Having a problem with your central air conditioning system always seems to come during the hottest day of the year. If you are experiencing trouble with your air conditioning system, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the issue before having to call in the professional HVAC technicians.
The first thing you should do if your air conditioning unit stops working is check for power. Electrical issues are more common than you may think. Often times, a homeowner will call in an HVAC service technician to fix the air conditioning unit, but the only trouble was that it had somehow lost power or the breaker had been tripped. In order to save your self the cost of a service call, make sure the air conditioning unit has power running to it. This would also be a good time to clear away any dirt and debris that has gathered around the electrical components. Of course, if you see any frayed wires, make sure the power is turned off at the breaker before touching them.
Cleaning the dirt away from the unit is another way you can troubleshoot the problem yourself. Dirt on the coils and pipes of refrigerant will hamper the transfer of heat. Dirt in the air filter will prevent airflow. It is important to make sure the filter is changed regularly to ensure the unit can disperse air properly at maximum energy efficiency. When air cannot flow freely through the blower and into the ductwork, you may begin to see icy buildup or feel hot air coming out of the registers rather than the cool air-conditioned air. It is quite common for people to call in an HVAC expert to fix a problem with their cooling system, only to realize that if they had changed the filter, they would've fixed the problem. It's amazing that a small maintenance task such as replacing the air filter can have such a big impact on the entire function of the air conditioning unit.
Another common problem with air conditioners is the leakage or depletion of refrigerant. If your unit is leaking Freon (the gas that acts as the cooling refrigerant), it can be an environmental issue. Instead of continuing to run the air conditioner when it is not working properly, shut it off and disconnect power to it. If the unit is low on its charge of refrigerant, turn it off and wait for a certified HVAC service technician to reload it. This can only be done by a certified heating and cooling professional.
You will know that your air conditioning unit is having a problem when you begin to feel hot air coming through the vents in your home or when you see icy buildup on the pipes of the unit. If you keep up with your routine maintenance and check for electrical issues, your next step should be to call in the pros.
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