Troubleshooting Your Central Air Conditioning System

Central heating and air has become something that many of us take for granted on a daily basis. It's not until you have an issue that causes an interruption that you truly realize how important these climate control systems are to our daily lives. In addition to regulating the temperature within our homes, our heating and cooling systems help moderate humidity, filter interior air and more. Because of their complexity, there are also many things that can go wrong with a central air system. Because of this, it is important for the average homeowner to know how to troubleshoot so that they can decide whether they can fix it themselves or if they need to call a heating and air specialist out to help. Here are a few tips for troubleshooting your central air conditioning:

If Your Condenser Won't Run

Start by checking your breaker panel for a blown fuse or tripped breaker. Your AC can't run without power. If this is the case, just flip the breaker back to the on position. If you do not have a problem in your electrical panel, check to see if your thermostat is set too high. Try lowering it by 5 degrees and see if it causes your unit to turn on. If none of these fix the problem, then you may have a faulty motor or compressor. In this case, call an air conditioning repair technician in your area to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

If You Have Uneven or Inadequate Cooling

Start by lowering your thermostat by 5 degrees to see if you have it set too high. You may also have a dirty evaporator. Clean your condenser unit with a water hose, and ensure that there is enough room around it to promote the proper amount of airflow. If you still have inadequate cooling, you may need a new, or larger condenser unit. Talk to a local HVAC technician to discuss your options.

If Your Condenser Unit Turns on and Off Constantly

If you have a condenser that repeatedly turns on and off, start by cleaning your condenser. Remove any large debris; making sure that there is enough room all around the condenser for air to flow in and out. You can then spray the entire unit with your water hose to remove any small dirt and debris.

One of the most important things to remember when troubleshooting your air conditioner is to not get in above your skill level. If you are fairly handy, then there are many things that you can do on your own. In fact, many of the issues that most homeowners face can be remedied with very simple fixes. If something seems more serious or long lasting, however, make sure to call a local professional. This can save you a huge headache down the line.