AC service may be necessary, but when the heat outside is all but suffocating you, there isn’t much you can do. Because of the complexity of an AC unit and the danger of making repairs yourself, most air conditioning problems are best handled by a professional. Before you call, however, make sure you do these five things.
Check Your Thermostat
You’d be amazed at how many service calls AC service professionals get over improperly set thermostats. Children can change thermostat settings, an automatic thermostat may have been programmed incorrectly or maybe you just forgot to change the thermostat when you came home. In any case, give your thermostat a quick check before panicking and calling a professional.
Check Your Breaker
If your AC unit has stopped working all together, take a moment to check your breakers. Some air units are placed on their own circuit or with other low-use electrical items to help prevent overheating. As a result, you may not have any indication (besides your non-working air flow) that a breaker switch has flipped.
Check Your Filter
If your AC is still working but doesn’t seem to be cooling very well, you may need to change your AC filter. Ice forming inside of the AC is another indication that the filter needs to be changed. Filters should be changed monthly on your air conditioning unit when it is in use. Failure to change the filter can cause your unit to function poorly, and if neglected long enough, cause severe damage.
Wash Condenser Coils Regularly
Dust and debris can get into the coils and reduce the efficiency of your AC unit. Failure to clean out the debris can lead to complete destruction of your AC unit. In addition to changing your filter every month, you should also take the time to spray off the condenser coils. This should be done more often if your AC unit is located near a dryer vent or you live in an area where cotton trees grow.
