Anyone that has found it necessary to call in a professional to perform repairs to an air conditioning system in the past knows how expensive these repairs can become. And while there are problems with an air conditioner repairs that will require the attention of a professional technician, other issues with the system are resolvable through the DIY approach.
When a simple problem is responsible for your unit not providing you and your family with the level of comfort you desire, it may not become necessary to spend hundreds of dollars or more to find a fix. The following is a list of tips and checks you can perform on your own and possibly save on money for air conditioner repairs.
Check the Breaker
When your air conditioner unit fails to power on, you should check that a breaker has not tripped before you do anything else. Air conditioning Barstow (An HVAC company) stated that this problem is a likely culprit if the energy for other things like lights and appliances flows through the same breaker. If you have central air, your system may also possess an outdoor electrical box with a lever or breaker inside of it. You should check this box both for a tripped breaker and the presence of insects. Taking the time to check the breaker when the system is not working is a quick and free fix that has saved homeowners a lot of money in unnecessary technician fees.
Take a Look at the AC Settings
Air conditioner units possess a thermostat for temperature control, as well as an option to use only the fan. You should set the thermostat to a temperature that is lower than the temperature in the room it needs to cool. The switch on the air conditioner settings also needs to be in the “cool” position and not set to the position marked fan only.
Clean The System
Regular cleaning of an air conditioner will help to keep the system working at a high level of efficiency. It may be time to clean your system if you begin to notice it is working harder to provide your home with the same comfort level.
A bit of labor is involved with the air conditioner cleaning process, so it may require a few hours to complete. You may need to pick up a few tools to complete the job if you do not already have them around the house, but this is far less expensive than it would cost for a technician to clean the system.
The steps to cleaning an inside air conditioner include:
- Make sure the power is off.
- Open the unit.
- Clean the evaporator coils
- Clean the drain pan.
- Clean the drain.
- Reattach the access panel.
Cleaning the outside AC Unit:
- Remove Grill.
- Remove any debris from the unit.
- Clean fins and coils.
- Straighten AC fins.
- Clean the area around the AC
- Make sure the AC is level on the ground.
In addition to the above instructions, homeowners should also spend the time it takes to vacuum, soak, spray, and dry their air conditioner filters.
Check Coils and Filters
When coils on the outside condenser unit are blocked or dirty, the AC unit may not perform up to its capability. Filters that have accumulated excess dirt will do the same thing. Taking a moment to clean or replace the filters that need it should help. Next, use a garden hose to spray all coils that are outside the home. You should also clear away any trees or plant life that may prevent air movement near the condenser unit.
Melt Ice
Allowing ice to accumulate inside the air conditioner will also negatively affect the ability of the system to cool your home. Melting this ice is a simple process. You only need to turn the system off for a while to allow the process to happen naturally. If you want the ice to melt a little faster, you can run the fan.
Check Ducts
Check to see that air is flowing evenly through the ducts. If ducts are not allowing the free flow of air, it is a clear sign that it is time to clean them. Cleaning the ducts will require a little labor on your part, but the money saved may be worth the sweat.
The Bottom Line
There are times when the services of a professional will be the only way to restore your air conditioner to its natural function. But before you commit to this expense, there are several potential problems you can detect and correct yourself. The six tips above are a great place to start when your air conditioner is not working properly.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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