With Jacksonville’s intense heat and humidity, if your air conditioning system breaks down, it won’t take long for your home to become unbearably hot.

Although most AC repairs should be left to the professionals, there are a few things you can check before calling your HVAC contractor. This guide will help you troubleshoot five of the most common air conditioner problems you may encounter.

Air Conditioner Not Turning On

When your air conditioning system won’t turn on, the most common causes are:

• Tripped circuit breakers: Reset your AC by turning the circuit breaker for the AC off and then back on.
• Thermostat failure: Make sure the thermostat is on and set correctly, and replace the batteries, if equipped.

Other issues that can prevent AC start-up include a bad control board, a faulty contactor, or bad relays, and these should be handled by a professional.

AC Blowing Warm Air Instead of Cold

The air coming out of your AC vents should be noticeably colder than room temperature. If the air is warm, you may have:

• A dirty air filter: Replace the air filter if you have a spare handy, and if the air is still warm, check the condenser unit outside.
• A dirty condenser coil: If the coils are full of dirt, grass, and other debris, the system won’t shed heat efficiently. Turn off the AC circuit breakers and thermostat, then gently spray the coils with a garden hose.

Other issues that can cause warm air to blow from your AC include low refrigerant levels or compressor issues. You’ll need a professional to troubleshoot these air conditioner problems.

Weak or No Airflow From Vents

Airflow issues are usually caused by maintenance problems, such as:

• A clogged filter: Replace the air filter. Poor airflow can make your system work harder to keep your home comfortable, reducing energy efficiency while increasing your cooling costs.
• Blocked vents: Make sure none of your vents are blocked by furniture or drapes, and check near the vent openings for obstructions like toys or debris and remove them.

Check for kinks or damage to ductwork. This would require a professional ductwork repair.

Strange Noises Coming From the AC Unit

Strange noises coming from your AC can be unsettling, but not all of them mean that there’s a serious problem with your system. Pinging sounds can happen as air ducts expand and contract with changing temperatures.

Problematic AC noises include:

• Tapping sounds can indicate that your blower fan belt is worn and needs to be replaced relatively soon.
• Loud banging sounds can mean something is loose or that a bearing has failed.
• Buzzing or squealing sounds can indicate a failure of a fan motor, a bearing, or the compressor.
• Hissing sounds can be caused by a refrigerant leak.

Most of these issues require urgent AC repairs from a trained professional. The most common components in an AC that cause strange noises are the blower fan, the fan motor, the compressor fan, the belt, the compressor, and the bearings for motors or the fan shaft.

Water Leaks or Ice Formation on the AC

If you notice water leaks around your AC unit or ice on the refrigerant lines or coils, your air conditioner is likely freezing up and won’t be able to cool efficiently, if it works at all. It can be caused by a blocked condensate drain, dirty coils, low refrigerant levels, compressor issues, and more.

If your system is frozen:

• Change the thermostat’s temperature setting from cool to off.
• Change the thermostat’s fan setting from auto to on.
• Let the AC thaw.
• Turn the system back on.
• Schedule an HVAC repair even if the system starts working properly.

To prevent a frozen evaporator in the future, schedule annual AC tune-ups. Frequent freeze-ups or clogged condensate drains can lead to water damage and mold growth, causing structural problems for your home and possible health issues for your family.

Schedule Air Conditioning Repairs in Jacksonville, FL

When you need a trustworthy, reliable team to repair or service your AC in the Jacksonville area, turn to United Air Temp. We’ve been a leader in home comfort since 1931, and we offer top-quality service with guaranteed satisfaction, upfront pricing, and special offers.

We go the extra mile for our customers, with more than 80,000 satisfied clients and over 8,500 positive reviews.

Contact us today to schedule AC repairs or maintenance in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, or surrounding areas.