By Gracie Gardner
Air conditioners: those of us living in warm climates can’t imagine what life would be like without them. However, like all machines, air conditioners are prone to sometimes breaking down. If you have an air conditioning unit that isn't working the way it should, check the following things before calling an air conditioning repair company. You’ll be glad you did.
Before You Do Anything, Assess the Problem First things first. Does the air conditioner work at all, or does it just work a little? Is it blowing warm air instead of cold air, or is it not blowing anything at all? Are there signs that it is getting power, or does the air conditioner look totally dead? Knowing these things will help you do two things: it will help you diagnose the problem, and it will make it easier for the ac repair company if you need to call them. The air conditioner not working at all indicates the condenser being the problem, while a sluggish ac unit indicates a fan blower belt issue.
Change the Batteries in the Thermostat
Open the thermostat panel and remove the batteries. Install fresh batteries and try to turn your system on again. If the A/C unit still doesn't turn on, check your thermostat settings and make sure the thermostat is set to cool. Lower your temperature below the current room temperature in order for the A/C to kick in.
Check your Breakers or Fuse Box
This may sound obvious, but it’s an easy thing to forget. Immediately after checking the batteries, find your breaker panel and Check that the fuses and circuit breakers are in place, being sure to reset them if necessary.
Check the Fan Blower Belt
Like I previously mentioned, a fan blower belt with too much slack may slow down the performance of your ac unit. A belt with too much slack will cause low air flow due to the formation of ice crystals. Allow the ice to melt, then replace the belt yourself. This is a fairly simple procedure.
Check or Replace the Air Filter
Air filters are very simple devices that serve a very important purpose: keeping your air clean. Of course, over time they become polluted by dust and other debris. A clogged filter can disrupt the entire mechanism of an air conditioning unit.
If your filter is fairly new, you can get away with cleaning it with water, then letting it air dry before reinstallation. If your filter looks old, it’s a good idea to replace it with a new one. Luckily, this isn't very expensive.
Make Sure Your AC Condenser Unit Isn't Blocked
Dust has a tendency to get into every little spot, so it's not uncommon for debris to find its way into your condenser as well. With the system turned off completely, inspect the condenser for anything that you think could be impeding its performance. Check the condenser coils as well, making sure that they are totally clean.
Check the Indoor Unit Safety Switch
There should be a safety switch that's located on a wall nearby the air conditioner or on the unit itself. Check that it didn't get switched off accidentally.
Doing those five things solves a high percentage of all problems with an air conditioning unit. However, if you still can't figure out what's wrong with your air conditioner, it’s time to call a reputable ac repair company. It’s important to make sure you choose one that is well-respected and affordable. Make sure you do your research so you have no regrets!
Gracie Gardner is an interior designer and home repair writer from Tucson, Arizona.
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