Renting a home for the first time? Or perhaps just purchased an air conditioning unit? An AC unit can be a great way to keep temperatures down during the summertime, and most HVAC units can last an average of 12 years, yet only with proper AC repair and maintenance.
Why repair and maintain air conditioners? It could be simple and less time-consuming to simply call up an air conditioning company for all repair and maintenance needs, but why spend the money? Making a simple fix, such as replacing a dirty, clogged filter can lower your system’s energy consumption by 5-15%.
Note that AC repair and maintenance is also a preventative measure. Between 2006 and 2010, poorly maintained AC units and fan equipment led to 2,500 out of 7,200 home fires. Broken heating pumps made up 500 of those 7,200 fires. So, how does one do their own repair and maintenance?
How to do AC maintenance and repairs:
- If the unit isn’t running, first check the power to make sure it is plugged in. If that’s not the issue, check the fuse box for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Another option would be that the thermostat is not set at the correct temperature. Try lowering the temperature by five degrees and listen for it to turn on.
- Air conditioners create quite a bit of condensation, especially when they are running more frequently. The condensation gathers in a rubber or plastic drain tube and heads through a floor drain that eventually leads to the outside. If water pools at the base of the equipment, this means something may be blocking the water flow or the pump is not properly attached. Make sure it is connected or remove the check valve and clean the tube (which usually fills with algae).
- When the air conditioning unit turns on and off repeatedly, this could also be an issue of a blocked condenser unit and/or a dirt evaporator. Carefully clean both parts with a wet towel or disinfectant wipe and remove any obstructions. Check the same parts if the conditioner runs but isn’t cooling the house.
- For central aid conditioning units, if the house doesn’t seem to be cooling properly, first try lowering the temperature five degrees. If this doesn’t work, clean the evaporator as it could be dirty. If this still doesn’t work, the unit could be the wrong size for the house. Today’s best AC units use 30-50% less energy than they did in the 1970’s, so look to buying a new one.
Call the Professionals: After troubleshooting any of the above issues and left with no results, it may be time to call in a professional because an AC repair may be needed. A professional should definitely be called when dealing with coolant.