If your air conditioner is having a problem, don’t ignore it and hope that it resolves itself! But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to get professional help yet. Before deciding you need AC repairs, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take that might help you avoid the inconvenience and expense. You may just find that your broken AC in Duluth, GA can be up and running again in moments with one of these easy fixes.
First, Check the Electrical Panel
If your air conditioner turned off unexpectedly, or won’t turn on, your first port of call should be the electrical panel that directs the flow of electricity to the various circuits in your home. Sometimes, an air conditioner trips a circuit breaker. It may be that you plugged something else into the same circuit, like a vacuum cleaner for example, and the combined load was too great for the circuit. If you find that the breaker has tripped, reset it.
With luck, your problem will be resolved, but if that same breaker keeps tripping when your air conditioner is running, you need professional repairs.
Second, Check the Thermostat
Is your thermostat actually set to “cool” and not “heat” or “off”? Sometimes a curious child, playful pet, or even an accidental elbow can unexpectedly turn your thermostat off. If it’s on, check the settings. Could it be that it’s been turned to a “vacation” setting that allows your house to be much warmer than you want it to be when you’re home? These things happen more often than you might think, and it’s easy to check.
Third, Check the Air Filter
When the AC unit’s air filter gets clogged with dust, it prevents the airflow that’s required for the unit to operate. Without sufficient airflow, the system will work harder and harder to try to cool your home. This can lead to an overheating fan motor, the system shutting down to protect itself, and your home not getting cool enough. Some AC air filters are disposable—you can simply throw them away and put in a new one—and others are reusable and can be washed, dried, and reinserted. You should be doing this monthly during the summer, when your air conditioner is seeing heavy use.
Fourth, Check the Condenser Unit
The condenser unit is the outdoor portion of your air conditioner. It also needs good airflow to allow the heat carried from your home to dissipate. To keep the condenser unit functioning optimally, trim any plants that are close to the unit, rake away any leaf litter or other debris, and wash the coils with a gentle stream from your garden hose. Just make sure not to use a high-pressure nozzle, which could cause damage.
Time for Professional Repairs
If your problem was not resolved by any of the above steps, you need a qualified AC technician to come take a look. It’s important to do this promptly, because when problems are allowed to continue without repairs, they can get much worse. Also, an air conditioner that’s not working well tends to use a lot more energy, driving up your utility bills. But now when you do make an appointment, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you did everything you could to make sure this appointment is absolutely necessary.
To speak with a member of our team, contact DC Cheek Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today. Fixed, At the Speed of Life!
