Air Conditioner Not Working? Here’s What You Need to Do
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During hot summer days, your air conditioning unit will have to work twice as hard to keep your home cool. But what happens when your AC unit breaks down? Waiting for a repair technician isn’t always the most comfortable option, so it helps to know how to repair your AC unit yourself.
Our AC repair experts have put together their top do-it-yourself AC repair in Van Nuys tips so that you can keep you and your family cool. These are quick fixes to common AC failures, so it’s still a good idea to call a service guy who can permanently address your problems.
How to Fix Your AC Yourself
Say goodbye to sweltering heat. If your air conditioning unit has stopped working, you can take the DIY-route and fix it yourself. Here are the most common AC problems and what you can do to fix them:
Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On
If your air conditioner won’t turn on, don’t panic! In most cases, all you have to do is reset your thermostat and see if your unit turns back on. First, make sure that your AC unit is actually plugged in. Next, lower the thermostat to ten degrees while the setting is on cool.
If your AC still won’t turn on, check the circuit breaker. Air conditioning units can cause the circuit breaker to trip, ultimately cutting off power completely. Simply flip the switch on your circuit breaker to turn it on again, and check if it turns the AC back on.
Nothing wrong with the thermostat and the circuit breaker? Your AC might be experiencing something more serious: electrical or water damage. Check for leaks, rust, and smoke around your AC unit. If you see even the slightest sign of electrical and water damage, call a professional immediately.
When none of the tips above work, the problem might be with the motor or compressor. In this case, get in touch with a professional repair company to fix your AC.
Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling The Air
Does your AC turn on, but it’s just not cooling the air? Your AC unit likely has a blocked air condenser. Check the exterior of the unit (the one that’s facing outdoors) and remove any debris that might be blocking the air from circulating properly.
The next step is to check the filter. Over time, your AC unit’s filter will accumulate dirt and dust, which can restrict air. Take your filter out and check if it’s clean -- if it’s covered in dust, you simply have to replace your filter, which you can buy from most stores.
After doing the tips mentioned above, and your AC still isn’t cooling the air, the problem might be with the refrigerant or compressor. We wouldn’t recommend attempting to replace the refrigerant yourself. It’s best to work with a service guy.
Air Conditioner Is Cooling… But Not Enough
If your air conditioner turns on and is cooling the air, but it isn’t cooling it to your standards, your AC unit might be too small for your home. A typical AC unit maintains an average temperature difference of around 20-25 degrees between exterior and interior temperatures. Don’t expect your AC to keep the indoors at a comfortable 60 degrees when it’s 95 degrees hot outside.
Other Things You Can Do
Here are simple tips that you can practice to keep your surroundings even cooler:
Lower your curtains during the day to block sunlight
Use a dehumidifier
Turn off the lights
Conclusion
When things become too hot to handle, and if your DIY mobile repairs aren’t doing the trick, it’s best to call a professional AC repair company.
Guest Contributor: Joel Gerace, Ice Age HVAC