Any equipment has its weak points. Even the most technically equipped unit can be easily disabled if you stop taking care of it and let the process take its course. The air conditioner will work properly in winter and summer, if you follow the rules regarding the temperature outside the window, the condition of the filters, the amount of refrigerant. To understand why the air conditioner does not turn on, you need to understand the principles of the device.
The principle of operation of climatic technology
Cooling devices are divided into budget and expensive ones. Cheap devices require more careful handling, compliance with all operating rules. Their electronic control unit has no protection against misuse, so it is easy to break them. It doesn't matter if the model is expensive or cheap, it is installed in the apartment - repairing the compressor will cost half the cost of the unit itself.
The design of expensive and cheap cooling devices is not much different:
- The compressor makes the freon move in a circle in the system.
- The heat exchanger located in the external block cools the liquid.
- The heat exchanger in the indoor unit vaporizes the refrigerant and converts it from liquid to gaseous form.
- The fan blows on the heat exchangers of the outdoor and indoor units.
The general principle of air conditioning is to draw in warm air, cool it inside the unit and deliver it back to the room. The coolant circulates through a copper pipe under pressure.
If the air conditioner stops blowing, then an error has occurred in one of the main units. The reasons can be different - serious and commonplace.
Air conditioner does not work - causes of the problem
In order to save time and nerves, you should consider the simple reasons leading to equipment breakdown:
- The batteries in the remote control have run out. They should be replaced and try to turn on the unit.
- The remote control is out of the range of the equipment sensors.
- The plug is loose and the air conditioner is not receiving power.
- The device works slowly and does not cool the apartment enough: many people have gathered in the room or devices that give off heat are turned on, open windows in the heat do not allow the device to work fully.
- The device switches off shortly after the start of operation: the preset temperature has been reached, the sensor must be reconfigured for stronger cooling.
- There is an obstruction in the airflow path, such as furniture, which must be removed to allow warm air to pass through and cold air out.
If the air conditioner does not work well and gives out poorly cold, it is possible that the power for a particular room was incorrectly calculated.
After checking the banal operating errors, you can proceed to more serious breakdowns. They occur due to a systematic violation of the rules for the use of climate technology. One of these mistakes is turning on the device in frost for heating. An air conditioner can only heat a house in the off-season - in spring or autumn, when the outside temperature is above zero.In winter, it can be turned on in cooling mode if the outdoor unit is equipped with a winter kit - drainage and crankcase heating.
Below 0 degrees, the air conditioner does not turn on in winter. It is used in cold mode to lower the temperature in a server room or computer lab.
Compressor breakdown
Compressor problems begin when the filter becomes clogged, the purpose of which is to protect the internal parts. If this is not done, the dust clogs up the small cells so much that the air stops circulating. Overheating of the compressor and freezing of the pipeline are possible. When turned off, the ice melts and water drips. The filter needs to be cleaned urgently before the evaporator becomes dirty. This is done with warm water and detergent, the part is dried and reinserted.
Filters in home air conditioners are cleaned once every two weeks and more often if the equipment is in the kitchen, where there is fumes in the form of fat.
Coolant leaks will cause the compressor to overheat. You can detect a problem by examining:
- ice is visible on the choke joints;
- the operation of the compressor is disrupted - it cools the room much weaker than usual.
If the A / C compressor does not turn on, the winding and cable may be damaged. The resistance should be checked. To do this, you need a special tool, but it is better to invite a master who will immediately replace the wire.
The air conditioner may not turn on if the outdoor unit is clogged with dirt. The same happens when the fan is blocked by debris or branches.
Fan and control panel not working
The fan speed is lower than the required one, so the settings on the remote control are checked.
To make sure that the remote control is malfunctioning, carry out the following actions:
- remove all obstacles in the signal path;
- turn off electronic devices;
- change batteries.
It is advisable to study the instructions well, which button is responsible for what - perhaps the wrong mode is set. If the remote control does not work, but the device can be turned on using the buttons on the front panel, then you need to carry it for repair.
Other breakdowns of the air conditioner
The device is designed for a constant voltage of 220 W. With power surges in the network, equipment malfunctions begin. Capacitors sometimes collect excess voltage - this may prevent the device from turning on. Using an insulated screwdriver, close the terminals, freeing the capacitor from excess voltage.
To ensure that voltage drops do not have a negative effect on household appliances, it is recommended to install a stabilizer.
The indoor unit is supplied with voltage for the motor and compressor. The contactor is responsible for the distribution. 220 watts should be on one side as well as on the other. If the instrument reads 0 W at the output, then the contactor is faulty.
The air conditioner does not turn on in winter, since the sensors do not allow the device to start at subzero temperatures. This is a special protective mechanism of the system. Working conditions in cold weather should be discussed when buying a model. Equipment that can work in winter is more expensive.
Not all masters undertake to repair the air conditioner boards, preferring to replace them with new ones. This is due to ignorance of the circuit and soldering points. But by fixing the board, you can bring the fan and other parts back to life. It is expensive to change it to a new one.
Poor cooling is sometimes attributed to seizure of the four-way valve spool in an intermediate position due to mechanical damage or factory defect. If the air conditioner blows with warm air in the "cold" mode, the valve requires repair or replacement. By tapping on one side of the valve, the spool moves to the “cold” position.
The valve will stick if the core sleeve has been damaged and no longer able to slide. It is necessary to exclude the presence of foreign particles in the air conditioner circuit, which cause the valve to clog. Lack of coolant can also lead to inadequate movement of the spool, which will affect the quality of the equipment.
It is not recommended to repair the air conditioner on your own, especially if the warranty period has not expired. HVAC installers have much more experience and quickly identify breakdowns, which reduces costs and repair time.
