Troubleshooting AC Not Working at Night
AC not working at night is such an odd problem. One that seems like it doesn’t make any sense. It was working just fine in the heated daytime in the middle of summer.
But at night it just won’t work. Now, even though it’s weird, there are a few logical reasons for it. In this segment, we’re going to talk about why this problem might happen.
Refrigerant Pressure
A faulty refrigerant could be the reason why your ac stops running at night. Refrigerant is a necessary liquid that makes air conditioning happen.
It sucks up the heat from the air and provides a cooling effect on it. Trouble arises when the refrigerant liquid starts to leak. If you’re adding refrigerant once or twice a month, now that it’s leaking.
This happens when the different parts of the AC come in contact due to vibration. It can also happen if the joints of the inner part fittings become loose. One way to look out for it is to notice if there’s any noise.
If you hear hissing or bubbling noise from the line it has a leakage problem. The fact that your AC isn’t working at night is also a sign of it.
If the refrigerant keeps leaking the pressure in the evaporator coil drops. As a result, moisture starts to freeze the coil. It only keeps increasing from that point on until it no longer functions.
It can also cause the liquid line to run cold.
Solution
First check for the signs of a leaking refrigerant. If you think the signs are relatable then turn off your AC first. Then call for professional help.
Air Temperature Fluctuation
Temperature fluctuation doesn’t affect the air conditioner much. But the temperature has to be within a particular range. Otherwise, the outdoor ac unit won’t function properly.
The temperature falls extremely low at night in some regions. This problem is more common there. When the air temperature becomes too low at night the pressure in the system drops.
It causes your AC to freeze up. It’s because the temperature gets too low at night your AC stops working then.
Solution
To counter this issue you can build a box around the outside portion of your AC. This will inhibit cold strong winds to mess with your AC unit.
Again if that doesn’t work, your best bet would be to talk to an HVAC professional about it. In the meantime disconnect your AC from the power line. Fluctuating temperature can ruin your AC.
Using Digital Thermostat
Are you using a programmable smart thermostat? It has a few default settings systems. One of them is to raise the cooling temperature of your AC unit at night.
Maybe your air conditioner stops working at night due to this default setting.
Solution
If the default setting of your thermostat is skewed, check if there’s a hold option on your thermostat.
Now adjust the temperatures to your necessity. Hopefully, this will solve your problem.
Air Flowing Problem
When your AC gets frozen at night the problem is probably within the condenser. It is the outdoor unit air conditioner. Its functionality is to release the heat collected through the indoor unit.
This is related to the air flowing inside your air conditioner system. If there’s a lack of airflow the evaporator coil freeze up. So, your AC stops working.
This is a common problem for air conditioner troubleshooting. It can cause your AC to stop at any time. But it can also be a reason for the nighttime issue.
Solution
By solving the airflow problem, the problem of AC not working at night can be fixed.
One of the main culprits behind restricted airflow is probably the dirty air filter. Maybe it has gotten clogged. You can either choose to clean it or replace it.
However, if you see that your air filter is clogged beyond rescue then get a replacement. Now, If you’re thinking of a replacement, you can try one of these-
This issue can also happen because of a faulty condenser fan. See whether it’s running on low speed. Check the ac condenser fan motor as well. If the fan blades are running slowly or making noise the motor is the problem.
The Stuck Contactor
Contactor is a small part of your air conditioner’s outdoor unit. Its job is to provide power to the condenser fan and the compressor. It turns the air conditioner on and off.
The switch-like part of it can get stuck causing the condenser to run continuously. If that happens your ac will eventually freeze up.
Solution
To identify this issue you can try turning off your AC at the thermostat.
If your outdoor AC unit is still running then the contactor is stuck. To shut off the system in this situation, turn it off from the circuit breaker. This tactic also works if your ac makes noise after power outage.
Capacitor Dammaged
There’s a run capacitor located inside the outdoor unit of air conditioners. Its job is to start off the condenser fan and the compressor. If the capacitor becomes faulty, your AC won’t run.
So, how to identify this problem? Notice if you hear any clicking or buzzing sound coming from the condenser. It means that the condenser fan motor is trying to start. But can’t do it because of the capacitor.
Solution
You can temporarily fix the issue by spinning the fan clockwise manually. Get a narrow item like a screwdriver that can fit into the grille.
Now try to spin it. The fan will probably start running.
A faulty capacitor will look bulged than the usual appearance. The flat-top may become domed and the oily component will start to seep through.
These are the signs that the capacitor has reached its limit. You need a replacement right away. Here are some capacitor replacements that I’ve personally used and loved:
How to know if the blower motor is bad?
If the blower motor is bad there will be little to no airflow from vents. You may detect weird smells due to blower overheating. There will be weird noises as well. The energy bill will also skyrocket. Another sign is that the condenser unit works just fine but the indoor unit doesn’t.
Can I use any type of thermostat for my AC?
No, you can only use a thermostat that matches your air conditioner’s system voltage. Most thermostats will work at low voltage. An electronic baseboard heating system or a floor/wall heater uses a high voltage thermostat. If yours isn’t one of them you’ll probably need a low voltage thermostat.
Why is my AC running but not cooling the house?
It’s probably because the condenser coil is clogged with dirt. The condenser fan pulls the outside air into the system through the coil. If the coil gets clogged the air won’t be passed. As a result, your ac will fail to cool down your house.
0 Comments