Terri Ramsey Beavers Your air conditioner is programmed to come on when the temperature rises above a certain level. It then blows cold air into the space until the temperature is within the desired range. This is a simplified description of a complicated process.
In most cases, the air conditioner works and everyone is happy. If the power goes out then you simply need to survive without it for a short while.
However, if domestic or industrial air conditioning units are incapable of staying on, you have an issue that will need to be quickly resolved, before you damage the unit further. There are several common causes of air conditioning failure. Some of these can be verified yourself, others will need the help of a professional.
Check The Power
If there is a fault in your power supply or a fault with the air conditioner the circuit breaker will trip, cutting the power to your air conditioner. It then can’t cool anything until the breaker is pushed back into position, restoring power to the unit.
If the breaker trips again you have an issue with either the unit, the electrical wiring in the circuit, or the breaker itself. It’s best to call the professionals to look at this further.
Thermostat Issue
The thermostat detects the temperature in the room. When it goes past a certain level it allows a signal to go to the air conditioner which ensures it is on. This cools the air back to the right temperature range.
However, if the thermostat is set too high, the temperature will never rise above it, preventing the air conditioner from coming online. Of course, the thermostat can also develop a fault, if it is set at a low temperature and not causing the air conditioning to start you’ll need to check the power in and out of the unit. This will confirm if it is working properly or needs to be replaced.
Clogged Filter
Another common air conditioning issue is clogged filters. As the filters become clogged less air can get through them. This reduces the unit’s ability to cool the air. It also places a greater strain on the unit, eventually causing it to get too hot. At this point, the safety systems will shut down the power to the air conditioner as the components are too hot. When the unit has cooled it will come back on, but only until it is too hot again!
Fluid Level Low
An air conditioner relies on a refrigerant which extracts heat from the air. The refrigerant moves around inside the air conditioner within a sealed system. If it experiences a leak and the refrigerant level becomes low the unit will be unable to cool the air effectively. This will disrupt the pressure in the system and cause it to shut down temporarily.
There are other issues that can cause your air conditioner to malfunction. However, the inside of an air conditioner is complicated and potentially dangerous. If you have an issue it is advisable to call the professionals.