Ross and Witmer When your air conditioner goes on the fritz during a hot summer day, waiting for a repairman can seem too long. If you know the basics of air conditioner troubleshooting, you can address several problems without having to wait. Here are a few things to try if you’re not keeping cool.
Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Tips
Check all the electrical connections, including the fuse box and circuit breaker that serves your A/C.- Make sure the thermostat hasn’t been bumped or accidentally re-set. If you have a battery-operated thermostat, make sure the batteries are fresh. Lower the temperature by a few degrees to see if that makes a difference; it may be that the thermostat’s sensor is in a cooler part of the house.
- Check the A/C’s air filter. If it’s clogged, simply changing it out can result in a noticeable boost to the amount of cool air circulating through your home.
- Clean the evaporator and condenser coils. If they’re dirty, they can’t pull heat out of your home effectively. The outdoor condenser should also have a clear path for airflow – about three feet on every side.
- Make sure the vents in your home are open and unobstructed.
- Grab the HVAC system’s owner’s manual and follow the instructions to check the system’s heat anticipator. The heat anticipator controls when the cooling system needs to turn on in order to get your home to the right temperature.
- Clear the condensate drain. A clogged drain causes standing water, leading to higher humidity. High humidity areas hold on to more heat than dry ones. If you have a humid home, investing in a dehumidifier will do a lot to keep you cool.
Check all the electrical connections, including the fuse box and circuit breaker that serves your A/C.If you’re still having problems with your A/C, don’t hesitate to call your local HVAC specialists. And never attempt any repairs on your air conditioner that you’re not comfortable doing.
Learn more about air conditioner troubleshooting from Ross & Witmer, or call us at 704-392-6188!