While cool air may not seem or sound very dire during a cold season, it becomes a must-have in hot months, especially during the day when the temperatures are high.
It is expected that an AC will work without any cool air coming out of it.
When that happens, you stand to lose a lot of money since the AC is still consuming electrical power without any evidence of its consumption, so do you need an AC repair?
Before you contemplate a replacement or seek professional assistance, try simple troubleshooting.
This is a sign that nothing serious is happening with the unit.
Change the Filters
Professional Maintenance And Repair Of Air Conditioners
Cold air from the exterior unit passes through filters for cleaning. When the filters are blocked by pet dander and dust, clean air may be trapped here and never reach your confines. If you hold the filters in the air but cannot see the other side, it is time to do away with them if they are not recyclable. If they are recyclable, consider washing them in dish soap and water. Depending on whether you have pets in the house, AC filters should be replaced every 3 or 2 months.
Reset the System
Like most systems, ACs are prone to errors, and you may sometimes never understand their source. Sometimes, the system will be jammed on its own without any particular reason. The remedy for such scenarios is to turn the system off on the thermostat and power source. Wait for a few minutes before turning the system back on, and it might work just fine.
Observe Thermostat Settings
A mishap in thermostat settings could cause the AC to not produce cool air. The correct settings should read ‘Automatic,’ so the system can cool the interior off upon sensing some warmth. If the system reads ‘fan’ on the thermostat, it means no cool air will come out of the system even though it is still running. The remedy for this error is to adjust the settings back to ‘Automatic.’
Inspect the Condenser
The condenser or the exterior unit is where warmth is discarded back to the surroundings, and at the same time, cold air comes through. It is also where the refrigerant (gas) is converted into liquid (water) before it is discarded through a drain pipe. Sometimes the condenser will not operate as intended due to blockage by plants and other yard debris. To combat this error, remove the vegetation by hand to avoid destroying the unit or transfer it to an open but conspicuous area.
Check Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant (gas) absorbs warmth from the system and passes it along the evaporator and condenser coils, where it is converted into water before being discarded through a drain pipe. Low refrigerant levels mean the warm air may never complete a cooling cycle, and the system may never achieve its purpose. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to refill the refrigerant to the optimum levels. If you are not very confident with the process, let a professional handle the refill.
Observe the Ductwork
, the ductwork refers to the conduits where cold air from the condenser unit passes before it reaches the distribution outlets in every room. The AC not giving the intended cold air may indicate some faults in the ductwork. These include pet dander and dust that may have blocked the channels or some loose joints where cold is escaping through before reaching your confines. The remedy for clogged ductwork is to use a vacuum to suck the contaminants and tighten the loose joints before applying a sealant.
Inspect the Mains
During a power surge, the system automatically shuts off to protect the compressor from damage by the excess current. Since a power surge may occur without your knowledge, consider observing the mains for a tripped breaker or burnt capacitor. The recourse for this is to turn the tripped breaker back on.
From inspecting the mains, changing filters, correcting the thermostat, unclogging the ductwork, and observing the condenser, you can troubleshoot common AC issues by yourself. Another hack to a healthy and long-lasting AC is to plan for professional maintenance every six months. This works by ensuring that no mishap goes unnoticed and unaddressed. For any troubleshooting task that you do not understand fully or are not comfortable with, let a professional handle it, or else risk further damage or electrocution.