Feeling a bit too toasty in your home lately? That’s probably because your air conditioner’s fan isn’t working properly!
The fan is an essential part of any AC system, allowing it to circulate cool air throughout your home. Figuring out what’s causing it to stop spinning will help you stay cool and comfy, as well as save money on costly repairs.
So is your AC fan not working as it should? In this blog post, we’ll talk about the common issues you’ll face with AC fans (except broken fan blade) as well as how you can resolve them. That way, you can get back to enjoying comfortable temperatures at home.
Blown Fuses or Tripped Circuit Breakers
The fuse or circuit breaker is designed to protect your air conditioning system and its electrical circuit from damage due to power surges or overloading. If a surge of electricity occurs, the fuse will blow or the circuit breaker will trip, cutting off power to the air conditioner. This can cause the AC fan to stop working and your unit to not cool properly.
To fix this issue, the blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker must be replaced or reset. It’s recommended to have a professional electrician check the electrical circuit and the AC to ensure that there is no other underlying issue that caused the fuse or circuit breaker to blow or trip.
Malfunctioning Thermostats
The thermostat is responsible for monitoring the temperature of the room and sending a signal to the AC to deliver the appropriate cooling temperature when needed. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, it may not be able to accurately read the room temperature or send the correct signal to the air conditioner. As a result, the air conditioning fan may not turn on even if the room temperature is higher than the set temperature.
To fix this issue, the thermostat should be checked and calibrated by a professional technician or replaced if it is found to be faulty. It’s important to note that sometimes the problem is not the thermostat itself, but the lack of power supply to the thermostat, or a malfunctioning control board, which could prevent the thermostat from communicating with the rest of the AC.
Dirty Air Filters
The air filter is responsible for trapping dust, dirt, and other contaminants from entering your air conditioning system and circulating through the room. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can restrict the airflow to the AC fan, causing it to work harder and eventually stop working altogether. A dirty or clogged air filter can also cause the fan’s motor to overheat, which can damage it and cause it to stop working.
To fix this issue, the air filter should be checked regularly, and replaced or cleaned if it is dirty. It is recommended to check the air filter at least once a month, especially during high usage times, such as summer months. Not only the fan would stop working, but also the entire system could be affected by the lack of airflow, reducing the efficiency of the air conditioning unit and increasing energy consumption.
Blocked Condenser Units
An AC’s condenser unit is located outside the building, and it is responsible for dissipating the heat absorbed by the refrigerant inside the air conditioner. If the condenser fan motor or the entire unit becomes blocked by debris such as leaves, grass, or other outdoor debris, it can limit the airflow to the air conditioner fans and the compressor unit, causing them to work harder and eventually stop working. A blocked condenser unit can also cause the compressor to overheat, which can damage the compressor and cause it to stop working.
To fix this issue, the condenser unit should be checked regularly and cleaned if it is blocked. It is recommended to check the condenser unit at least once a month, especially during high usage times, such as summer months. If not cleaned, the condenser unit can cause the AC to work less efficiently, consume more energy and ultimately lead to a breakdown.
Faulty Fan Motors
Fan motors are responsible for providing the power to the fan blades, which in turn creates the airflow that cools the room. If it’s malfunctioning, it may not be able to provide the power needed to turn the AC fan blades, causing the fan to stop working. A faulty motor may also make noise or vibrate excessively, indicating that it is not working properly.
To fix this issue, the air conditioner fan motor must be checked by a professional technician and replaced if it is found to be faulty. It’s important to note that the problem can also be caused by other issues such as lack of lubrication, overloading or electrical issues like lack of power supply or a malfunctioning control board, so it’s important to inspect the whole system. A faulty fan motor can cause a significant increase in energy consumption and ultimately lead to a breakdown of the whole unit.
Damaged Fan Belts
The fan belt is responsible for connecting the fan motor to the fan, allowing the motor to transfer power to the blades and create the airflow that cools the room. If the fan belt becomes damaged, it may not be able to transfer the power effectively or at all, leaving your AC fan not spinning when it matters. A damaged air conditioner fan belt may also make noise or slip, indicating that it is not working properly.
To fix this issue, the fan belt must be inspected by a professional technician and replaced if it is found to be damaged. It’s important to note that a damaged fan belt can be caused by other issues such as lack of tension, overloading or wear and tear, so it’s important to inspect the whole system. A damaged fan belt can cause a significant increase in energy consumption and ultimately lead to a breakdown of the whole AC.
Malfunctioning Compressors
The compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system, responsible for compressing and circulating the refrigerant through the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. If the compressor is malfunctioning, it may not be able to compress and circulate the refrigerant properly, causing the evaporator coil to become too cold and freeze over, which can block the airflow to the AC fan, causing it to stop working. A malfunctioning compressor can also cause the fan motor to overheat, which can damage the motor and cause it to stop working.
To fix this issue, the compressor must be checked by a professional technician and replaced if it is found to be faulty. It’s important to note that a malfunctioning compressor can also be caused by other issues such as lack of lubrication, overloading or electrical issues like lack of power supply or a malfunctioning control board, so it’s important to inspect the whole system. A malfunctioning compressor can cause a significant increase in energy consumption and ultimately lead to a breakdown of the whole AC unit.
Refrigerant Leaks
A refrigerant is the substance that absorbs and releases heat as it circulates through the AC unit. If there is a leak in the refrigerant, it will cause the refrigerant level to drop, preventing the AC system from functioning properly. A refrigerant leak can cause the evaporator coil to become too cold and freeze over, which can block the airflow to the fan, causing it to stop working. It can also cause the compressor to overheat, which can damage the compressor and cause it to stop working.
To fix this issue, the refrigerant leak must be located and repaired by a professional technician. The refrigerant levels must also be topped off to the correct level. It’s important to note that refrigerant leaks are not only caused by physical damage but also by an improperly installed AC unit or due to aging. A refrigerant leak can cause a significant increase in energy consumption, damage to the environment, and ultimately lead to a breakdown of the whole AC unit.
Clogged Drain Lines
The drain line is a small pipe that carries the condensate water, produced by the evaporator coil, out of the AC unit and away from the building. If the drain line becomes clogged, the condensate water will back up into the system, causing it to malfunction. A clogged drain line can cause the evaporator coil to become too cold and freeze over, which can block the airflow to the fan, causing it to stop working. It can also cause water damage to the AC system, leading to rust and other issues.
To fix this issue, the drain line must be inspected and cleaned by a professional technician. It’s important to note that a clogged drain line can be caused by various things like algae, dust, or debris buildup, so it’s important to check and clean the drain line regularly. A clogged drain line can cause a significant increase in energy consumption and ultimately lead to a breakdown of the whole AC unit.
Malfunctioning Fan Relays or Control Boards
The fan relay and control board are electrical components responsible for controlling the operation of the fan. The fan relay acts as a switch that controls the power supply to the fan and the control board manages the communication between the thermostat, the compressor, and the fan. If the fan relay or control board is malfunctioning, it may not be able to receive or send the correct electrical signals, leaving the fan not spinning. A malfunctioning fan relay or control board may also cause the fan to turn on and off frequently or make noise, indicating that it is not working properly.
To fix this issue, the fan relay or control board must be inspected by a professional technician and replaced if it is found to be faulty. It’s important to note that a malfunctioning fan relay or control board can also be caused by other issues such as overloading, electrical issues or due to wear and tear, so it’s important to inspect the whole system. A malfunctioning fan relay or control board can cause a significant increase in energy consumption and ultimately lead to a breakdown of the whole AC system.
Keep Your AC Fans Spinning
If you find you AC not working, there’s a problem in your unit. It could be something as simple as a dusty AC unit fan or something more complicated like an electrical issue. In any case, you need to get it fixed because the AC fan is an important part of your air conditioning system. By following the tips above, you can keep your AC fans spinning and your unit breathing cool air whenever you need it to. If symptoms persist, don’t hesitate to call the best HVAC company in town.
FAQ
What causes an AC fan to stop working?
An AC fan can stop working due to several reasons, including electrical issues such as a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, motor failure, and thermostat problems. Clogged air filters, refrigerant leaks, wiring issues, and broken fan blades are also common causes of AC fan failure.
How do I reset my AC fan?
