Are you looking out your window to embrace the spring views, while still trying to stay cool in your North Bay Area home? It may look great outdoors, but if your air conditioning isn’t working inside, it can be miserable. While the May weather in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties isn’t too hot just yet, the heat will be here before we know it, and one of the most important things is ensuring that your air conditioning is ready to take on the task of keeping you and your family comfortable. We are going to review some of the most common AC problems for spring and summer, so you can proactively keep your eyes peeled that a problem may be looming.

The Most Common AC Problems for Spring and Summer

Air conditioning, in this day and age, isn’t just a convenience, it has shifted to more of a “must have”. When your home’s AC isn’t working or isn’t up to par, it can create an uncomfortable situation and make your home less enjoyable. By knowing and watching for signs of an issue, you can try to stop a problem before it becomes much larger.

Below we take a look at some of the most common AC problems for spring and summer that we see many of our customers face.

Your AC is running, but there’s no cool air coming out. If you hear your AC running, but don’t feel any air, or warm air is coming out, there is likely an issue. There are multiple reasons why this may be occurring, and some are easier than others to identify and fix. Some of the main causes of this issue include: a dirty air filter, an air duct obstruction, the condenser or belts have an issue, refrigerant is low, or something else.

Your system is making loud and unusual noises when it turns on and off. Your AC should not be making loud noises and should be no louder than a hum. New sounds indicate an issue. If you notice a hissing, clicking, thumping or rattling, screeching, or buzzing, that is not normal. The new noises could indicate that there is a refrigerant leak, blower or motor issue, the condenser fan motor has a problem, there are loose parts, you have faulty electrical, or more. For any of these problems, you’ll want to contact a HVAC professional as soon as possible.

The system is short cycling (constantly turning on and off). One of the most coming AC problems we receive calls about is when a system is short cycling. This means that instead of completing a full cooling cycle, the AC starts up over and over. This is a serious issue that can damage the compressor. This problem may be caused by something as simple as clogged air filters or thermostat issues, or it could be a much larger concern.

There is liquid or it looks like something is leaking around your AC unit. It’s usually rather simple to spot when you have liquid somewhere in your home where it shouldn’t be; however, an AC refrigerant leak may appear within the unit, so it’s not as easy to detect. If you notice colored stains or liquid near your air conditioner unit, you likely have a problem. It is okay to see some condensation on the outside of the unit, but there should never be excessive moisture or colored stains. These types of leaks can be caused by multiple reasons, and usually always require the help of a professional to resolve the problem.

Your AC will not turn on at all. Talk about a problem! One of the most common AC problems for spring and summer is when your air conditioner just will not turn on at all. The first step to diagnosing this issue is checking your thermostat. Ensure it has power, is set to the right setting, and that the temperature is low enough for it to kick on. If all is well there, check your circuit breaker and power source to ensure it hasn’t tripped and that the unit has power. If that is not the issue, you may have loose wiring or another issue and should call in a North Bay Area cooling expert for help.

There are new unpleasant odors coming from your system. If you find yourself plugging your nose when your AC is on, there is a problem. Whether it’s a burning or musty smell, something isn’t right. Electrical and smoky odors may mean that the motor has wiring issues. If your air filters are clogged, it can cause the system to overheat, leading to burning smells. Mildew smells are related to improper drainage. If you detect a burning smell, turn the AC off right away. Check the air filters. If they look dirty, replace them.

The above are some of the most common AC problems you may face this spring and summer; however, you could have other issues with your air conditioning as well. If you are having trouble with your air conditioner, don’t hesitate to contact Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing, for professional cooling troubleshooting. We will take the time to explain what’s causing your cooling problem and discuss your options for repair.

At Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing we offer annual HVAC service agreements that include comprehensive AC tune ups every spring. This all-inclusive service covers coil cleaning, refrigerant inspections, and more. We are here for you and all of your Marin, Sonoma, and Napa county AC needs.

July 12, 2022

No one wants to deal with a comfort system that is showing signs of inefficiency or having recurring issues. If you have noticed that your AC is not performing as it should and blowing warm air, making new noises, doesn’t work at all, or has another issue, you don’t want you and your family to be without cool air for too long. You should know the signs that an issue may be looming and be aware of the most common AC problems many North Bay Area homeowners face. Let’s review.

What are the Most Common AC Problems?

You don’t need to be an air conditioner or HVAC expert to know when something is wrong with your cooling system. There are common AC problems you could face that are usually easy to identify on your own; however, the fix, may require calling in a North Bay Area cooling expert. Below we take a look at some of the most frequent issues we see.

• AC Will Not Kick On: One of the most obvious issues you could have with your air conditioning is that it will not turn on at all. Maybe it kicked on when you initially started it and now will not come on, or if it wouldn’t start at all, either way, if it’s not working, there is a problem of some sort. The hindrance could be as simple as your thermostat not being set to a low enough temperature, needing new batteries, not being set to AC, or maybe needing to be replaced all together. If you can’t find an issue with your thermostat, contact a local AC repair professional to help you diagnose and resolve the problem.
• New Noises: Your air conditioning should never be making noises that are louder than a hum. If you notice a hissing, clicking, thumping or rattling, screeching, or buzzing, that is not normal, and there is an issue. If your AC is making sounds, it is trying to tell you something, so don’t ignore it. The new noises could indicate that there is a refrigerant leak, blower or motor issue, the condenser fan motor has a problem, there are loose parts, there’s an electrical issue, or more.
• Unpleasant Odors: Much like you should listen for signs of an issue with your AC, you should also keep your other senses alert. If you smell something burning when your AC is on, there could be an electrical issue, the air filters could be dirty and blocked, or there could be another issue. If you notice a musty smell, there could be mold or mildew built up in your unit caused by improper drainage or another source. You won’t want to leave the smell unattended for too long, as it is not only less than enjoyable, it could be impacting your home’s indoor air quality.
• Leaking Liquid: Again with your senses, keep your eyes peeled for signs of an AC problem. It’s usually rather easy to spot when you have liquid somewhere in your home, where it shouldn’t be; however, an AC refrigerant leak may appear within the unit, so it’s not super easy to detect. If you notice colored stains or liquid near your air conditioner, you likely have an issue. While it is okay to see some condensation on the outside of the unit, there should never be excessive moisture or colored stains.
• No Cold Air: Another common AC problem people face is when they hear their AC running, but don’t feel any air coming out, or the air is warmer than usual. If your air conditioning is blowing warm air, there is a reason, and some are easier than others to identify and fix. As mentioned above, check your thermostat for any issues and make sure you have clean unobstructed air filters. If both your thermostat and air filters are in good condition, there could be an issue with your condenser, refrigerant, air ducts, or something else.

The majority of common AC problems are caused by a lack of maintenance. Dirty air filters, in particular, are to blame for a number of issues, including frozen evaporator coils and the blower motor overheating.

AC routine maintenance is the most important investment you can make for your air conditioning system. This not only includes replacing the air filter every 1 to 3 months, but it should also include professional inspections and tune ups as well.

At Bragg Plumbing Heating & Cooling we can help. If you are having trouble with your air conditioner, don’t hesitate to contact our Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County AC repair technicians for professional troubleshooting. We will take the time to explain what’s causing your cooling problem and discuss your options for repair.