Check Your Air Conditioner Before Calling for Service

Of course, it would be the hottest day of the year that your air conditioner stops working! Getting it serviced can be expensive, and you'll just have to swelter while waiting for a service technician. Or do you? Check out these steps that can possibly save some money, and help you keep your cool at the same time!

Steps

Troubleshooting

  1. Assess the problem. Is the unit simply not working at all, is it not cooling the air much, or is it simply blowing around warm air?
  2. It's not working at all: the condenser (for an outdoor unit) or air handler/furnace (indoor unit) are not running.
    • Make sure it's plugged in. This may seem obvious, but there are occasions when this is exactly the problem. Whether kids, dogs, or an accidental tap with the vacuum cleaner, the plug could be partially or completely dislodged.
    • Check the circuit breakers and fuses. Make sure they are in place, turned on, and functioning properly. Circuits, especially with older homes, are easily overloaded if the air conditioner shares a circuit with appliances such as irons, refrigerators, or microwaves.
    • Check your thermostat (cooling control) and make sure it is set to cool at the current temperature, and working properly. As with plugs, sometimes settings can change by accident.
  3. Check your fan blower belt for excessive slack, damage, or breakage. This can cause low air flow which allows ice to form, and thus causes low cooling performance.
    • Repair or replace the blower belt. Allow the ice to melt before restarting the AC unit.
  4. Check the coils and filter. If they are caked with dust and debris, clean them thoroughly. Make sure you let any ice melt before restarting your unit.
  5. Call for service. If you've verified that everything is connected, powered, set up properly, and clean, it may be time to call the service department.

Preventative Maintenance

  1. Wash your condenser coil once a season, or as needed. Turn off your air conditioner, get a garden hose, and spray the coil using an up-and-down pattern. Be particularly attentive if your condenser is close to a dryer vent, or if your neighborhood is full of cottonwood trees. These two items are "air conditioner killers".
  2. Clean or change your filter regularly. This simple step alone can increase the efficiency of your air conditioner. It will also run less, increasing the life span of your equipment.
    • A good sign that your filter needs changing is the fact of ice forming inside your inside cooling unit (evaporator section).
    • This may be difficult to see as the unit is sealed, but touch the outside metal and feel for a noticeable temperature difference. You may also see ice on the large line going to the outside unit (suction line).
    • If ice is forming, it is possible that your air filter is severely dirty and restricting your normal air flow. This allows ice to form due to the fact that not enough heat is being introduced to your cooling section.



Tips

  • Keep your air conditioner clean for optimal performance and reliability.
  • Maintaining your air conditioner and having it serviced regularly increases the efficiency of your unit, reduces energy usage, and prevents wear and tear on your equipment.

Warnings

  • Do not attempt to diagnose any electrical problem unless you have been properly trained and/or are licensed.
  • Do not attempt any repair work unless you are a licensed heating and air conditioning technician. Most states require a licensed heating and air conditioning contractor to perform any repair work.
  • Do not bend the "fins" on the outside of the condenser. Make certain to wash the coils in an "up/down" fashion.
  • Do not immediately assume that if your air conditioner is not working that the thermostat is at fault. Tampering with the thermostat or is related wiring can cause more problems than you initially started with. If nothing is happening with the thermostat set, immediately call for service.
  • Do not attempt to add or remove refrigerant from your system unless you are licensed by the EPA. Fines and penalties await those who tamper with or release refrigerant in an unsafe or unapproved fashion.
  • When in doubt, stop. Immediately call a licensed heating and air conditioning contractor.

Things You'll Need

  • Garden hose
  • Replacement filter
  • Telephone book
  • Patience

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