When the hot summer days hit, you must be able to rely on your air conditioner to cool your home. What do you do when you turn down the thermostat and nothing happens? We discuss some DIY air conditioning repair troubleshooting tips to get your heating & cooling system back online, and when to call the pros.
How Do Air Conditioners Work?
Summer heat is tolerable with the help of our home’s AC. However, do you know how they work? Air conditioners move heat from inside the home to the outside of the home, which leaves cooler air inside the home.
More technically, your air conditioner’s compressor condenses the refrigerant in the outdoor unit, and the refrigerant changes from gas to liquid. The liquid moves into the indoor unit and a fan circulates air over the evaporator.
The evaporator coil draws warmth from the air and the refrigerant turns from liquid to gas. It cycles out to the condenser coils where heat is let off into the atmosphere. Then, cooler air flows through your home’s ducts and into your living spaces.
When one part of your system is not working, you need to do some air conditioning repair troubleshooting. Below we review several ideas to try on your own to get your system working again.
Air Conditioning Repair Troubleshooting: Filter
Your HVAC system’s filter is important to the quality of your air and the function of your system. A dirty filter is one of the most common problems with an air conditioner. Check your system’s filter and owner’s manual. Some filters are reusable and some are disposable.
Some need to be changed each month and some last longer. Refer to your manufacturer’s instructions and replace or clean your filter. This is often the simple fix you need!
Air Conditioning Repair Troubleshooting: Thermostat
Next, check your thermostat. Make sure it is level, turned to cool mode, clean on the inside, and not affected by direct sunlight from a window or other heat source. Some newer systems are easy to ‘bump’ and change the temperature.
Try closing blinds in the room where the thermostat is located. If you still suspect the problem is with your thermostat, contact a professional.
Air Conditioning Repair Troubleshooting: Drainage
The next step in air conditioning repair troubleshooting is to check the drain line. The drain line in your system may clog with dirt, dust or lint. If it is clogged it causes numerous problems, but the first one homeowners typically notice is the drain pan is full or there is a puddle of water around your unit.
When you have AC troubles and it is not the filter or thermostat, check around your interior unit for water. If you find some, simply clear out your drainage hose with a stiff brush or wire.
Finally, if all these suggestions above still do not fix your AC, you have probably done all the air conditioning repair troubleshooting you are able to as a DIY job. It is now time to call a trusted professional for AC repairs near you.
When You Need Expert HVAC Contractors Call Hoover
Hoover has been around since 1980 repairing air conditioners in southeast Michigan. We pride ourselves on providing honest, punctual, and expert work. Our technicians are thoroughly trained and put your comfort first. When the hot, summer weather moves in and your air conditioner quits, call Hoover right away!
