If you notice erratic changes in the fan speed of your air conditioner, then it may be there is a problem with the indoor fan on your air conditioner.
There are some settings on your air conditioner that could cause it to exhibit this behaviour – but if they are not on – then there may be a problem.
What does the fan do in the indoor unit of my air conditioner?
The fan (sometimes called the blower) is the thing that moves the air. Your air conditioner works by passing air over a coil (which has refrigerant flowing through it). As the air passes over the coil it is cooled (or heated) by the refrigerant in the coil. This cooled air is then blown out the supply air diffuser\s or grilles.
The fan in your air conditioner will either pull or push air through the grille, depending on the air conditioner’s design.
What are the fan modes in an air conditioner?
Most air conditioners have four fan modes:
- low
- medium
- high
- auto
The low, medium \ medium \ and high settings are fan speeds and are constant. This means the air conditioner’s fan will always run at the assigned speed, irrespective of whether the air conditioner is cooling or not.
The auto setting is different. In auto, the fan will only run when the air conditioner is calling for cooling, and the speed of the fan may vary depending on how far away the system is from the set temperature. When the air conditioner has the room temperature close to the set temperature, the fan will slow; when the room temperature is not close to the set temperature, the fan will speed up.
When an air conditioner is set to auto, the system will normally cycle off when a set temperature is achieved – this means the fan will stop running. When the room temperature rises above the set point, the air conditioner will start again, and the fan will start at the same time.
Why does the fan speed change in Auto mode?
When an air conditioner is in auto mode, the air conditioner will vary the ac fan speed in an attempt to reach the ac units set temperature as quickly as possible. This means if the temperature is a lot lower than the room temperature, the ac fan will speed up. As the room temperature approaches the set temperature, the ac fan will slow down. When the set temperature is achieved, the fan will stop.
In auto mode, the fan will speed up and slow down as needed and stop altogether at times.
If my fan speeds up and slows down when it isn’t in Auto mode what does it mean?
When your ac settings are on a single fan speed – and the air conditioner fan is changing speed – it is normally an indication of a problem with either the fan motor or the control board.
Learn more about common issues people have with air conditioners
An air conditioning unit that isn’t cooling properly is a common issue for homeowners, and while there are many potential causes, some pop up more often than others. Whether it’s a blocked condenser coil, low refrigerant, or an issue with the thermostat, these are the most common reasons an AC stops working efficiently.
- Air conditioner unit is frozen or icing up
- Air conditioner unit is leaking water
- Air conditioner heat mode is not working
- Air conditioner isn’t turning on
- Air conditioner is making loud buzzing noises
- Ducted air conditioner isn’t working in all rooms
- Air conditioner smells
- Air conditioner is sweating inside
- Air conditioner is blowing hot air
- Air conditioner keeps turning off
What are most air conditioner breakdowns caused by?
The majority of air conditioning problems stem from a few key issues. Whether it’s a frozen coil, an electrical malfunction, or a simple thermostat problem, these common failures can affect any AC system. Below are the most frequent reasons AC units break down.
- AC breakdown caused by electrical problems
- PCB faults
- Faulty air conditioner compressor that needs replacing
- Faulty air conditioner capacitor that needs replacing
- Faulty air conditioner condenser that needs replacing
- Faulty air conditioner evaporator coil that needs replacing
- Air conditioner pipe insulation that needs replacing
There are many more reasons your air conditioner may not be working, and our first step with any repair job is to diagnose the issue with an initial inspection.
Get a free quote on air conditioning repairs in Brisbane
Your air conditioner is supposed to keep your home comfortable. not cause frustration! If you’ve noticed unusual performance issues, we can take a look and provide a free quote for air conditioning repairs in Brisbane.