Avoid AC Meltdown: Preventative AC Repair is Key

Sudden AC Failure: Common Causes and AC Repair Solutions

Having an air conditioner break down during the hottest part of the summer is a real nightmare. It happens, though. One day, the home is cool and comfortable, and the next day, the inside air feels like the outside air—hot and humid. Sometimes, there is no warning, but that is not always the case. Let’s examine some causes of sudden air conditioner failures.

Slow Decline Failure

• It is important to know the approximate age of the air conditioning system. The useful life for air conditioning systems ranges between 15 and 20 years; regular maintenance can add a few years to this range. If you own an older system and do not plan for replacement, it may just be a matter of time.
• One of the most frequent reasons for sudden loss of cooling is a clogged air filter. The air filter collects dust, pollen, and other airborne particles with every heating and cooling cycle. The surface of the filter gets completely covered, restricting the airflow coming through it. With reduced airflow, the air conditioner cannot function properly and eventually stops altogether. While the failure might seem sudden, it has been developing over time.
• Electrical components experience wear and tear with every heating or cooling cycle. It is impossible to see or hear, but it happens anyway. Trouble arises when one sensor or switch weakens. This puts stress on other parts and the problem can cascade.

Reasons for Sudden Failure

• A tripped circuit breaker can certainly lead to sudden air conditioning loss, but that is an easy fix. Turn the breaker completely OFF and turn it back ON. If it trips again, this indicates an electrical problem that will need to be repaired.
• If the air conditioner has power, but the air is hot, turn the system off, and check the air filter. If a new filter does not restore cooling, check the thermostat. Make sure the temperature setting is correct, and it is set to COOL. If the filter and thermostat are correct, step outside to the condenser unit. Take the side covers off and check to see if the sides are coated with dirt, leaves, or lawn clippings. While the system is off, use a garden hose to wash the debris away from the condenser sides. Turn the system back on to test the results.
• The condenser cools the hot refrigerant gas before it reaches the compressor again. If none of these solutions restores the air conditioner’s cooling, but the condenser was really dirty, this may have caused the refrigerant compressor to overheat and fail. This is not a good scenario, since repairing the compressor is very expensive.
• If the condenser was relatively clean and none of these solutions restores the air conditioner’s cooling, the refrigerant (commonly called Freon) may have leaked out of the network of tubes. Since the compressor puts the gas under pressure, the Freon will escape quickly. The compressor will often overheat while the Freon is escaping, so do not run a system when it is blowing hot air.

The key to avoiding an unexpected breakdown is to schedule regular preventative maintenance on the air conditioner. During maintenance, a technician will:

• Clean away dirt and debris from the condenser
• Check the efficiency and viability of electrical parts
• Replace them as necessary, to keep small problems from turning into large problems
• Test the Freon levels
• Test the performance of the system to ensure it is cooling properly

When Your AC Fails: You Need Quick Checks and AC Repair Solutions

Houston Trane can connect you with a Trane Licensed AC repair Contractor who can answer your questions about AC repair and installation. To find a local Trane AC repair Contractor, visit our Local Dealer search tool.