Having a functional air conditioner can be a literal lifesaver during some scorching summer days. But, like everything else, they are not infallible and can break. Fortunately, they usually give warning signs before getting to the point that they completely break and require you to get a brand-new unit. Here are some common problems that AC owners usually face and how they can be fixed.
Hot, Not Cool, Air
If your AC is blowing hot air, that can mean a number of things are going on with the unit. The first possibility, after you check the thermostat settings to make sure that nothing was switched, could be that the filter is clogged or just filthy. Take the filter out and inspect it. If it’s really soiled, then you should clean it or change it. If that’s not the case, then look at the condenser – there are two copper lines that go into it. Feel the larger one to see if it’s cold and moist. If it is, then you have enough coolant. If it’s not, then you should get a professional to refill it.
Not Powering On
If your air conditioner was working and then suddenly turned off and won’t turn back on, that can really leave you feeling consternated. There are a few things that could be causing this. Fortunately, you can check on some parts of the unit to see if that’s the culprit, first
Are the thermostat batteries current or do you need to change them? That could be an easy fix for you. Also, check the circuit breaker to see if it somehow got tripped due to an overload. That would just require a flip of a switch to reset it. If it’s not either of those, then you’re going to need a technician to come take a look at it, since you don’t want to be possibly causing more problems.
Leaking
If you notice that your air conditioner is dripping, you don’t want to leave that alone. It can wind up possibly causing problems with your house. There are several reasons why this can happen. While something like a clogged condensation line can be fixed by you if you read the manual. Other times, you’re better off talking with a professional who can examine your unit and figure out why the leak is happening and fix it quickly. Otherwise, you’re running the risk of possibly having to pay to have flood damage fixed, which, we don’t need to tell you, is expensive.
Uneven Distribution Around the Home
Are some of your homes freezing and others feel like the Sahara? That could be because your AC is unbalanced. There are various things that you can do, including putting up curtains that block the sun, checking the insulation in each room, and possibly getting dampers to give balance to the airflow.
Loud Noises
While you might hear some mild whirring while your air conditioner is working fine, it can be really noisy when things like metal grinding against each other can point to a belt being broken. Check your filter and see if there is any debris in there. If that doesn’t work, call a professional to come take a look at it to prevent any possible damage from getting worse. Waiting could make it go from a simple repair to a costly replacement.
Ultimately, if you’re not certain about what’s going on with your air conditioner and why it’s doing whatever unusual thing it is, you should call in a professional to have them look at it. If you try to fix it yourself, you could wind up voiding any warranty, and that could be an expensive mistake. While you might have to pay for a technician, that money will likely be significantly less than what you would have to shell out for a new unit. That alone will make getting the technical help you needed worth it.
