Few things are more irritating than an air conditioner that keeps turning itself off. Unfortunately, it is a common problem with many possible causes. For example, dirty filters can interfere with your air conditioner and cause it to shut down. On the other hand, damaged wires and refrigerant leaks can do the same thing. It can be hard to identify the root of the problem because there are so many possibilities. That is why it is vital to get help from a reliable HVAC company. You can count on us at Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating to find the problem and help you fix it.
1. The System Is Dirty
If your air conditioner is turning itself off, it could simply be too dirty. The air in an average home is full of dust and other contaminants. That debris tends to build up on your system’s coils over time. That interferes with heat transfer, which can cause your air conditioner to overheat. If the unit gets too hot, it will turn itself off until it cools down.
Dirty air filters can cause the same problem. The dirt in the filters restricts airflow, and with less air flowing through the system, your AC has to work harder with less to work with. As a result, it can have trouble transferring heat, potentially making your coils freeze (among other issues). Regardless of the direct result, the outcome is often the same: your system shutting down early.
2. You Need a Smaller System
Your air conditioner may be too powerful for your home. If you have an oversized air conditioner, it will cool your home quickly. Though this may sound like a good thing, it’s the opposite. Manufacturers build air conditioners to run in cycles of around 15-20 minutes, shut off for a while, and then repeat the process. This gives your AC time to properly dehumidify the air it conditions and fully circulate it throughout the space.
If your system is too large, the shorter cycles can actually make your home’s temperature uneven throughout. You might also find that your home is more humid than it should be.
3. The Thermostat Is Malfunctioning
Your thermostat controls your air conditioner. If it breaks down, your system will behave irregularly. You may have a calibration issue, or your thermostat’s temperature sensors might malfunction. Both problems will end with your thermostat activating and deactivating the system at inappropriate times. We can usually replace the faulty thermostat without modifying the air conditioner, which leads to a quick and easy repair.
4. Your Air Conditioner’s Wires Are Damaged
Faulty wiring is a common and dangerous problem. Damaged wires offer an irregular supply of electricity to your system. Your system will turn on when it has electricity, but it will turn off as soon as it loses power.
That is bad for your air conditioner, but it can also be dangerous for you. Damaged wires are a major fire hazard. If you ignore them, they can get worse over time and increase the fire risk.
5. The Compressor Is Damaged
Your air conditioner has a compressor, which moves the refrigerant through the system. It suffers a lot of wear and tear over time and generally lasts for about the lifespan of your AC.
While we can repair or replace a faulty compressor, it is a major project. It may be a better idea to replace your entire air conditioner. You should consider an upgrade if your air conditioner is old, inefficient, or prone to mechanical problems. If a repair will cost more than half the price of an entirely new system, it may be time for replacement.
6. You Need More Refrigerant
Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to absorb heat and remove it from your home. A lack of refrigerant makes your AC work harder and reduces its efficiency. The most common reason your system would need more refrigerant is if the refrigerant lines spring a leak. If that’s the case, you may hear hissing or bubbling sounds coming from your system.
You can often head leaks off by investing in routine maintenance for your system, but if you find a leak, address it promptly. Refrigerant is toxic, and only professionals should handle it for your safety. Additionally, older systems may still use Freon as refrigerant. The United States no longer allows the manufacture of Freon, making it increasingly rare and, therefore, expensive. Freon can contribute to damaging the ozone layer, but the new refrigerant standard is less harmful. If your system still uses Freon and you spring a leak, it may be time for a full replacement. (The good news is, you’ll likely see increased efficiency compared to your old system’s baseline!)
7. The Drain Line Is Clogged
Air conditioners naturally extract moisture from the air. They rely on drain lines to prevent the water from accumulating. The drain lines can sometimes clog, which causes water to build up in the system. If that happens, it will turn itself off until the water drains. That can lead to irregular performance if the water is draining slowly. If the drain is completely clogged, the system will stop working until fixed.
This is one of the easiest problems to recognize. If you smell a musty odor around your system or see a puddle of water, the drain is probably clogged. The good news is that the rest of the system will usually be fine. We can unclog the drain, remove the water, and turn your air conditioner back on.
8. You Have Frozen Coils
Ice can build up on your air conditioner’s evaporator coils. That reduces your system’s cooling capacity and prevents normal operation. Many systems will recover once the coils thaw, but that can take a long time. Your air conditioner is also likely to freeze again if you do not solve the underlying problem.
It can be tempting to try to remove the ice on your own, but that is very risky. If you heat the system too quickly, the coils will crack. It is also easy to damage the coils by trying to pry the ice off of them. If the system’s defrost mode does not fix the issue, you need to get help from a trained technician.
Let Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating Solve the Problem
If your air conditioner keeps turning itself off, you need to have a professional examine it. You can trust our team to fix the problem. At Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating, we understand that rapid responses are vital when your air conditioner breaks down. That is why we offer 24/7 emergency services in the San Antonio area. While our team will make the repairs as quickly as possible, we also try to offer lasting solutions with our maintenance plans! We will fix your air conditioner’s underlying problems to minimize the risk of future emergencies. If it is time for an upgrade, we can replace the entire system. We offer a comprehensive set of heating, cooling, and HVAC services so we can solve any problem.
If your air conditioner is turning itself off, call Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating to get the problem under control.
