How do I fix my air conditioner that is not cooling?
Summer is almost here and that means a lot of people are starting to panic about their air conditioners. If your AC is not cooling your home like it should, don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue. Before getting started, make sure to turn off the breaker that controls the unit and wait five minutes before trying anything else. If that still doesn’t work, there may be something blocking the condenser or evaporator coil. In this case, you will need to call a technician in to inspect the system. Once you have ruled out all other potential issues, it’s time to start figuring out what needs to be done to get your AC back up and running properly. Here are a few tips to get you started:
What are the symptoms of an air conditioner that is not cooling?
If your air conditioner is not cooling, there are a few things you can do to check for the issue. The most common symptom of an uncooled AC unit is high humidity levels in the room. If you notice that the room is steadily getting drier and more uncomfortable, your AC unit may not be working properly.
In addition to checking the air conditioner’s operation, another indicator that your AC unit may not be cooling is if ice starts forming on the outside of the unit. When this happens, it means that condensation has formed on the coils and is leaking into the atmosphere.
If these first two steps don’t help, then you may need to take your AC apart to determine where the problem lies.
How to test your air conditioner for proper function
There are a few things you can do to test your air conditioner for proper function. One way is to use an air conditioner diagnostic tool. These tools cost around $50 and usually come with instructions. Another way is to check the AC unit’s power cord and plug it into a known working outlet. If the AC unit starts up and produces cooling, the unit is likely functional. If the AC unit doesn’t start up or produces less cooling than usual, there may be a problem with the unit and you will need to take it in for repair or replacement.
How to Fix Your Air Conditioner
If your air conditioner is not cooling, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. You may need to adjust the thermostat, clean the condenser unit or coil, or replace the air conditioner. Adjusting the thermostat is usually the easiest solution and should only take a few minutes. Cleaning the condenser unit or coil can be more complicated and may require specialist equipment. Replacing the air conditioner is usually the most expensive option and should be done only if other solutions fail.
To adjust the thermostat, first check to see if the power is off. If it is not, turn the power off at the breaker box and wait five minutes. Then turn it back on to your air conditioner and wait until it reaches the desired temperature.
To clean the condenser unit or coil, remove the cover by unscrewing the four screws on the front of the unit. Clean the dust and debris with a vacuum cleaner and a bucket of water. Replace the cover and screws.
To clean the condenser unit or coil, first turn off the power to the air conditioner and wait five minutes. Then remove the cover on the front of the unit. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or debris from the unit. Be sure to use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment if there are large particles stuck to the unit. Follow the instructions that came with your air conditioner to clean the filters.
To replace the air conditioner, first check to see if the power is off. If it is not, turn the power off at the breaker box and wait five minutes. Then turn it back on to your air conditioner and wait until it reaches the desired temperature. To find a replacement air conditioner, contact your local home improvement or appliance store.
If adjusting the thermostat or cleaning the condenser unit or coil do not fix the problem, you may need to replace the air conditioner.
Conclusion
If your air conditioner is not cooling, it may be because of a number of factors. In order to fix the issue, you’ll need to take a look at all of the potential causes and find the one that is causing your air conditioner to not work as efficiently as it should. Once you have determined which factor is causing the issue, you can begin to troubleshoot and fix it.