Why Did My Air Conditioner Stop Working?

A working air conditioner is a must-have when you live in Southern California. However, air conditioners can malfunction from time-to-time like any other appliance. When your air conditioner quits working, many reasons could be to blame due to the complexity of the system.

Our team at Absolute Comfort performs emergency AC repair in Costa Mesa, CA and surrounding areas, and we can quickly identify the source of the problem and get your air conditioner back on track for summer! In this article, we discuss five reasons your air conditioner may have stopped working and how to proceed.

Dirty Air Filter

Air filters determine various outcomes from your air conditioner, such as indoor air quality, airflow, comfort, and utility bills. If your air filter is clogged or dirty, it is harming the efficiency and effectiveness of the whole HVAC system.

Filters remove contaminants from the air, but letting them get too dirty blocks airflow through the AC unit. This makes the system work harder, and when the cold air backs up on the evaporator coils, they can freeze and trigger an AC shutdown. The easiest way to prevent this is by regularly changing your filter every three months.

Thermostat Malfunctions

It might seem obvious, but if the air conditioner won’t turn on, check the thermostat to make sure it’s set correctly. Incorrect thermostat settings are often overlooked when homeowners wonder why they need AC repair in Orange County, CA and surrounding areas. Another resident may have accidentally altered the settings or sometimes thermostats can have a mind of their own. Either way, be sure your thermostat is on and set to the cooling setting.

If that’s not the issue, it may need recalibration to properly communicate with the AC unit. It may also have an electrical problem and need replacing, which should only be handled by professionals like Absolute Comfort technicians.

Failing Compressor

The AC compressor controls the refrigerant, which removes heat from the air. Due to the compressor containing many mechanical parts, the only way to know what’s wrong is to call an AC repair technician in Newport Beach, CA or surrounding areas. You’ll usually know trouble is brewing, because the unit will make odd noises, trip the circuit breaker, or short cycle (turn on and off repeatedly) before it stops working.

Depending on what’s happening inside the compressor and whether the problematic part is accessible, the most cost-effective option to restore cooling is most likely AC replacement in Newport Beach, CA.

Refrigerant Leak

A refrigerant leak can also cause AC failure. Damage to the copper pipes that carry refrigerant or the refrigerant valve in the compressor limits how much coolant flows through the system, causing warm air to blow into your home. If your air conditioner isn’t cooling and you hear a hissing sound, call a certified professional to locate and fix the leak, then recharge the system with more refrigerant. It is important to understand refrigerant is a toxic substance and should only be handled by qualified professionals!

Electrical Problems

Faulty wiring or damaged electrical parts inside the condenser or compressor can keep an AC from turning on at all. There may be a malfunction within the electrical control panel causing short cycling, for example, or the circuit may not be able to manage the load, so it trips the breaker switch every time the AC comes on. We never suggest homeowners attempting to repair electrical components themselves. An Absolute Comfort repair technician can identify the problem and find a safe solution.

Let the Pros Fix the Problem

AC problems can drastically affect your comfort levels. If you need AC repair in Newport Beach, CA, turn to Absolute Comfort. We can figure out exactly why your air conditioner stopped working and provide a budget-friendly and convenient solution. Don’t suffer the sweltering heat inside your home; call us right away at (949) 240-8560.

For Professional Heating & Cooling Services in Costa Mesa, CA Contact Absolute Comfort at 949-240-8560, Or Request Service Online.