Air conditioning units are not just a luxury, they’re a necessity in certain places in the United States like Arizona. However, once in a while, the extreme heat can result in air conditioning issues, such as leaking or blowing warm air instead of cool air. 

Cummings Plumbing is based in Tucson, Arizona. They have done all kinds of A/C repairs and A/C replacements throughout the 36 years they’ve been in business. They provide their insight into the top four most common air conditioning issues that are caused by extreme heat in Arizona and at what point it’s a good idea to call an expert in to fix it.

Leaking

According to Cummings Plumbing of Tucson, Arizona, one of the most common air conditioning issues to be caused by extreme heat in places like Arizona is leaking. One of the reasons that leaks occur so frequently is because water naturally forms from condensation while an air conditioning unit is operating. If it’s operating correctly, when the water accumulates, it will drip down the drainage pipe. However, for air conditioning units of the window variety, there is no drainage pipe for the water to go down, so that is why you will often see water pooling up around the base of the unit or leaking out the sides. 

So, while a little bit of water might be normal for window A/C units, leaking could be an indication that something is wrong for central A/C units, as such units are not supposed to result in any pooling water. If you have a central A/C unit and notice water leaking, it’s likely because the unit was poorly installed in the first place. An installation gone amiss can result in unleveled condenser pans, which can cause too much pressure to build up within the unit, leading to leaks. Other common causes of leaks are if the entire unit is frozen, if the drainage holes are blocked, or if there are holes in the condensation pan, though the latter issue is rare, shares Cummings Plumbing. Overall, if you experience leaking with your central air conditioning system, then calling an HVAC service to come and help with your A/C repair is a must.

Turning Off and On

There is nothing more frustrating than when your air conditioning unit seems to turn off and on at random. Although it’s normal for your A/C unit to turn off once it reaches the temperature it was set to and to turn on again when the temperature rises above what the thermostat is set at, it isn’t normal if it’s doing this before it reaches or far after such a point. Cummings Plumbing of Tucson, Arizona, asserts that if you’re having air conditioning issues pertaining to your unit constantly shutting off and on without your control, it’s likely because the system is too big for your home. Thus, by the time the air conditioner finishes turning on, the small room or home has already cooled to the desired temperature and so it shuts right off again. 

If shutting on and off has been an issue since the beginning of your unit, then the size of your home is likely the culprit. However, if the air conditioning turning itself on and off haphazardly is a new problem, shut down the entire unit for a minimum of 30 minutes and then turning it back on to see if it starts cooling your house properly once again. If this still doesn’t fix the problem, then it could be caused by poor wiring, loose wires, or even a bad power source. In any case, it’s a good idea to call someone about A/C repair. Cummings Plumbing notes that another common air conditioning issue — the unit not turning on at all, is typically also the result of bad wiring, loose wires, or a lack of power. So, if a failure to turn on is the issue, calling for an HVAC service is also the best course of action.

Warm Air

Is there anything worse than an air conditioning unit blowing out warm air in the middle of a hot Arizona summer? According to Cummings Plumbing, before you call for an A/C repair, it’s a good idea to check one small detail. Make sure that your thermostat is set to either “auto” or “cool,” along with your desired temperature. Many people fail to check this and when they do, they realize their thermostat was set to “fan” or another similar setting, where the unit is simply recirculating air rather than producing cool air. However, if your thermostat seems to be set correctly, then it’s possible your air conditioning issue is being caused by one of the following: a frozen unit, a blown breaker, a broken compressor, or refrigerant leaks. If you have reason to believe it’s one of these issues, call an HVAC service immediately. 

Cummings Plumbing on Loud Noises

It is completely normal for air conditioning systems to make some noise while in operation. However, there are certain noises that indicate things are normal and others that might be so loud or distracting it’s clear there is an issue. The most common sounds that might indicate there is something wrong with your air conditioning unit are popping, grinding, hissing, and rattling sounds. If you would describe the sound you’re hearing like the aforementioned, then there is likely something wrong, especially if the sound has seemingly come out of nowhere and you’ve never heard it come from the unit before. In this case, Cummings Plumbing advises you to check the fan or exterior vents of the unit, as it’s possible dust, debris, or maybe even a small animal is clogging up the system. 

The ductwork being clogged can also be the culprit. Although it’s possible that something has come loose, which is often what it can sound like, most commonly the issue comes down to debris that has gotten inside the unit and is flying around when it’s on. If you’re unsure what to do, it’s a good idea to call an HVAC service that can provide an A/C repair in the way of a checkup.