An AC unit uses two fans: one in the indoor unit and another in the condenser unit. You must note that these fans circulate air throughout your home and blow air over the coils for heat expulsion, respectively. However, your AC will not cool your home as needed when one or both fans malfunction. As such, your system will consume more energy as it strives to deliver an average cooling output. Below are the reasons your fan is not working.
Power Disconnect
You should know that your AC fan will not work if the system is not receiving power. In some cases, a power disconnect will occur due to obstructed airflow. If this is the case, your unit will overwork and overheat as it tries to draw sufficient air for cooling. Given this stress, the circuit breaker will trip to prevent secondary damage to other components.
At other times, a power disconnect may occur when you have water backup due to a clogged drain line. In this case, the backup triggers the float switch to prevent water overflow. Consequently, your unit will shut down, rendering the fan inoperable. If this is the case, you must fix electrical defects and clean the condensate line to restore fan function.
Defective Disconnect Box
A disconnect box is a small compartment near the outdoor unit that houses the fuses that regulate the energy supply. However, if there is corrosion in the disconnect box, the wires may become loose and cause a short circuit. In addition, power surges can blow the fuses and damage the disconnect box. As a result, the fan will stop working, causing a weak airflow from the vents. In such cases, you must repair the disconnect box or replace it to restore cooling output.
Broken or Loose Belt
Older AC units use belt-powered fans instead of direct-drive fans. Over time, the belt may wear down and break. Moreover, if the internal components are overheating, they may loosen the fan belt. When this happens, you may notice a burning smell, often accompanied by a restricted fan operation. To remedy this issue, you should replace the fan belt and tighten it with the right tension to prevent slippage.
Malfunctioning Contactor
The AC contactor in the condenser unit controls the flow of electricity through the components. However, when you install the contact with professional help, you may pick the wrong placement or cable. Ultimately, this can cause voltage fluctuation, which may cause the contactor to fail. More so, a defective contactor will impede the fan from functioning and need replacement.
It is crucial to note that AC fan failure can result in secondary damage to other components. Thus, you should schedule routine tune-ups with an AC repair technician to maintain your unit for peak efficiency.
Share17 October 2022
Every summer, I agonized over energy bills that would shoot into the stratosphere as a result of my efforts to keep cool in the heat. Every time I turned the temperature down, my bills increased. This summer, I decided to take some of the control over my energy bill back. I installed reflective film on my windows that reduced the amount of light and heat coming into the house. I started serving more cold meals or asking my husband to barbecue outside, so that my air conditioner didn't have to compete with the hot stove, and I started doing laundry at night to reduce appliance heat in the house at peak times. I also had ceiling fans installed. So far, the difference in my bill has been tremendous. This blog is a way for me to explore other ways to reduce energy drain during the summer months.