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Here’s what might be behind your air conditioning problems

  • air conditoner problems

Step one in fixing any problem is acknowledging that you have a problem at all.

When it comes to air conditioning, it’s usually pretty easy to tell when something has gone wrong – if your system isn’t keeping you cool, something’s not right, plain and simple.

Unfortunately, not all air conditioning problems are so easy to diagnose.

In our experience, there are a number of problems that don’t present with obvious symptoms, and which can be virtually impossible to diagnose without taking your system apart – something that most homeowners simply can’t do.

In addition to performing inspections of your system and diagnosing air conditioner problems, our team can also help explain some of the more subtle signs you should be on the lookout for!

 

How do you diagnose an air conditioner problem?

The common problems with air conditioners, and their symptoms

Why has my AC suddenly stopped working?

If we’re going to talk about the symptoms of a faulty air conditioner, then we may as well start with the most obvious one!

If your AC doesn’t work when you turn it on, something’s wrong, end of story.

There are many air conditioning problems that can cause your system to not work as efficiently or effectively. 

In our experience, the most common causes typically lie with a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse, an improperly set or faulty thermostat, or an internal switch being off.

Unlike many other issues, each of these issues can result in a complete and total stop to your system – something that’s pretty darn hard to miss!

Unwelcome smells and odours

“What’s that smell?”

Plot twist: there’s a chance it could be emanating from your air conditioner!

Every air conditioning system has a filter system, designed to keep all the cool air your system blows into your home clean, and free of airborne bacteria and debris.

Over time however, this filter can get clogged with debris, dirt and more – all of which has a bit of a smell to it. Let this build up, and this in turn can result in all sorts of nasty air conditioning unit smells wafting into your home every time you turn your system on.

These filters need to be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid this happening. Luckily, the solution is pretty simple when you start noticing strange smells coming out of your aircon:  just give your filters a good clean!

High power usage

Sure, your home might feel cool, and it may seem that your system is doing its job.

When your quarterly power bill comes in however, you notice that your energy usage is unexplainably high – how could this happen? And more importantly, what caused this?

Here’s a tip: it could be your air conditioner.

While energy-efficient technology has helped, air conditioning systems still use up a lot of energy. Naturally there are a number of faults in your cooling system that can drive your power bills up.

We aren’t just talking about electrical and wiring faults, either – it could be a sign of issues such as low refrigerant levels. These types of issues can reduce your system’s overall effectiveness, forcing it to work overtime in order to deliver the same cooling.

And that means higher energy bills!

 

How do I fix my air conditioner?

Now we’ve covered some of the more common air conditioning issues, as well as the symptoms. Now it’s time to talk about the subject you’re probably here for: fixes!

You’re probably prepping to do a little repair work of your own in order to avoid booking an aircon service – however, not all air conditioning problems can be fixed with a bit of elbow grease.

Just remember that the exact solution will depend on the exact problem, and many of them can only be performed by a licensed professional.

How to clean air conditioning filters

We mentioned above that unlike many other repairs, filter cleaning is something you can easily do on your own.

In split systems, the filter is located in the inside unit, and can be easily accessed by essentially popping the lid off. In ducted systems, you’ll see a return grille located either in your ceiling or in one of your walls.

From there, you can vacuum most of the debris and dust out – for a truly thorough clean however, we recommend removing the filter and washing them with warm water and detergent (just be sure to let them dry completely before putting them back).

If this doesn’t resolve your cooling issues however, it may be time for aircon service in Brisbane.

air conditioning unit smells

How do I check my AC Freon level?

Air conditioning refrigerants – often collectively referred to as Freon (although that isn’t strictly correct) – are what power the entire cooling process. Naturally, any issues with the refrigerant supply or level can affect your system’s ability to do its job.

Just one question: how do you check your refrigerant levels?

Thankfully, many systems make this easier by reading the thermostat. These systems will alert you with a little pop up when they detect refrigerant levels are low, allowing you to call an expert to top your system up.

And make no mistake, this is something that needs to be done by a professional – let’s just say that there’s a very good reason why you need a refrigerant handling license to work with air conditioning coolant!

But what if your system is one of those older ones that doesn’t have a read-out? In these cases, the best thing you can do is get in touch with a professional to diagnose your system.

How do I reset my air conditioning unit?

While not all issues fall under this category, there are a small number of air conditioning problems that can be fixed by simply resetting your system. Certain error codes that pop up can be resolved by turning your system on and off, just like your home computer.

Do air conditioning units have a reset button?

Thankfully, many systems will have a reset button somewhere on the outdoor compressor. If you still have your system’s manual, be sure to check where your system’s reset is located, and how to use it.

Not all systems will have a simple on-off switch like other household appliances, however. Luckily, there are other ways of resetting your system!

For example, you could try to find the switch in your switchboard that corresponds to your system and manually shut it off that way. Just remember to leave it off for about half an hour for the charge to dissipate out of your system.

 

Get your system looked after by a leading air conditioning team in Brisbane

With over 30 years of experience under our belts, Tri-Tech is one of the most experienced air conditioning teams in Brisbane.

It isn’t just our experience, either – we’re also licensed technicians for a number of Australia’s most trusted air conditioning brands. You don’t need to go to a Mitsubishi Electric AC service centre or talk to the dealership for Daikin AC service near you.

Our team works with homes and businesses all over Brisbane, servicing all sorts of systems and fixing each of the issues above, as well as many ones we weren’t able to cover.

Whether you need a repair or want to get our opinions whether you should upgrade your AC unit, our team is ready to help

All you need to do is get in touch – give our team a ring today on (07) 3394 0222, or click here to get in touch online.

2023-10-16T00:38:20+00:00 10 May 2021|Repair, Service, Systems|