Click here to read part 1 and part 3 of our common air conditioning problems series.
Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water
Although condensation happens naturally as an air conditioner produces cold air, any excess water produced by condensation is usually drained outside via an exit pipe. If your air conditioner is leaking water it could be an indication of a clogged or leaking pipe.
The first thing to do when you notice that your air conditioner leaking water is to check the exit pipe from the air conditioning unit to see if it is clogged, as there could be a blockage that is preventing the water from draining correctly. If a clog is identified, try clearing the pipe using compressed air and following manufacturers instructions.
If the exit drain pipe is free from obstructions there may be a leak in the pipe. If this is the case, contact your local air conditioning specialist to repair the leaking pipe.
Another cause of a leaking air conditioner could be a dirty air filter. When an air filter becomes clogged with debris, air flow over the evaporator coil is blocked. This can result in a frozen evaporator coil which will eventually thaw and leak more water than the exit drain pipe is designed to handle. This will cause an overflow of leaking water. Click here to read our article on how to change a dirty air conditioner filter.
Top Tip: If your air conditioner is leaking turn the thermostat off as quickly as possible to reduce the amount of water damage to surrounding furniture and property.
Air Conditioner Making Strange Noises
Air conditioners are inherently noisy when cooling a room, so it can be difficult to determine whether a strange noise coming from your air conditioner is normal, or an indication of a serious problem. Below is a list of strange noises your air conditioner might make and what they mean.
Screeching or Squealing Noise
If there is a screeching or squealing noise coming from the outdoor unit of your air conditioner, it is most likely due to a bearing problem in the condenser fan’s motor, which may need to be replaced. If your air conditioner is screeching, it is advisable to call a professional in to repair the unit before using it again.
Banging Noise
If the outdoor unit of your air conditioner is making a loud banging noise it could mean that something is obstructing the fan. Alternatively, the fan itself may have come loose and continuing use of the air conditioner could cause additional damage. This is usually a simple fix, however, all electrical repairs should be completed by a trained professional.
Rattling Noise
If your air conditioner begins to make a rattling noise it could be an indication that the fan may need to be cleaned. Before attempting to clean the fan, ensure that all electricity to the air conditioning unit has been turned off. Once the power has been turned off, open the air conditioning unit and remove any dirt and debris on and around the blades of the fan.
If your air conditioner continues to make strange noises it is best to cease use of the unit until consulting an experienced air conditioner technician.
Air Conditioner Won’t Turn Off
Another common air conditioning problem is an air conditioning unit that won’t turn off. This is a particularly frustrating problem when your air conditioner is chewing up electricity and increasing your power bill by the minute.
An air conditioner is designed to constantly run until the room that it is in has reached the set temperature. However, no matter how hot it is outside, an air conditioner should still occasionally turn off.
If your air conditioner is continually running and won’t turn off, one thing you can check is the thermostat. If the temperature on the thermostat has been set too low, the air conditioner will continually run in an attempt to lower the temperature of the room to the set temperature. To test if this is the case, simply set the thermostat to a temperature above the temperature of the room. If the air conditioner turns off immediately, the thermostat was the problem.
If the thermostat is still working as it should, another cause of a constantly running air conditioner is an incorrectly sized air conditioning unit. If the air conditioner was recently installed, or if you have renovated the room that it is in, there is a chance that it is undersized for the area that it is cooling.
This means that the unit is not powerful enough to cool the room, causing it to constantly run on overtime in order to cool the room to the desired temperature. If this is the case, you may need to replace the air conditioner or install a supplementary unit.
No matter what the problem may be, if your air conditioner breaks down, call Advanced Climate Solutions. Our team of highly trained technicians is available 24/7 for emergency air conditioning breakdowns. Contact your local air conditioning experts at Advanced Climate Solutions on 0403 254 272 for all of your air conditioning Brisbane needs.
For more information on common air conditioning problems and how to fix them, click the links below.
Common Air Conditioning Problems (And How To Fix Them) – Part 1
Common Air Conditioning Problems (And How To Fix Them) – Part 3
