Summer season is here, and everyone’s air conditioners are working hard to keep their homes comfortable and cool. When the temperatures surge higher and higher, those HVAC units have to work harder and harder, but what if your home isn’t cool like it should be? You may need an air conditioning repair company. There’s nothing worse than discovering your unit isn’t working correctly in the middle of a summer heat surge, so pay attention! We’ve put together of the 7 most common A/C problems homeowners face and how to identify them quickly.

1. Dirty Filter

The state of your air conditioner filter is very important to your A/C so it works correctly. The filter keeps dust and pollutants out of your HVAC system, and a clogged air filter restricts air flow to your unit, decreasing its efficiency. If the airflow from your air conditioner is feeling lower or stuffy, check your filter and clean or replace it. A good rule of thumb is to change your filter every 1-2 months. If you’ve changed your filter and your system still seems to be struggling, contact your air conditioning repair technician.

2. Indoor Water Leak

If you see water indoors near your HVAC unit, it could mean the condensation drain of your system is clogged with algae or fungi. If this happens, the pipe backs up and water gathers around your A/C unit. To clean this hose out, pour 6 ounces of vinegar in the drain line to kill the fungi or algae and clear the line. If your condensation line seems to be all clear, you could have a broken condensate pump, which would require an immediate replacement. Contact your A/C repair company.

3. Outdoor Water Leak

When your air conditioner is working overtime on hot summer days, you may see a puddle of water near your home under the compressor of your unit. This could be because of a dry air filter, a broken condensate pan, a broken seal, or even an improper install of your HVAC unit. After you examine the situation and if you are unsure what’s causing the issue, call your trustworthy air conditioning repair tech as soon as possible.

4. Damaged Compressor

One of the major components inside your air conditioner is the compressor. It helps refrigerants performs the heat exchange and it regulates the HVAC pressure. When there isn’t enough refrigerant, the compressor can become hot and will stop working. The opposite is true when there is excess refrigerant—which will lead to increased pressure and cause the unit to fail as well. If you notice the air is blowing warmer, or it’s not cooling properly at all, reach out AC services to your local repairman.

5. Air Conditioner Making Noises

Your A/C unit makes different sounds if there’s a problem, and the type of sound can help you understand the type of problem you’re facing. If you hear a hissing sound, a refrigerant leak could be the issue and you’ll need HVAC services. When you hear clicking sounds as you turn your A/C unit on and off, you may have a relay problem. And if you hear a buzzing sound, it could mean a faulty electrical component. If you hear funny noises coming from your system, call your local air conditioning repair company.

6. Refrigerant Leak

If your air conditioner isn’t cooling, it could mean that you have a refrigerant leak, and that could mean you need HVAC services. When refrigerant levels are low, the temperature from the A/C unit will vary, and the HVAC unit won’t perform as it normally should. Refrigerant leaks can result in frozen coils, damaged compressors, high power consumption and low efficiency, causing your unit to break down or run less efficiently. If you notice warmer air or lower pressure coming from your vents, inspect your air conditioner and see if you notice any refrigerant leaks. Or contact your local air conditioning repair company to come inspect your unit for you.

7. Malfunctioning Thermostat

A malfunctioning thermostat is one of the most common problems with home air conditioners not working. For instance, if your A/C unit is running short cycles, and your home feels warmer than usual, a faulty thermostat could be the culprit. Check your thermostat’s batteries to make sure they’re working properly and remove the cover to see if you notice any corrosion build-up or excessive dust. If you see that your thermostat needs cleaning, don’t try to tackle that chore on your own. Contact your local A/C repair business to help you clean or replace your thermostat to fix the issue.

The above problems are common issues homeowners face when their air conditioners stop working properly. It’s important that you pay attention in these warmer months and make note of any changes in temperature or air flow coming from your air conditioner before a small problem becomes a large one. When you catch these problems early, you can contact your local A/C repair technician and they can help you assess your issues and hopefully a replacement A/C unit won’t be necessary.

If you’re facing air conditioning problems in the Salt Lake valley, 1^st American Plumbing, Heating & Air can help answer any questions you may have and send out one of our trustworthy technicians to check out your HVAC unit in a timely manner. Simply call us at (801) 477-5818 to speak to one of our friendly staff members to get scheduled for a visit soon. You can also contact us by filling out the contact form located here.