It is a very frustrating ordeal to witness an AC break down and this usually happens during the heatwave when you need more cool air than before. Having to call on the technician to come and have a check or fix the issue may cost you some bucks and still, you might have to wait for two to three days before the contractor or the company could arrive as this is just their busy period too.
Heck! That will be frustrating and very serious, you have to endure the heat for a few days more. You can avoid this by repairing your broken AC by DIY, but mind you, not all repairs can be carried out without the right tools and expertise.
Below are the basic repairs you can carry put on your AC unit without calling upon the service of a technician. Also, check here if you need a professional AC repair done right.
Check For Tripped Breakers
If your AC refuses to work, you need to check if the unit is receiving power at the electrical panel and if any circuit breaker has been tripped. Resets the equipment switches, and overloads, and check if the AC comes on. If it trips the breaker again, then know for sure this needs the service of a technician.
Check The Thermostat
If you notice there is heat air being blow by the AC unit, this could be due to the wrong setting on your thermostat. Check if your thermostat is properly set to cool and not heat mode and also if the batteries are in good condition.
Check The Filter
If you notice there is an uneven cooling or airflow around your home, the first thing to check is the filter. Because the filter collects dust as it runs and will eventually clog the filters when too much leading to obstruction of air or no air at all. Replace the filter at least every three months. Also, you should check if the air condenser is in good condition.
Clean the AC components
Most times, many Air conditioner issues don’t warrant calling in a repair technician, they may just be that the unit is very dirty. Check the outside unit of your AC system if debris is not blocking it and you can also clean the fan blades and the condenser fins. Make sure you are very careful when doing this to avoid breaking or bending the blades and fins.
Check The Access Panel
Before you do this, make sure you’ve switched off the power supply from the main box, then open the electrical access panel. This can be found where the power supply enters through into the AC unit. Check for rodent nests and animal presence charred or frayed wire that may cause disconnection.
Replace The Contactor
The contactor is a relay that converts the low voltage from the thermostat into a signal to switch on the compressor and condenser. If the contractor fails, the AC units will refuse to work. Check the user manual to locate the contactor and its replacement model. They are very cheap to buy and easy to replace.
Replace The Capacitor
The capacitor stores electricity and is used when the compressor and fan need extra power. It is also used to protect the motor from damage during fluctuating voltage and as such, they don’t last long and can break down unexpectedly. You can easily replace the old one with a new one by getting the same model of the capacitor your AC unit used.
