conditioning unit blowing hot air indicates several issues, but is commonly caused by clogged air filters, or a miscommunication with the thermostat settings. Clean your AC unit and replace the batteries in the thermostat before taking the unit for aircon servicing in Singapore.
If you need more help, you can read our comprehensive guide about air conditioning units not blowing cool air.
#6 Fan Not Spinning
Possible Causes:
- Folded or bent fan blades
- Malfunctioning blower motor
- Broken fan blades
Air conditioning systems have fans that blow the cooled air into the room. When the fan stops spinning, the cold air is trapped within the unit which may cause the AC to freeze up. You can opt to open up the AC to bend the fan blades back into position or have a technician replace the fan motor as needed.
We have published an article about air conditioner fans not spinning. In the article, we discussed the 7 causes of this problem and how to troubleshoot them. So check it out now.
#7 Blowing Fuses
Possible Causes:
- High power demand
- Extreme temperatures
- AC overworking
- Faulty capacitor
An air conditioner may blow a fuse as the circuit breakers prevent electrical overload, but an AC that keeps blowing fuses may have a problem with its cooling system. The most common cause of blown AC fuses is an overworked AC that demands more power to cool the room properly. You will need to contact an electrician or technician to fix the issue.
Aside from an overworked ac unit, there are 5 more reasons why your ac keeps on blowing fuses.
#8 Smells Bad
Possible Causes:
- Refrigerant leaks
- Mold growth
- Stagnant water in the drain line
- Cigarette stains
- Burnt parts or wiring issues
An AC that smells off can be a cause for alarm. Knowing what the smell indicates is a way of diagnosing the issue from inside the air conditioning unit. A burning smell means something is burning inside, while a skunk or rotten egg smell indicates a gas leak. Musty smells mean mold and mildew is growing inside your unit.
Based from our experience, there are 8 common air conditioner smells that every home ac owner should be aware of. Find more about it.
#9 Turning On and Off
Possible Causes:
- Dirty filters
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Failing parts
Air conditioners turning on and off abruptly are short cycling. This indicates that the filters may be dirty, causing the AC to malfunction, or some parts have broken down and would need replacement. Clean your unit to see if the issue blows over, and contact a licensed technician to diagnose the problem if the issue persists.
On top of short cycling, there are 7 other reasons why your aircon is turning on and off. We've laid out these reason in this in-depth article that we made.
#10 Not Working
Possible Causes:
- Faulty parts
- Power outage
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Low batteries in thermostat
- Miscommunication with thermostat
Air conditioners that refuse to work or even turn on cover a plethora of causes from tripped breakers to broken parts. Check for any tripped breakers, change the batteries in the thermostat sensor, clean the filters, and do a hard reset as directed by your user's manual before calling a technician to solve the issue.
Other air conditioning problems
Some other AC problems not mentioned above are found below. You can click on each article to read more information about these issues.
- Air conditioner is not turning off
- Air conditioner lights are blinking
- Air conditioner is leaking water
- Air conditioner is leaking gas
Tips on Maintaining Your Air Conditioner
Regular aircon services in Singapore are a must for any AC brand or model. Here are our best tips to prevent air conditioner problems, and maintain the good working condition of your AC unit:
- Have your AC undergo a general cleaning twice a year (at least every 6 months).
- Verse yourself in common air conditioning problems to be aware of symptoms to watch out for. This will alert you of any underlying problem with your unit, and prevent further damages.
- Have your AC undergo a chemical cleaning at least once a year, especially for air conditioning units that are not regularly cleaned.
- Clean the air filter every two weeks for optimal performance.
- Avoid overloading circuit breakers. Unplug all unnecessary devices and appliances.
- Avoid overworking the AC unit.
For all your air conditioning needs, Luce SG is the best aircon servicing company to provide you with top-quality cleaning and maintenance services for air conditioners across all models and brands! Our experienced HVAC professionals will get your AC up and running again as they diagnose, repair, and solve the issue for you. Find out more about our aircon services in Singapore.
Or give us a call today, and we can schedule an appointment at your most convenient time!
