possible causes of failure in the air conditioner system

Some of the possible causes of failure in the system are listed in the air conditioner troubleshooting guide below. 

No Cooling Effect
Suction Frost
Low Pressure Switch Cuts-Off
High Pressure Switch Cuts-Off
High Pressure Side Too High
High Pressure Side Too Low
Low Pressure Side Too High
Low Pressure Side Too Low
Both Low Pressure and High Pressure Too High
Both Low Pressure and High Pressure Too Low
High Pressure Too Low and Low Pressure Too High


No Cooling Effect Air Conditioner Troubleshooting 

• Refrigerant is undercharged
• Air conditioner unit is under capacity
• Compressor valve damage or ineffective compression
• Too much opening or inadequate opening of thermo valve
• Ineffective contact of sensor bulb of thermo valve
• Expansion valve not effective
• Filter drier or strainer is clogged
• Air filter is clogged
• Evaporator coil is dirty
• Fan coil motor is rotating in the reverse direction
• Fan motor belt loose or slip
• Temperature setting of thermostat too high
• Expansion valve oversized or undersized
• R.P.M of fan coil blower too low
• Duct damper is closed
• Duct resistance too high
• Supply air short-circuit

Suction Frost Air Conditioner Troubleshooting 

• Air conditioner unit is over capacity
• Air filter is clogged
• Room temperature is too low
• Evaporator coil is dirty
• Fan coil motor is rotating in the reverse direction
• Fan motor belt loose or slip
• Temperature setting of thermostat too low
• R.P.M of fan coil blower too low
• Duct damper is closed
• Duct resistance too high
• Supply air short-circuit
• Ambient temperature too low

Low Pressure Switch Cuts-Off Air Conditioner Troubleshooting 

• Fan coil motor is rotating in the reverse direction
• Fan motor belt loose or slip
• Temperature setting of thermostat too low
• R.P.M of fan coil blower too low
• Duct damper is closed
• Duct resistance too high
• Supply air short-circuit
• Ambient temperature too low
• Expansion valve undersized
• Low pressure switch is not working
• Refrigerant undercharge
• Air conditioner unit is over capacity
• Expansion valve clogged
• Ineffective expansion valve
• Air filter is clogged
• Room temperature is too low
• Evaporator coil is dirty

High Pressure Switch Cuts-Off 

• Overcharge of refrigerant
• Air inside refrigerant circuit
• Condenser water flow too little
• Condenser inlet water temperature too high
• Condenser is dirty
• Air in condenser water flow
• Refrigerant discharge valve blocked or closed
• Condenser water circulating in the reverse direction
• Condenser coil is very dirty
• Condenser fan motor is not running
• Condenser fan motor is rotating in the reverse direction
• Poor air circulation of the condenser or air circulation blocked
• High pressure switch not functioning
• Condenser water pump malfunction
• Cooling tower fan not running
• Condenser water valves closed
• Cooling tower fan rotates in the reverse direction

High Pressure Side Too High 

• Overcharge of refrigerant
• Air inside refrigerant circuit
• Condenser water flow too little
• Condenser inlet water temperature too high
• Condenser is dirty
• Air in condenser water flow
• Refrigerant discharge valve blocked or closed
• Air conditioner unit is under capacity
• Condenser water circulating in the reverse direction
• Condenser coil is very dirty
• Condenser fan motor is not running
• Condenser fan motor is rotating in the reverse direction
• Poor air circulation of the condenser or air circulation blocked
• Condenser water pump malfunction
• Cooling tower fan not running
• Condenser water valves closed
• Cooling tower fan rotates in the reverse direction

High Pressure Side Too Low 

• Refrigerant is undercharged
• Excessive condenser water flow
• Condenser outlet water temperature too low
• Air conditioner unit is over capacity
• Ineffective compression of compresor or valve is damaged
• Ambient temperature too low

Low Pressure Side Too High 

• Refrigerant is overcharged
• Expansion valve is oversized
• Air conditioner unit is under capacity
• Excessive opening of thermo valve
• Ineffective compression of compresor or valve is damaged
• Ineffective contact of sensor bulb of thermo valve

Low Pressure Side Too Low 

• Fan coil motor is rotating in the reverse direction
• Fan motor belt loose or slip
• Temperature setting of thermostat too low
• R.P.M of fan coil blower too low
• Duct damper is closed
• Duct resistance too high
• Supply air short-circuit
• Expansion valve undersized
• Refrigerant is undercharged
• Air conditioner unit is over capacity
• Not enough opening of thermo valve
• Expansion valve clogged
• Ineffective expansion valve
• Air filter is clogged
• Room temperature is too low
• Evaporator coil is dirty

Both Low Pressure and High Pressure Too High 

• Condenser coil is very dirty
• Condenser fan motor is not running
• Condenser fan motor is rotating in the reverse direction
• Poor air circulation of the condenser or air circulation blocked
• Condenser water pump malfunction
• Cooling tower fan not running
• Condenser water valves closed
• Cooling tower fan rotates in the reverse direction
• Overcharge of refrigerant
• Air inside refrigerant circuit
• Condenser water flow too little
• Condenser inlet water temperature too high
• Condenser is dirty
• Air in condenser water flow
• Air conditioner unit is under capacity
• Excessive opening of thermo valve
• Ineffective contact of sensor bulb of thermo valve
• Condenser water is circulating in the reverse direction

Both Low Pressure and High Pressure Too Low 

• Fan coil motor is rotating in the reverse direction
• Fan motor belt loose or slip
• Temperature setting of thermostat too low
• R.P.M of fan coil blower too low
• Duct damper is closed
• Duct resistance too high
• Supply air short-circuit
• Expansion valve undersized
• Refrigerant is undercharged
• Air conditioner unit is over capacity
• Not enough opening of thermo valve
• Expansion valve clogged
• Ineffective expansion valve
• Air filter is clogged
• Room temperature is too low
• Evaporator coil is dirty
• Ambient temperature too low
• Excessive condenser water flow
• Condenser outlet water temperature too low
• Filter drier or strainer is clogged

High Pressure Too Low and Low Pressure Too High 

• Compressor valve damaged or ineffective compression

Common Air Conditioner Problems

Common Air Conditioner Problems
Air conditioners often fail to cool the house or office. This is because of certain failures such as compressor overheating, blocked grills, outer fan malfunction, etc. in the unit.

Air conditioners are a blessing to the household, especially to those who dwell in sultry regions during the hot summers. Air conditioners eliminate the discomfort, one would go through, in the hot season. However, these air conditioners can fail without warning. There are some common problems with regards to air conditioners that occur as the air conditioner gets older. From refrigerant leakage, loud noise, electric control failure to frozen coils, there are several things that can go wrong with this power hungry cooling machine.

Size and Installation Issues
Often mistakes are made with the size of the air conditioner installed. It may be either too big or too small for the room. To avoid problems later on, one must ensure that an air conditioner of the appropriate size is installed. Moreover, improper installation of central air conditioning, ends up in leaking ducts and poor air flow. 

Leaking Refrigerant
The air conditioner will be low on refrigerant for two reasons. Either it was undercharged during installation, or the air conditioner leaks. In case of leakage, merely adding refrigerant will not suffice. A technician will have to be contacted, who will fix the leak, test the repair and then recharge the system with the right amount of refrigerant. The air conditioner works at its best efficiency when the amount of refrigerant matches exactly to the manufacturer's specifications. Both undercharging or overcharging affects the performance of the air conditioner. 

Wailing Noise
Loud and sometimes deafening noises can be heard coming from the air conditioner unit. These noises are usually caused by the fan belt. The fan belt can be dislodged from time to time. Restoring the fan belt to its rightful place can solve the problem. While positioning the belt, the bearings in the motor should also be checked. At times lubrication or replacement is needed. 

Bad Odor
Air conditions undergo constant warming and cooling, thereby resulting in the quick buildup of moisture. Inefficient evaporation of stagnant water results in molds, fungi, mildew, etc. thriving in the unit. Irregular changing of filters also spearheads bad odor. 

Problems with the Sensor
A thermostat sensor is present behind the control panel of the air conditioner. It measures the temperature of air entering the evaporative coil. In case this sensor is knocked out of position, the air conditioner may behave erratically or cycle constantly. The displaced sensor must be positioned carefully, all the way ensuring that the coil doesn't touch it. 

Electric Control Failure
All the electrical connections and contacts should be checked at the time of professional servicing. Often over-sized systems go on and off, resulting in the wearing out of fan controls and compressors. Moreover, if the outer fan stops running, the compressor overheats and gets damaged. 

Frozen Coils and Drainage Issues 
Frozen coils and ice prevent the combination of Freon and air from circulating, thereby blocking the unit's operation. Collaboration checks can eliminate this problem. The condensate drain is to be checked for clogging. Dirt collection in the filters and coils results in poor functioning of the air conditioner. The fans and compressor may also break down. 

Blocked Grills
Wipe the fan, motor, fins and other parts carefully, all the while ensuring that the electrical parts do not get wet. Care must be taken while removing the top grill, since it may be wired to the fan. Blocked grills are one of the most common problems in air conditioners, and can be solved by carefully cleaning the air conditioner parts. 

Stops working 
At times the air conditioner may stop working or may even not turn on. In such cases the fuse and circuit breakers are to be checked. The thermostat is to be adjusted to cool and below room temperature. The condenser power and furnace power switches are to be turned on. 

Problem with the Outside fan
The responsibility of transferring the heat from the house to the outside air lies with the outside fan. However, if the outside fan doesn't function properly, heat transfer from the house to the outer air does not take place efficiently. This may cause the compressor to overheat and trip. Internal damage can also occur to the compressor. 

The only way one can prevent all these problems is by investing in a preventive maintenance program. Routine maintenance tune-ups help detect low refrigerant, bad wiring, airflow problems, etc. NATE-certified technicians are qualified to make the necessary repairs.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/common-air-conditioner-problems.html

Easy Air Conditioning Repair for the Most Common AC Problems

Easy Air Conditioning Repair for the Most Common AC Problems

Air conditioning repair does not have to be a hassle. When the AC breaks, the first thing that most people do is call a repair guy. After all, on a hot summer day, the last thing anyone wants is to sit around, sweating in a room without proper air conditioning.

Most people don’t know the first thing about air conditioners. So they don’t even realize that they can fix a lot of common problems on their own. You don’t have to wait around for someone else to help you.

If your air conditioner stops working, it’s important to first assess the problem yourself. This way, you can check to see if you can perform an immediate fix by yourself. In the worst case scenario, if you need the help of a professional, you’ll be able to tell them what the problem is! This will help the professional to finish his job even faster.

So if you want to assess the problems of your air conditioner, run through this list of the most common air conditioner problems to find out what’s wrong:

The Most Common Air Conditioning Repair Problems

The Air Conditioning Unit Won’t Turn On

This is usually caused by three issues:

1. Broken thermostat – Check to see if the thermostat is working. If it isn’t, this can cause the entire AC to malfunction. Check out HomeDepot.com to make sure you’re using a reliable, progammable thermostat.
   

   A broken thermostat can cause the entire AC system to malfunction
2. Tripped circuit breakers – Check the circuit breakers near your AC unit. If you think there’s a problem, don’t just reset the breaker right away. Figure out what the problem was first, and then try a reset. If the breaker trips again, you should call a professional to take a look.
3. Clogged vents – The outside unit is vulnerable to nature. Often times, the vents can get clogged up by growing vegetation, grass, dirt, and random debris. Unfortunately, if any debris gets sucked into the vents it can cause damage to the capacitor. If this happened, you will need to call a professional. To prevent clogged vents, it may help to purchase an air conditioner cover.

The AC is Making Strange Noises

Some air conditioning repair problems you can hear loud and clear!

While it’s normal for an AC unit to make some noise while it runs, some noises can indicate a problem. You should be wary of the following noises:

• Vibrations / Rattling – If your AC unit is vibrating or rattling, it is likely that the unit is installed incorrectly. Have a professional check to ensure a proper installation
• Squealing – Some older units are driven by belts rather than motors. A squealing noise can occur when the belt connected to the blower has slipped. If this happens, you should immediately turn off your AC and seek the help of a professional.

The Air Conditioner Is Running Inside, But Isn’t Cooling The House Properly

This is a common air conditioning repair problem. If the AC seems to be working on the inside, your problem may be on the outside. Let’s run through a check list of steps to asses the problem.

1. First, check the unit outside and hold your hand nearby to feel the air. See if you feel any heat leaving the house.
2. Take a look at the two refrigerant lines; there should be a larger and smaller line. Don’t touch the small line it may be hot to touch! and a little one. The larger line is usually colder and should have some condensation on it.

You should have two refrigerant lines: a large one and a small one.

3. If the larger line is frosted, perform the next step. Otherwise, skip the next step.
4. A frosted line means there isn’t proper air flow across the coils of the inside unit. Or the unit is low on refrigerant. Turn the unit off at the thermostat by flipping the switch off, and then turn the fan from “auto” to “on” at all times. This way, the fan will run continuously and shut off the compressor. Once the fan runs for 30 minutes, you can check to see if there’s any improvements in the air flows coming out of the vents. You may also want to consider taking a look at your air filters. If they are dirty, they should probably be replaced.

After several more minutes, turn the thermostat back to a cool temperature. See if your house is cooling, and five minutes later, take another look at the large line outside. If the larger line is cool after that five minute period, your refrigerant level is probably good. This means hot air should be escaping the outside unit. If it’s still only barely cool air, then your refrigerant is probably low.
5. When the large line is not cooler, and the smaller line is not warmer, then you probably have a refrigerant problem or a compressor problem. In both of these cases, you will need to call a professional for repairs.

There’s a Problem with the AC’s Power or Wires

As you constantly turn on and off an air conditioner, it can take a toll on the AC’s compressor and fan controls. Your wires will suffer from corrosion and from general wear and tear. For electrical issues, you’ll often need a professional to stop by and to evaluate the proper solution. Check Lowes.com for any replacement wires needed.

The Thermostat is Not Picking Up the Right Temperature

Indoor air conditioners have a thermostat sensor which measures the temperature of the air that comes into contact with the evaporative coil. If this sensor is bumped out of place, your air conditioner may run erratically. Adjust the sensor by carefully bending the wire that holds it in place. The sensor should be near, but not touching the evaporative coil.

There’s a Problem with Drainage

When the temperature is humid, it may cause clogging in the condensate drain. Check the drain to make sure it isn’t clogged. If it is, make sure the condensate drain is mounted level.

The AC Unit is Low Refrigerant

Your refrigerator needs freon to cool the air. If your AC is low on refrigerant, or freon as it’s often called, it is very likely that you have a leak. Don’t just add more freon. You will often need a trained technician to fix the leak and test if the fix is working. Then he must charge the system with the proper amount of freon. You must make sure that you use the exact amount of refrigerant as recommended by the manufacturer, otherwise even more air conditioning repair problems may arise.

A professional should inspect your AC to see if you have the proper levels of refrigerant

The Air Conditioner’s Outside Fan is Not Working

The outside fan transfers the heat from the inside to the outside.  If the fan outside is not working properly, heat isn’t transferring to the outside and the AC compressor may be

overheating.

The AC Outside Isn’t Even Running

Most likely, the AC isn’t receiving any power. Check to make sure any wires and cords are plugged in and working properly.

The Coil Inside is Frozen

A frozen coil is usually the result of dirty air filters, blocked return air in the ducts, or low freon.

Frozen coils are a common AC problem

For all other repairs, consider calling a repair man. After he gives you a quote, make sure to compare the costs of a repair to the costs of a new air conditioner. Check out the prices of new air conditioners to make sure that the repair is less than the cost of a new unit.

If you still have issues with air conditioning repair, check out these articles for more do it yourself AC solutions.