Don’t Call Yet. 4 Easy Fixes That Will Save You an AC Repair Charge
At Schneller Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’re always trying to help our customers save money. With air conditioning season about to begin, we thought we’d alert you to some common air conditioner problems that we get repair calls for which end up not needing repairs. If your AC shows these symptoms, first check this list to avoid an unnecessary service call.
Problem: Your Air Conditioning System Isn’t Powering On
If you turn your air conditioner on at the start of the season and it doesn’t work, check these possible causes before calling for professional help:
Check your thermostat – This sounds silly, but sometimes the problem is simply that your thermostat is still set to “heat” and all you need to do is switch it to “cool”.
Check your thermostat batteries – Thermostats run on batteries and they do wear out. People often forget to replace batteries in their thermostat and end up wasting money on a service call.
Problem: Your Unit Isn’t Cooling Your Home Properly
Is your home feeling warmer than the setting on the thermostat? Your air conditioner could have one of several problems:
Check your air filter – Believe it or not, dirty air filters can make it hard for your AC to push the air through your home. In some newer high-efficiency models, a dirty filter can cause a system to shut down, so make sure there’s a clean filter in your AC.
It could also be low on refrigerant, which means you have a leak. Time to call a professional.
Problem: Your AC Stops Working after It Has Been Running
So you turned your AC on, all was well for a few hours, then…nothing.
Check your evaporator coil – sometimes the evaporator coil in your air conditioner gets dirty or freezes up. Either scenario is not a good one. Try cleaning your coil of dust and debris or frost. If it is frozen, turn the AC off and let it thaw completely before turning it on again. If it doesn’t help, give us a call.
Related Read: 3 Benefits of Upgrading to a High-Efficiency Heating and Cooling System
There is one surefire way to protect your system from problems like these, and that is to invest in annual maintenance of your air conditioning system. Regular air conditioner tune-ups keep your system running smoothly, and increase its lifespan.
How Do You Know When to Replace Your AC or Furnace?
Are your furnace and air conditioner getting old? How do you know if it’s time to replace it? The talented heating and cooling technicians at Schneller have created a handy checklist that will help you determine if your old units have some life left in them, or if it’s time to call us to discuss replacement options. Click the button below to download our You Be the Tech Check checklist.