When your air conditioner breaks down, it may be a major headache. Not only that, but if you have electricity and live in a hot climate, heat may make your life miserable. But there’s no need to be concerned. The right quick fixes will get your device up and running in no time.
Whether you’re thinking about having your unit repaired or you’re on the lookout for some quick fixes, here is a list of common issues and some tips on how to troubleshoot the problem. Of course, if the problem persists, it’s best to leave it to a professional from a reputable AC Company.
Adjust your thermostat
Many people don’t realize that their thermostat is the primary point of control for their air conditioning unit. Thermostats are often located away from the heating and cooling system itself, so they’re easily forgotten.
If you’re wondering why your unit is no longer cooling your home, it’s a good idea first to check your thermostat to see if it’s set to off. If that isn’t the issue, try lowering the temperature and waiting a few minutes. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to look into more complicated issues with your AC unit.
Clean the condenser coils on your air conditioner
The condenser coils act like a refrigerant for your air conditioning system. If these are dirty or blocked, the cold air won’t be able to pass through them, resulting in no cold air coming out of your vents.
One of the quickest and most straightforward fixes you can do to your air conditioning unit is to clean the condenser coils. These coils are usually located on top of your air conditioner, and they are responsible for cooling the refrigerant in your machine.
If the unit isn’t cooling as well as it should, or if the compressor shuts down nearly immediately after you turn it on, the coils are probably unclean.
Before you begin, ensure that the power to your unit is turned off. Remove the front panel if it is removable before proceeding. Then take a long-handled brush and carefully brush away any dirt and debris from in between the coils.
After this, take a garden hose and spray out the dust that fell to the ground, then replace the front panel if there is one.
Clean the air conditioner filter
The filter in your central air conditioning system will get clogged with dirt and pet hair over time, especially if you have pets. If the filter is dirty, it can make it harder for the system to push air through, resulting in your air conditioner working overtime and making less cold air.
To prevent this, make sure you change or clean the filter of your AC at least once every three months during the warmest months of summer.
Before you start cleaning, turn off your unit and wait a few minutes for it to cool down. Then, remove the cover and gently pull out the filter. Use a vacuum to remove any debris on both sides of the filter or rinse it with water if it’s washable. If you don’t know what type of filter you have, refer to its user manual or contact its manufacturer.
Inspect the refrigerant level
More often than not, your AC unit has low refrigerant because it’s leaking. Checking the refrigerant level is one of the easiest, quickest initial checks you can do when your air conditioner isn’t working as well as you’d like.
The refrigerant is what circulates through your AC unit, carrying heat away from inside your home to be expelled elsewhere. It’s important that there’s enough in there for the process to work properly otherwise, your air conditioner will have a hard time cooling your home effectively.
As a rule of thumb, if your AC unit is blowing cool air but not cold enough, or if it seems to be blowing more warm air than cool, you should check the refrigerant level right away.
However, if you’re not sure where to look for leaks or don’t know how to repair them, a professional HVAC technician can do all that for you.
Reset the circuit breaker
If your air conditioning unit suddenly stops working during a heatwave, the problem may be due to a tripped circuit breaker. Circuit breakers prevent electrical overloads and protect against short circuits. If one trips, it interrupts power to your electrical system.
Your air conditioner may not be working because it is not getting power. If you have tripped a circuit breaker, flip the switch to the “off” position and then back on again. If that doesn’t work, you may have a tripped fuse. Replace the fuse with one of the same amperages.
Replace your air filter if it’s dirty
For air to flow freely through the ducts and vents in your home, there needs to be an unobstructed path for it to travel through.
If anything is blocking this path, such as dust or debris in the ducts themselves, you will get less cold air than you should get from your system when it’s running at full power. One way to prevent this problem is by regularly changing out the filter on your furnace.
Call HVAC professional
There are times when these things won’t fix the problem with your AC. In these situations, it’s best to call for professional help immediately. There are several reputable companies that are trusted by many and have an overwhelming number of positive reviews across any platform, so these are a good place to start. These professionals have the expertise needed to properly diagnose and repair the problem with your unit so that it will be back up and running as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
The best way to handle any issue with your air conditioner is to not let it get so bad in the first place. To this end, it’s vital that you regularly inspect your unit. Look around for dust and other signs of dirt buildup, especially in your air conditioning fins.
Finally, if you find that your unit is making more noise than usual, you should call an AC Company professional service technician to help diagnose the problem before it becomes a serious situation.
Sidepost offers a complete air conditioning service, from maintenance to HVAC repairs. When it comes to your AC unit, you can only trust the professionals. With years of experience, they can guarantee that their team will have your unit up and running again. You can finally sleep through the night again without waking up hot and sweaty.
