Most Common Florida AC Problems and How to Solve Them

It can be one of the most frustrating experiences when your air conditioner (AC) is down and you don’t know why. While DIY is never recommended, it can be handy to know a few ways to troubleshoot various problems you’re having with your AC unit. It’s always handy to have a few essential AC maintenance supplies in your home, just in case you need to DIY a thing or two. This is a simple guide to troubleshooting a few common Florida AC problems, and it will hopefully ensure that you are able to identity what could be causing your AC to malfunction.

Common Florida AC Problems and Solutions

1. Frozen Coil
   A frozen coil is often the result of an airflow issue – this means that your AC is now working overtime, but the inside of your home remains humid and warm. Your coil may have frozen because your ducts are blocked or your air filter is clogged with debris.

   A quick fix to the problem, would to be to clean or replace your air filter and ensure that your ducts are no longer obstructed by anything. Depending on how often you’re using your AC, it is important to ensure that you change your filters regularly, at least every 3 months, in order to properly maintain your AC unit.

2. Still not cool enough?
   If the AC unit is not producing enough cool air, you may be dealing with an unclean evaporator coil. This would lead to poor cooling performance and leave you, just a little hot under the collar.

   An easy remedy to the problem, would be to carefully clean the coil and ensure that nothing is blocking the condensor unit. Any debris around the outside unit will cause problems, but if the problem persists it may be time you you to call in a professional.

3. Air Won’t Come Out
   3. If no air is coming out, the fan on the outside unit may not be running or there may be a problem with the blower belt, which will simply need to be replaced.

4. Low on refrigerant
   AC’s that don’t cool properly may be low on refrigerant. You will need to have a professional add refrigerant to solve this problem – not only will an AC technician have the correct supplies, and be able to safely get the job done, they will also be able to check there are no leaks in the AC first that may have caused the refrigerant to leak.

5. The AC is leaking
   This can happen from time to time, your pipes may leak and this causes damp wet patches to form near your unit. Check your condensation drain pipe for any leaks. If it is leaking there is a good chance that your drain pipe is clogged with debris.

   While it is possible for you to vacuum out any obstructions in your condensation line, but it isn’t a task for the faint of heart. By calling a professional to clear out your condensation line, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your line is 100% clear of debris.

6. The AC is making a strange noise
   When the AC makes a squeaking noise you don’t recognize, there is probably a problem with the belt. It may be aligned incorrectly or if it has never been seen to before, it may actually need to be replaced completely. If there is an issue with the bearings in the motor you will probably hear a grinding noise while a popping noise could be a loose piece of metal in your ducts. Another noise to be aware of is a rattling sound which is most likely the result of loose cover panels that need tightening. We have heard all the noises an AC could ever create and will be able to instantly identify the issue without wasting your time.

7. The system won’t start
   While an electrical fault is generally the reason why your system won’t start, you don’t need to worry too much about fixing it. All you need to do is reset the breaker that may have tripped and ensure that nothing else has tripped as well.

   Bear in mind, an AC that won’t turn on may indicate a problem with the thermostat. You could have an issue with your thermostats calibration as it may incorrectly read the room temperaure.

   To check this, set your thermostat to cool and turn down the temperature, then check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker or blown fuse. It’s important to contact a licensed technician in order to replace your old thermostat with a newer digital one, that will be less likely to lose calibration, as this would require electrical work that could be hazardous to your health if you don’t know what you’re doing. At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric, we offer an incredible preventative maintenance plan to take the stress off of you and ensure you’re always staying cool.

If this handy AC troubleshooting guide still hasn’t gotten your unit up and running, don’t hesitate to call the team at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric – because we can fix it!