Air Conditioning Repair Tips – Can You Do It Yourself?

When it comes to the summertime heat, the best way to beat it is to have the air conditioner turned up on high. However, when your air conditioner stops working or isn’t functioning up to par, it can seem like the end of the world. Luckily, there are some easy air conditioner repair tips that you can follow to get your system back up and running right.

Your Unit Doesn’t Have power.

If your air conditioning unit isn’t kicking on at all, there could be a few different culprits. The first could be the thermostat. It’s best to check the thermostat to see if it’s functioning and its current settings. The problem could be as simple as your desired temperature could be set higher than the actual room temperature.

Suppose the thermostat is set correctly, head to the breaker box. A quick check at the air conditioner breaker will tell you whether or not it has been tripped. Sometimes we get a little plug happy, and our circuit can’t handle everything that is drawing power from it. If your breaker keeps tripping, try unplugging other items on that same circuit that could be drawing out power. For checking out more, you can see here https://www.acecomfort-tx.com/ac-repair-houston/

The Thermostat Is Not Working

Your home’s thermostat is the key to keeping your home comfortable. However, when it’s not working correctly, it can put a damper on your family’s comfort level. It can be easy to get overwhelmed at the possible problems. But, in most situations, the thermostat needs a change of batteries. Most run on AA batteries and need to be replaced every few months. Newer systems will even have a battery level indicator so you can be alerted when your batteries are getting low on power.

If that doesn’t work, check the lock button on your thermostat. Intended as a safety feature to prevent children from changing the thermostat unknowingly, this feature can be an unsuspecting culprit that could be hindering the functioning of your thermostat. In advanced systems, you may need a key code to unlock the system.

If you’re still facing issues with your thermostat, it might be time to consider professional air conditioning installation services, as a malfunctioning thermostat could also be a sign of underlying HVAC system problems that require expert attention. Skilled technicians can diagnose and resolve complex issues to ensure your home’s cooling and heating systems are functioning optimally.

Your Air Conditioning System Isn’t Blowing Cool Air.

One of the most frustrating problems that you may encounter as a homeowner with your HVAC system is that it’s not cooling down your home. If you’ve had it set for multiple hours with no difference in temperature, then it’s a reason for concern. Most homeowners will be able to cool down their interior about three to four degrees per hour.

The first problem that you want to look for is the blocking of the registers throughout your home. Please take a moment and ensure that all of the registers are wide open, and there are no elements in your home blocking them. It can be easy to move around the living room and forget that you blocked a register with the couch. If that doesn’t help, it’s time to move onto the filter.

Each HVAC system will come with a filter. This should be replaced once every three months. However, the frequency of change will highly depend on your lifestyle. For example, homes with multiple dogs should have filter changes once every month. If it’s been a while, head to your filter and pull it out. If you can’t see through your filter, it will need to be replaced. A dirty, clogged filter can make it hard for the cold air to circulate throughout your home. If you can still see through the filter, then you’ll need to head outside.

Outside, you’ll need to take a look at your condenser unit. Assess the condition of the condenser coils. If possible, clean them off. Outside debris can clog up these coils and make them malfunction. If you notice ice on the coils, then it’s an indication that there was inadequate airflow. You’ll need to run the blower fan and let it deice before turning on the air conditioning.

Blown Fuses At Your Disconnect Block

Your outdoor condenser unit will have a disconnected block. Inside of this block will be located two cartridge fuses. When these fuses blow, it can be a sign of an internal problem with the unit. To test the fuse, you’ll need a multimeter. Set it on the lowest Ohms and use the black and red ends to touch opposing ends of the same fuse. If the multimeter returns a minus symbol, a zero, or an infinity symbol, then the fuse is blown.

You may be tempted to replace the fuse that failed simply. However, I realize this may not be the only problem with the system. If you find that multiple fuses keep failing, then it’s time to look at the access panel. It’s very common for rodents to nest in these areas and chew up the wiring and electrical connections. Therefore, you’ll want to assess the condition of all your electrical wires. If you find chewed up wires, simply replace them with new ones. If you’re not comfortable with wiring, then call in a pro.

Replacing Internal Parts

HVAC systems come with lots of internal parts that can fail from time to time. Identifying the faulty part is only the first step in your journey. Next, you’ll need to know how to replace it. Parts like fan motors, blades, fuses, AC contactors, and capacitors are pretty easy fixes for the average person with basic tools. When it comes to the system’s wiring, you should have extensive knowledge of wiring or call in a professional. It’s important to ensure that the fixes you do to your system will last and not damage other system components.

There are many problems that you may experience with your HVAC system over the years. Taking the time to learn about your system and how it works can save you a ton of repair costs as you can do them yourself. Just be sure to practice proper safety protocol and turn off the power to your system if you’re going to be handling any of the electrical or are cleaning the system.