The Most Common Air Conditioning Faults

Thousands of homes across Brisbane rely on their air conditioning to stave off the sweltering summer heat. Just like any other appliance in your home, air conditioners need servicing from time to time. We recommend investing in professional maintenance every 12 months, especially before summer rolls around. Regular maintenance will go a long way to prolonging the life of your air conditioner and keeping your power bill under control. In between yearly servicing though, there are some common faults you should keep an eye out for in the meantime!

1. Blocked Air Filters

Air conditioners work by drawing up air from inside your home, circulating it over pipes filled with refrigerant and then blowing it back into the room. To ensure the system doesn’t become clogged by the dust and dirt that’s in the air, air conditioners use filters to remove contaminants. These filters need to be cleaned and replaced on a regular basis. Your yearly maintenance appointment will include cleaning the filter, but it’s a DIY-friendly job that you can do yourself.

A blocked air filter can cause a range of problems, including:

• Decreased air quality
• Higher power consumption
• Reduced airflow from your air conditioner
• Reduced cooling capacity
• Increased strain on motors and other components

2. Clogged Condensation Drain

Because they’re used for cooling, air conditioners will slowly collect moisture from the air whenever they’re running. This moisture turns into condensation that’s collected by the system and drained outside through a hose in the wall. These condensation drains and hoses can become blocked by things like dirt buildups, insect nests and foreign objects, causing your air conditioner to look like it’s leaking water.

Your air conditioning technician will check the condensate drain during the yearly inspection to make sure it’s working properly. They’ll also have special pipe cleaning tools they can use to clear any blockages that are causing leaks!

3. Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air

There’s nothing worse than turning on your air conditioner and finding that it’s not cooling properly. In some cases, a malfunctioning air conditioner might even blow warm air. This is a common problem and can be caused by a range of issues, such as:

• Low refrigerant
• Dodgy thermostat
• Blocked air filters
• Blocked condenser unit
• Ice in the system
• Failing fan motors

If you’ve checked your air filter and it looks clean, you’ll likely need to call a professional technician to diagnose and repair your air conditioning.

4. Ice Forming Inside the Unit

The evaporator coil in your air conditioner is responsible for cooling air that passes through the system. The coil is filled with refrigerant that absorbs heat from the air and transports it outside to be disposed of. A lack of airflow through the evaporator coil can cause ice to build up on the pipes. The more ice that builds up, the less efficient the system will be, and in some cases this can even cause your air conditioner to blow warm air.

Ice build ups are usually caused by clogged air filters or a failing fan motor. You can open your air conditioner and inspect the evaporator coil and air filter for ice. If you do find ice, switch the system off and contact a professional to diagnose the problem.

5. Banging, Squealing or Strange Noises

Air conditioners make a little bit of noise here and there. But, if your air conditioning starts to make strange noises such as banging, squealing or clicking, switch the unit off and book a service. Strange noises are often caused by worn or failing components that need to be replaced. It’s important not to run your system until a professional technician has taken a look to avoid causing further damage.

6. Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks are a common problem in both split system and ducted air conditioners. The refrigerant system in your air conditioner is a closed system that’s pressurised during installation. The refrigerant gas circulates throughout the system while the air conditioner is running, and any leaks will impact the air conditioner’s ability to cool your home.

Leaks can be difficult to detect because refrigerant is a gas at room temperature. If you notice that your air conditioner is struggling to blow cool air, a professional technician will be able to locate and repair the leak.

Is It Time to Have Your Air Conditioning Serviced? Contact Technicool Today!

Summer is on its way again, so now is the perfect time to have your air conditioning serviced! Technicool works throughout Brisbane, providing expert air conditioning installation, servicing and repairs. Our team comes equipped to handle everything from regular maintenance to major repair work on all split systems and ducted air conditioners. We work with all systems from Brisbane’s favourite manufacturers, so we’ve got the tools and spare parts to take care of most issues. Feel free to contact us at any time to book a service or to find out more about our air conditioning maintenance program!