Air conditioners tend to break down at the worst possible times. When it is the middle of summer, you don’t want to be without your air conditioner for more than a few minutes. If your air conditioner breaks down, there are some things you can do to try to fix it yourself. Below is a list of 4 air conditioner troubleshooting techniques that may get your system up and running again without a hefty repair bill.
1. Examine The Controller Settings
So many people have problems using their air conditioners controller, and this can effect the performance of an air conditioner. Air conditioners have separate heating and cooling functions, and if the wrong one is selected the air conditioner will not work. Get to know how your controller works. If you have problems, try reading the manual, asking the contractor who sold you the system or look your problem up on the net. You may find others are having the same difficulties as you.
2. Have A Look At The Outdoor Compressor
Check the compressor for damage and wear and tear. Make sure the fan is free from any obstructions. Kids often like to place sticks and twigs into the fan. Plastic bags and rope can also get easily caught in the fan outlets. Also check that the condensor is not icing up. Any of these signs points to a more serious problem, and you may need to call in a hvac contractor to fix these problems.
3. Clean The Air Conditioning Filters
The most common cause of air conditioner faults is a dirty filter. Some people use their air conditioner for a lifetime without cleaning the filters, and it puts enormous strain on the unit which will cause it to break down. Clean your filters at least once a month to ensure your air conditioner has many more years of service. If your air conditioner is struggling to get to your desired temperature setting, clean the filters immediately.
4. Reset And Restart Your Air Conditioning Unit
Just like computers, air conditioners will often respond to a simple resetting if they are not working. It sounds like a simple air conditioning troubleshooting tip, but by simply doing this your air conditioner may restart. Be sure to turn the unit off at the meter box as well as the isolator switch if one is installed. If your unit has one, you will usually find the isolator switch on the side of your home. Keep the power to the unit off for a few minutes before turning back on. It is a simple thing to do that often achieves results.
So if your air conditioner is struggling, or worse still not working, be sure to try these 4 troubleshooting tips. It may save you a lot of money from an expensive air conditioning callout. If none of these things work, it is time to call in the hvac contractor.
Note - If you have a cheap apartment air conditioning system that breaks down, sometimes it is more cost effective to replace rather than repair the system. For more advice about air conditioners for apartments, please have a look around our site.
Tags: air conditioner trouble shooting tips, Air Conditioning, air conditioning maintenance, broken down air conditioner, damaged air conditioner, hvac advice