4 Common Air Conditioner Problems You May Encounter

Air conditioner problems can disrupt your comfort dramatically during hot summer months. In the worst case, it can leak toxic gases in your apartment which can negatively affect your health. Some minor problems you can fix yourself, or ask your landlord. They may decide to buy a newer unit because it makes more financial sense in the end. Here are 4 common air conditioner problems you may encounter:

1. Thermometer Issues

If the thermometer is not working on the unit, it may not come on. This is a simple air conditioner problem to fix, sometimes only requiring new batteries. The selector switch on the air conditioner must switch to cool for the unit to work, which is the purpose of having a thermometer. Check to make sure you set the temperature lower than the room temperature.

2. Contactor Doesn’t Work

You know you’ve got a faulty contactor if you can’t get the condensing unit to shut off. If the heat pump is on all the time, it’s another sign that you have contact problems as well. However, the air conditioner itself won’t come on inside. The problem can be as simple as dirt getting stuck between the points of contact or ice forming on the inside. Your landlord may need to buy a new contactor for the unit, and a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning professional can help to install it.

3. Dehumidifier Issues

Air conditioner problems can lead to your apartment not getting dehumidified the way it would if the unit functioned properly. It could be because the unit is too large for the space you want to cool, making it impossible for it to remove the moisture from the room in time before the air conditioner shuts off. Adjusting your controls may be enough to solve this issue, or leaving the door open where the unit is so that it can work on cooling a larger space. If all else fails, you may need to look for a smaller unit to better fit the space.

4. Gas Leak

Indoor gas leaks can be toxic and the sooner you can detect them the better. There’s a small gadget that you can use to detect gas leaks from your air conditioner. Problems with the units often result in leaks, and you can use devices such as the TIF 5000 Halogen Leak Detector to see if that’s the case. It’s easy to use and can pinpoint the exact spot of any refrigerant gas leaks, the kind found in air conditioning units. If you’re exposed to toxic gases, it’s important to contact your doctor or other health professional as a safety precaution.

Notify your landlord right away the moment you suspect any of these air conditioner problems. Parts may need to be ordered and it might take some time to get a specialist out to fix the issues. If you live in a city where it doesn’t get too hot, then the wait won’t bother you as much. However, you don’t want to risk overheating where it’s always hot.