The Most Common Split AC Problems and Their Solutions – Although air conditioners are a major part of many homes today, especially in regions with predominantly hot and humid climates, split AC problems are also common with these cooling appliances.
Because air conditioners are most commonly used during summers and dry seasons, you wouldn’t want your cooling appliance to break down or fail when you need it the most.
Air conditioners especially split ACs, have to be serviced and maintained regularly to be in perfect working condition.
Failure to do this and your split AC unit could be subjected to frequent breakdowns and problems.
In this article, we will discuss the most common split AC problems and their possible solutions.
The Most Common Split AC Problems and Their Solutions
The truth is that some of the more common split air conditioner problems are caused by irregular maintenance.
Fortunately, the bulk of these problems can be prevented through proper care of the unit.
1. Split AC not cooling
Split air conditioners are really efficient and they hardly take too long to cool the room to its required temperature.
However, if your split unit AC isn’t cooling as fast as it used to earlier despite keeping it turned on for hours, then it must have developed some problems.
The cause of your split AC not cooling could be a result of a clogged air filter, ice formation on the evaporator coils, or a dirty compressor.
Clogged air filters
Air filters are made to protect the air conditioner from dust, debris, and other tiny particles.
The filters help collect these particles so they do not go further and damage the internal components of the unit.
Now, if the air filters are not cleaned regularly (at least once every six months if used frequently), they can get clogged and stunt the AC’s cooling performance.
In addition, having clogged filters also means the air conditioner has to work harder (and thus, consume more power) to cool the same room.
Ultimately, this results in higher electricity bills and cooling at snail-speed. You can clean or unclog an air filter by taking them out from the split AC.
Every AC model will likely be configured differently so make sure you follow your AC’s manual to see how it is done.
Using a low-power vacuum cleaner or by running the filters through warm water, clean them carefully before inserting them back into the air conditioner.
Ice formation on the evaporator coils
Another possible reason for the split AC not cooling could be ice formation on the evaporator coils.
Ice can form on the air conditioner’s evaporator coils if you do not maintain the unit routinely.
This can lead to a build-up of dirt, dust, and fungi on the air filter as well as around other parts of the air conditioning unit.
Once a thin sheet of ice forms on the evaporator coils, it becomes incapable of absorbing latent heat and thus, slows down the AC’s cooling performance.
You can resolve this by cleaning the air filters at regular intervals. The problem should be easily fixed after doing this. However, if it doesn’t, we recommend inviting an experienced professional technician to help resolve it.
Dirty compressor
The split AC’s cooling efficiency can also wither if the outdoor compressor is dirty or gets blocked by debris. Particles can stop it from exchanging air with the indoor unit.
However, unless there is construction work going in or around your building or there is debris around your AC’s outdoor unit, the chances of this happening are rather slim.
Spraying water with high pressure on it should easily get it cleaned.
2. Low refrigerant level or split AC gas leakage
Low refrigerant level or split ac gas leakage can also lead to your air conditioner’s inability to cool the room properly.
The refrigerant refers to the fluid or gaseous compound responsible for absorbing heat from the environment.
Additionally, when combined with the AC’s compressor and evaporator, the refrigerant also provides air conditioning.
If your split AC has a gas leakage or if the AC gets undercharged with refrigerant, it may not function optimally.
You can resolve this problem by checking the split AC’s indoor unit, outdoor unit, and the connection between them for possible leaks.
If there are leaks, we recommend calling an experienced professional to help you fix the leak.
You will also need to recharge the refrigerant gas to optimum levels as prescribed in the air conditioner’s manual.
3. Faulty AC compressor
Located in the outdoor unit, the split AC’s compressor is one of the chief components of the appliance.
The compressor helps take care of the gas flow between the evaporator and the condenser.
However, with a faulty AC compressor, the unit won’t perform up to its maximum capacity or in the worst-case scenario, won’t even work at all.
A faulty ac compressor could be caused by a burned wire, a defective start capacitor, or a defective compressor itself.
To fix the compressor, you should start by getting the condenser coil cleaned. Also, check the capacitor and clean the outdoor unit’s fan.
If none of these solutions gets the compressor back into its default working capacity, then you may need to replace the compressor.
4. Split AC keeps turning on & off constantly
If your split AC suddenly starts turning on and off by itself, we recommend switching it off from the electrical source until you get it fully serviced.
The reason for the incessant on and off is most likely a result of the split AC’s evaporator and condenser being dirty or blocked.
Generally, a dirty air filter limits airflow, which in turn causes more problems, such as a frozen evaporator coil (as mentioned previously).
That is why it is very important to clean or change the air filter for better cooling and optimal performance.
Also, another factor that could be responsible for this issue could be via switching to the wrong AC mode or timer settings.
At times, people often switch to the wrong AC mode or activate the sleep timer function. This feature usually leads to the AC turning off by itself.
If this is the case, then you can easily fix this on your own by switching to the default mode and turning off the sleep timer.
5. Split AC leaking water
Water leaking from split AC could be a result of a blocked drainage pipe. This drainpipe allows the condensation from the air conditioning unit to drip down and away from the appliance.
But when this drain pipe gets clogged, the water will drip from the bottom of the AC unit and onto the floor of your room or apartment.
To fix this, turn off the AC and disconnect the drainpipe from the unit. Now, let the water drain out completely into a bucket then reattach it back to the unit.
If the split AC doesn’t stop leaking water, it may be that the drainpipe is damaged somewhere. You should consider calling a professional to help you fix it.
Top Split AC to Buy
Some people prefer to buy new ACs rather than getting their faulty ones fixed. There’s a good reason for this too as certain components like compressors can be pretty expensive if they have to be replaced.
So, sometimes, it is wiser to just get a brand new cooling unit, especially if the current one is old.
If you plan on buying a new split AC unit, try checking out this efficient selection of Royal air conditioners below:
Royal Split AC (BA09RSA)
Royal Split AC (BA12RSA)
Royal Split AC (BA18RSA)
Royal Split Inverter AC (FV09RSA-INV)
Royal Split Inverter AC (DB12RSA-INV)
Royal Split Inverter AC (DB18RSA-INV)
Conclusion
A split air conditioner needs regular maintenance to keep it functioning efficiently at all times. Fail to do this and you could have split AC problems on your hands.
You can learn more about how to keep your AC running for longer in this separate article here.
