Living in a tropical country like Malaysia can be quite a challenge when it comes to dealing with the heat. This is especially true for those of us who live in the city of Petaling Jaya. One way to beat the heat is to use an air conditioner, but unfortunately, air conditioners can sometimes cause more problems which requires a technician to resolve it. This is because a professional aircon service provider in Petaling Jaya understands the intricate inner workings of an AC unit and how to properly fix it. Here are some of the most common air conditioner problems that homeowners face in Petaling Jaya.
Key takeaways
- Air conditioners can have a number of different problems, some of which can be fixed by the homeowner and others which require professional assistance
- The most common problems are hot air blowing out, exterior fan not working, condenser coil freezing, strange smell from the AC, and strange noise from the AC
- In most cases, the problem can be narrowed down and solved by checking the filter, opening up the vents, and cleaning out the coils
- However, if the problem persists, it is best to call a professional AC specialist for help.
Contents
AC Not Turning On
One of the most common air conditioner problems that homeowners face is when their AC unit is not turning on. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a power outage, a tripped circuit breaker, or a blown fuse. If you find yourself in this situation, the first thing you should do is check your home’s circuit breaker or fuse box to see if there has been a power outage or if a circuit breaker has been tripped.
If everything looks normal, then the next thing you should check is the thermostat to make sure it is set to “cool” and that the temperature is set lower than the current room temperature. Finally, check to see if your AC unit is receiving power by checking the switch that powers it. If none of these solutions work, then you will need to call a professional for help.
AC Running Constantly
If your AC unit is running constantly, it could be because the thermostat is set too low or because there is a problem with the AC unit itself. If you find that your AC unit is running constantly, the first thing you should do is check the thermostat to make sure it is set to “cool” and that the temperature is set lower than the current room temperature. If the thermostat is set correctly and your AC unit is still running constantly, then there could be a problem with the AC unit itself and you will need to call a professional for help.
AC Unit Turning On and Off Repeatedly
If your AC unit keeps turning on and off repeatedly, it could be because of a clogged filter or because the thermostat is set incorrectly. The first thing you should do if you find your AC unit doing this is to check the filter to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. If the filter looks clean, then check the thermostat to make sure it is set to “cool” and that the temperature is set lower than the current room temperature. If neither of these solutions work, then you will need to call a professional for help.
Clogged Filters
One of the most common reasons why AC units stop working properly is because of clogged filters. Filters become clogged over time with dust, dirt, and other debris, which can cause a variety of problems such as reduced airflow and increased energy consumption. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to regularly clean or replace your air conditioner’s filters according to manufactures’ recommendations.
Low Refrigerant Level
Another common problem that homeowners face with their air conditioners is a low refrigerant level. Refrigerant (also known as Freon) helps cool down air as it circulates through your AC unit, so when there isn’t enough of it, your AC unit won’t work properly. If you suspect that your refrigerant level might be low, then you will need to call a professional for help because this problem can only be fixed by someone with experience and training.
Hot Air Blowing Out
If your air conditioner is blowing out hot air instead of cold, there could be a few different issues at play. First, check to see if your thermostat is set to “cool” mode. If it’s not, that’s an easy fix. If it is, then there could be something wrong with your AC unit’s compressor. If the compressor isn’t working properly, it won’t be able to circulate refrigerant through the system, and that will cause the AC to blow out hot air. To fix a broken compressor, you’ll need to call a professional AC repairman
Exterior Fan Not Working
If the exterior fan on your AC unit isn’t working, it could be because of a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. To check for a blown fuse, locate the fuse box in your home and see if any of the fuses have blown.
If they have, replace them with new ones. If you don’t see any blown fuses, reset the circuit breaker by flipping it off and then back on again. If neither of those solutions works, there could be an issue with the fan motor itself, in which case you’ll need to call a professional AC service technician.
Condenser Coil Freezing
One of the most common AC problems that homeowners face is a frozen condenser coil. When this happens, it’s usually because there’s not enough airflow over the coil. The lack of airflow could be due to a dirty filter or closed vents in your home. To thaw out a frozen condenser coil, start by turning off the AC unit and then checking the filter. If it’s dirty, replace it with a new one. Then, open up all the vents in your home so that air can flow freely through the system.
Strange Smell from the AC
If there’s a strange smell coming from your AC unit—like burning plastic or rotten eggs—it could be because of an electrical problem or because something is blocking the airflow. To troubleshoot an electrical problem, start by checking all the wiring connections to make sure they’re tight and secure.
If they are, then there could be something blocking the airflow through your AC unit—like leaves or dirt build-up in the coils—in which case you’ll need to clean them out (you can use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment). If that doesn’t solve the problem, there could be something wrong with your ductwork (the system of pipes and vents that circulate air throughout your home), which will need to be inspected by a professional AC specialist.
Strange Noise from the AC
If your AC unit is making strange noises—like hissing or banging—it could be because there’s something wrong with one of its parts or because there’s something blocking the airflow through it. To troubleshoot this problem yourself, start by listening carefully to identify where exactly the noise is coming from (this will help you narrow down which part may be causing the problem).
Then check to see if there’s anything blocking the airflow through your AC unit—like leaves or dirt build-up in coils—in which case you’ll need to clean them out (you can use vacuum cleaner with an attachment). Finally, take a look at all moving parts (like fans)to see if anything looks loose or damaged; if it does, tighten it up or replace it accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Air Conditioner Problems
Now that we’ve gone over some of the most common AC problems that homeowners face, let’s answer some frequently asked questions about them.
How often should I clean my AC unit?
To prevent common AC problems—like a frozen condenser coil or strange smells—it’s important to clean your AC unit on a regular basis. At a minimum, you should be cleaning the filter every month; however, depending on how often you use your AC unit and the environment it’s in (e.g., dusty), you may need to clean it more frequently.
What are some signs that my AC unit is low on refrigerant?
If your AC unit is low on refrigerant, you may notice that it’s not cooling your home as well as it used to or that there’s water pooling around the unit. If you suspect that your AC unit is low on refrigerant, call a professional AC service technician to come and take a look.
What should I do if my AC unit starts making strange noises?
If your AC unit starts making strange noises, the first thing you should do is try to identify where the noise is coming from. Once you’ve done that, check to see if there’s anything blocking the airflow through your AC unit—like leaves or dirt build-up in coils—in which case you’ll need to clean them out (you can use vacuum cleaner with an attachment). Finally, take a look at all moving parts (like fans)to see if anything looks loose or damaged; if it does, tighten it up or replace it accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a number of air conditioner problems that homeowners face in Petaling Jaya. However, by taking the time to clean your AC unit on a regular basis and troubleshoot any problems that arise, you can keep your AC unit running smoothly for years to come. Now that you know more about the most common AC problems and how to prevent them, put your knowledge to use and enjoy a cool, comfortable home all year long.