5 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Motor is Acting Up
You rely on your air conditioner’s fan to circulate air in order to cool your home properly. When it starts malfunctioning, it is definitely cause for concern. The trick is to recognize the signs that it is your AC motor acting up and not some other part of your system. Look out for:
- AC turned on but motor not running.
- A fan that won’t quit running even if the AC is off.
- A rattling noise emanating from the condenser unit.
- Fan blades turning very slowly.
- Weak airflow from vents.
If you are noticing any of these signs, check out our top 5 reasons why.
Reason 1: Clogged Air Filter
Our top three reasons are really easy to address. The first one is easy to overlook: your air filter. When was the last time you changed it? If you have pets or a family, you might need to change it a bit sooner than you think. Check if the filter is dirty and could be obstructing any airflow, then change it and see if your system goes back to normal.
Reason 2: Tripped Breaker
It is time to take a “trip” to your circuit breaker panel. Open it up and see if your AC breaker has tripped. Try turning it back on and running your AC unit. If it trips again shortly, you could have a larger electrical issue.
The following can cause an outside AC fan to stop working in Austin, TX:
- Your air filter is blocked.
- The capacitor is broken.
- Your fan’s motor is broken.
When your AC unit’s outside fan stops working, but your AC unit keeps running, it can damage your AC unit further. If you notice your outside AC fan is not working, you should turn off your AC unit and have an HVAC technician repair it. To get your outside AC fan repaired, contact us today.
If your AC fan is not working in Austin, TX, you can:
- Turn off your AC unit and check the circuit breaker. If it is off, try resetting it. If it is on, turn it off and then turn it back on again.
- Check the voltage of your AC contactor (it is recommended that you have an HVAC technician do this for you).
- Try to manually start the fan with a non-conductive stick.
These are some steps to take to get your AC fan to start working again. If you are not familiar with AC units, it is advised that you have a professional HVAC technician repair your AC fan for you. To get your AC fan repaired, call us today.
You may not be able to turn your AC fan off and your AC fan may still be running in Austin, TX because:
- Your thermostat is set incorrectly.
- Your thermostat is malfunctioning.
- Your AC unit’s relay switch is faulty.
Another thing that can cause your AC fan to continue running is if there is a short circuit. Regardless of the issue, if you notice that your AC fan is running when it shouldn’t, you should have your AC unit inspected and repaired right away. Give us a call today to get your AC fan repaired.
Reason 3: Thermostat Turned Off
Sometimes all you need is a quick reminder. If your thermostat was turned off by someone in your family, you might not have noticed.
Reason 4: Fan Blades are Obstructed
Check your condenser unit to see if there is an obstruction or dirt build-up that you can easily remove. Branches tend to cause problems particularly during Hurricane Season, but there are all kinds of things that our technicians have found obstructing blades, including dead animals! If the fan blades are stopped completely, try taking a screwdriver and nudging one of the blades. If it won’t rotate, you’ll know there is something caught.
Reason 5: Capacitor Issue
The capacitor might be at fault if you notice a humming noise or your AC is sluggish to turn on and turns off on its own.
If it is a capacitor issue, you’ll need a professional air conditioning technician to examine your system. Additionally, you could have something else wrong with your system that needs looking into, so it is always best to call in for help if you are unsure.
If you were not able to resolve the issue on your own, Garner AC is always just a phone call (OR TEXT) away at 512-392-2000 ! Our licensed technicians are always more than happy to help you diagnose and address your HVAC issues, no matter how big or small!
