Why Does My Home AC Only Work Sometimes?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If your air conditioner will turn on, and

your is set properly

, but your system is not cooling you may have a dirty or blocked air condenser. … If your air conditioner is still not cooling air, you may have a problem with your compressor or refrigerant and will need to contact a professional.

Why does my AC stop working sometimes?

You will want to have the unit examined to look for signs of a blown fuse, a tripped circuit breaker, a broken thermostat, or

dirty air filters

. Dirty or clogged filters commonly make AC compressors stop working. … When it's 110 degrees outside, don't set your thermostat at 65. It just isn't designed for that.

Why does my AC work intermittently?

Intermittent cooling is often caused by

the components of your vehicle's AC system freezing up

. Typically an iced over evaporator is the culprit. … There may be numerous issues causing the icing—from a dirty cabin air filter to a blocked evaporator drain or an overcharged system.

Is it normal for AC to kick on and off?

When an air conditioner (AC) turns on and off in rather quick successions, without running for longer periods, this is called

short cycling

. It's fairly common, but when it happens it means there's something wrong with the AC. Do not leave these occurrences alone. … Short cycling also shortens your AC's life span.

What are common problems with air conditioners?

  • Air Conditioner Is Not Turning On. …
  • Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air. …
  • Air Conditioner Freezing Up Outside Unit. …
  • AC Refrigerant Leak. …
  • Air Conditioner Making Noises. …
  • Frozen Evaporator Coil. …
  • Electric Control Failure. …
  • Air Conditioner Leaking Water Outside.

Can a clogged AC filter cause AC not to work?

Many people wonder, “Can a dirty air filter cause my AC not to cool?” The simple answer is

yes

– a dirty filter can create several problems that can hinder your unit's effectiveness. Not to mention, a dirty filter can also lead to premature failure of your system.

Why is my AC filter not getting dirty?

A filter is designed to catch all the air that goes through your air conditioning. Because of this, it needs to fit snugly inside the holder to have a chance at catching the air. … When that happens, the filter won't get dirty

because all that air isn't going anywhere near it

.

How do I reset my air conditioning unit?

  1. Power down your AC. Start at your circuit breaker panel and flip the breaker that powers your AC. …
  2. Find the button. Most air conditioning units are equipped with a reset button. …
  3. Hold down the reset button for 3 to 5 seconds and then release.
  4. Restore power to your AC.

How do I know if my AC compressor is bad?

  1. A Lack of Hot Air Being Released Outside. …
  2. Loud or Strange Noises From the Unit. …
  3. Failure of the Compressor to Turn On. …
  4. Circuit Breaker Tripping. …
  5. Leaks Around the Air Conditioning Unit. …
  6. Warm Air Instead of Cool Air Being Delivered to the House. …
  7. Reduced Airflow.

How do I stop my AC from short cycling?

  1. Check your air filter. Believe it or not, a clogged air filter can cause a wide variety of air conditioning issues. …
  2. Check your thermostat placement. …
  3. Check your air conditioner's refrigerant levels. …
  4. Replace the low-pressure control switch. …
  5. Check the compressor.

How do I know if my AC is short cycling?

Air conditioner short cycling in minutes:

If your air conditioner turns off and back on at intervals of less than five minutes it

is short cycling and needs repair. If your air conditioner turns on and off at intervals of less than ten minutes it is probably short cycling and also deserves a service call.

How long should my AC Stay off between cycles?

Most of the Time, Aim for A

15 Minute Cycle

Ideally, your AC should run for 15 minutes on nice, warm days. Only on those rare triple-digit temperature days should your air conditioner be running almost all the time.

How do you fix an air conditioner problem?

  1. Clear brush and debris from outside unit and surrounding area.
  2. Replace dirty filters.
  3. Check ducts for tears and have them repaired.
  4. Install a programmable thermostat, which saves energy and is more accurate, but learn how to use it properly.

What is the most common problem of air failure on an air conditioning system?

Dirty air filters or blocked ductwork can cause air flow problems in your system causing a frozen coil You can check by visibly inspecting your unit for frost on or around the coil.

Damaged Fan Blades

, Compressor, Electrical Connections and Contacts.

What are the reasons for AC not cooling?

  • Clogged air filter. If the air conditioner does not cool, the air filter might be clogged. …
  • Dirty coils. …
  • Insufficient coolant. …
  • Faulty compressor. …
  • Faulty thermostat. …
  • Defective parts. …
  • High atmospheric temperature. …
  • Undersized AC.

What happens if you dont clean AC filter?

Dirty filters

restrict the flow of cold air which can cause it to build up inside the air conditioner

. The final result could be the formation of ice on the coils. … Clogged filters can cause allergens to build up in the duct system and then release into the air you breathe each time the system kicks on.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.