AIR CONDITIONING

TROUBLESHOOTING
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is a systematic approach to solving a
problem. The goal of troubleshooting is to determine why
something does not work as expected and explain how to
resolve the problem.
The first step in the troubleshooting process is to describe the
problem completely.
This step includes asking yourself basic questions:
 What are the symptoms of the problem?
When you start to describe a problem, the most obvious
question is “What is the problem?” This question might seem
straightforward; however, you can break it down into several
more-focused questions that create a more descriptive picture
of the problem.

These questions can include:

 Who, or what, is reporting the problem?
 What are the error codes and messages?
Where does the problem occur?
Determining where the problem originates is not always easy,
but it is one of the most important steps in resolving a
problem. Many layers of technology can exist between the
reporting and failing components.
 When does the problem occur?
To develop a detailed timeline of events, answer these
questions:
 Does the problem happen only at a certain time of day or
night?
 How often does the problem happen?
 What sequence of events leads up to the time that the
problem is reported?
 Does the problem happen after an environment change,
such as upgrading or installing software or hardware?
Under what conditions does the problem occur?
Knowing which systems and applications are running at the
time that a problem occurs is an important part of
troubleshooting. These questions about your environment can
help you to identify the root cause of the problem:
 Does the problem always occur when the same task is
being performed?
 Do any other applications fail at the same time?
MOST COMMON AC PROBLEMS
Electrical Problems: No Power/ AC Does Not
Turn On
When you initiate your air conditioning
troubleshooting review, the most common fear
might be that you will turn your unit on and hear no
sound. This can arise solely from the reasons for
broken electrical parts and faults in the wiring that
services it or could be something as simple as a
blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker
Whenever this happens, you need to reset it on the
circuit breaker panel. However, if the AC still does not
turn on, you may be having trouble with the
thermostat of your AC. In some cases, the problem
can be because of the blower belt.
Electrical Problems: AC does not Turn Off
If your air conditioner is repeatedly running and
cannot reach a set temperature, it might be the
reason for the accumulation of dust and grime in
your AC filter. This problem can lead to frozen AC
coils; the regular AC maintenance is the solution to
deal with this.
On the other side, if your AC unit can cool at the
desired temperature but continuously running all the
time anyway, this can be an issue with the controls.
Checking your thermostat and relay switches is a
good idea whenever you have trouble turning your
AC off. In most cases, you need to replace your
thermostat to fix this problem.
Low Refrigerant Charge
Low refrigerant means low pressure that eventually
results in low temperatures, freezing the evaporator
coil. In most cases, a leak is the only reason why your
AC would be low on refrigerant. Only qualified and
licensed AC technicians can detect this problem, so
don’t try to fix it yourself.
Thermostat Malfunctioning
When you have a malfunctioning thermostat, or it is
not correctly calibrated, you will have trouble
switching to your AC unit. The dial-type thermostats
are more often subject to calibration problems, but
sometimes the newer programmable thermostats are
also not easy to program. When initiate air
conditioning troubleshooting, you should consult
your thermostat manual to make sure you have
precisely programmed your thermostat.
Condenser Problems
Faulty tubes and leaks within seals cause condenser failure.
After extensive use, these tubes can break, and a professional
technician can repair them to make your AC work again.
Unwanted particles and debris often lead to condenser
problems. The coil of your AC is filled with refrigerant. It
absorbs the heat from the surrounding air . If something goes
wrong with the airflow, the evaporator coil becomes
excessively cold, and a layer of ice builds up on the outside. A
faulty condenser will cause the AC to throw warm or no air at
all.
Leaking or Dirty Ducts
The ductwork that runs through the ceilings and the
walls carries the cooled air from your AC throughout
the space. Sometimes, careless workers or rodents
can cause breaks or holes in the ducts, and that
expensive cooled air gets trapped inside your walls.
Naturally, dirty or leaking ducts will make your AC
work harder and increase your electricity bills.
Dirty or Clogged Filter
If your HVAC system filter is dirty or clogged, your air
conditioner overheats. Your AC works harder to
overcome the problems that arise due to a blocked
filter. As there is more pressure on your AC unit, your
air conditioner heats up efficiently. When your AC
filters remain dirty for a long time, your AC will end
up consuming more energy, escalating your utility
bills.
However, you can take the filter out of your furnace
to clean it easily. Once you remove it, clean the filter
thoroughly by washing it under warm water. Dry your
filter and reinstall it to check if the air conditioner is
cooling the surroundings. If the problem persists, you
may need to buy a new filter to replace the old one.
Air Flow Problems: Damaged or Worn parts of
Motor

If your AC fan doesn’t start when you switch on your

AC, it is clearly a faulty motor. Whenever your AC
functions without the fan circulating air, this problem
results in freezing the evaporator coil. Hence, your AC
is likely to suffer more damage. If you suspect a
damaged motor, turn your AC off and get in touch
with a technician.
Air Flow Problems: Filthy Fan Blades
Your AC equipment can suffer from elements such as
pollution and fog, mainly the fan in your outdoor
unit. The speed of your AC fan can slow down
significantly if the blades get dirty. Layers of grime
and dirt can put a strain on your AC’s motor and lead
to damage. Ensure you regularly clean your AC fan
blades, as dirty blades will cause airflow problems.
Remove Debris around Outdoor Unit
Cleaning the outside AC unit can extend the lifespan
of your AC. Another thing you can do as part of your
AC routine maintenance is removing any sticks,
branches, or leaves from the outdoor unit. Make
sure all shrubs and plants are away from your AC
unit so you can enjoy better airflow and improved
efficiency.
Drainage Difficulty
Dirt block your AC’s drainage pipe, blocking the
condensate from flowing out via the drainage system.
When this happens, the water does not flow
outwards, and it overflows to the central air
conditioning unit. For that reason, your AC starts
leaking water. If you clean your AC regularly, you can
avoid this problem.
Unusual Noise
When your AC continues to make loud and unusual
sounds, you must track down the source of these
problems. Sometimes, this sound is like a whine or a
whistle. Airflow issues may be the culprit behind these
problems, so you may need to check the ventilation
points of your AC.
The annoying noise could be due to operational
inefficiency, increasing your energy bills. With regular
maintenance and inspection, you can take care of
your AC’s unusual sounds.
Issues with Electrical Parts: Loose Wiring or
Wrong Fuse
Whenever there is an issue with your AC wiring, the electrical
wires receive more current than usual, leading to a short
circuit. Not only can this unfortunate incident damage your
equipment, but it can also lead to a fire hazard. Worn-out
wires or wiring issues result in lousy capacitor performance
or fuse problems. Faulty wiring can trip the circuit breaker
whenever you turn on your AC. In extreme cases, bad wiring
or a wrong fuse may not let your AC start at all.
Loose Connection
Different electrical wires supply current to various
components of your AC’s equipment. Over time,
wires can lose contact with the power source or the
parts because of daily wear and tear. When
connections become loose, current to the affected
parts and malfunctions can result in more damage
Exposed Wires
If you have a bare wire around the AC unit, it can
result in an unfortunate fire hazard or even
electrocution. If someone gets in contact with a live
wire, they can get electrocuted. Make sure there are
no pinched or stripped wires in your system.
Sometimes, these wires hide behind walls or
pathways, and you have a hard time locating them to
prevent an accident. Professional technicians can
check for any broken and hidden cables to make sure
everything is safe.
Bad Capacitor
Capacitors cycle on and off a thousand times a
second while the compressor is running. The life
expectancy of the compressor is directly related to
the age of the capacitor.
Whenever you are having problems with the capacitor
of your air conditioner, you need to call your AC
technician. He may replace it with a capacitor with
the same rating as the one that came with your
system to match with the AC motor.
AC trips the Circuit Breaker
The real problem here is usually with the breaker and
not the AC itself. Many wires connect with the switch
and suffer from damage over time. Sometimes, the
breaker itself has problems, and you have to replace
it. If your breaker keeps tripping, your air conditioner
comes under a lot of strain, leading to compressor
failure. Whenever this happens, your entire AC unit
fails. Make sure you get your AC’s breaker checked to
know whether you need a replacement.
Replace the AC Contactor

The contactor refers to a switch, located in the

outdoor part of the AC unit. It comprises a metal
plunger, a control coil, and one or multiple sets of
electrical contacts. This switch turns your AC on and
off as needed to maintain the desired temperature.
Size of AC
Air conditioners come in different sizes and
dimensions. Determining the right size of your AC will
help you maintain it easily. Consulting professional
technicians to evaluate the right size of your AC
comes in handy because they understand the factors
that will help you choose the best model.
For instance, a bigger size is not always the best
option. If you equip a small space with a large-sized
AC that offers plenty of cooling, it could cycle on and
off too quickly without efficiently removing humidity
from the air. As a result, you will not feel cold but
rather damp.
On the other hand, if you choose a size that is too
small for your space, the unit will consume more
energy yet fail to offer optimal cooling. Hence, the
right size of your AC depends on your space’s needs
and frequency of use.
THANK YOU