Central Air Conditioning Repair & Troubleshooting

It's Not Cold

• The most noticeable problem with a central air conditioning system is a lack of cool air. When the system appears to be blowing normally, but the air coming from the registers is too warm, there are a few potential causes. If the system is low on refrigerant it may run too cool at the evaporator coil, cause icing on the coil. When this happens it can restrict airflow over the coils and will result in air that is not cold enough to cool the house. Low refrigerant could be due to a leak. Dirty air filters can also cause improper cooling. These filters should be changed routinely several times a year to maintain safety from fires and to keep the system running at a cool temperature.

It's Noisy

• A noisy central unit could be due to several culprits, depending on where exactly the noise is coming from. If it is coming from the registers where the air vents into the house, then you may have a broken register with a vent that is swinging back and forth and making a groaning of squeaking sound. The noise could also be caused by the expansion and constriction of the ducts as the temperature changes inside. You can tap dents in the ducts where they are loose to make them more rigid to control this problem. Loud noises from the outside unit may indicate the fan rubbing against an iced-up coil or debris inside the housing of the unit. Noise from the inside air handler could indicate contact between the fan and the blower housing.

No Power

• When your central air conditioning will not come on at all, begin with the obvious but often overlooked possibilities. Make sure the switch on the thermostat set to the "On" or "Auto" position and that the temperature setting is below the current temperature in the house or it will not come on in the automatic setting. If this doesn't work it may be a lack of power to the outside unit or air handler. Make sure the circuit breakers that power the central air conditioners are turned on and that the outside power hasn't been turned off. The outside power switch is usually located near the unit. Check the reset switch on the indoor unit if all else fails. If none of these solutions works you will need to contact a professional repair technician.

Water Pooling

• If water pools around your outside central unit then the likely cause is a clogged drain line. As condensation drains off of the coils as water inside the unit, the water runs into a drainpipe that leads the water away from the unit. A piece of debris clogging the drain can back up the water and cause the water to pool around the unit. Pooled water could lead to damage of electrical wiring or other problems. Check the drain line and clear it out to solve the problem.