Air conditioning units have become a staple in most households, especially during the hot summer months. However, like any other appliance, they are prone to malfunctions and breakdowns. Before calling for professional help, there are several troubleshooting steps homeowners can take to identify and possibly resolve common AC problems.

Firstly, if your air conditioner isn’t turning on at all, check the circuit breaker. A power surge or overload could have tripped it off. If this is not the issue and the unit still won’t start up, inspect the thermostat settings. Ensure that it’s set to “cool” mode and that the temperature is lower than room temperature.

Secondly, if your AC is running but not cooling effectively or blowing warm air instead of cool air, you might be dealing with dirty filters or condenser coils. These components play an essential role in cooling down your home by circulating refrigerant and removing heat from indoor air respectively. When they get clogged up with dust and grime over time, their efficiency decreases significantly leading to poor cooling performance.

You can clean or replace these parts yourself without needing technical expertise. To clean the filter simply remove it from its housing (usually located inside a door at the hvac near me front of your unit), wash it gently under running water using mild soap then let it dry completely before reinstalling it back into its slot.

For condenser coil cleaning though you’ll need a fin comb which is available at most hardware stores for few dollars only. Carefully run this tool through each row of fins on your condenser coil to straighten them out and remove any accumulated dirt.

Additionally if you notice that your AC system cycles on and off frequently without reaching desired temperature levels then there might be an issue with its size i.e., either it’s too big or too small for space being cooled which causes inefficiencies in operation leading to frequent cycling behavior as described above.

Lastly when all else fails remember that some issues are beyond DIY fixes and require professional intervention. Problems like refrigerant leaks, faulty capacitors or compressor issues are complex and should be handled by certified technicians only to avoid causing further damage or voiding your warranty.

In conclusion, while it’s always recommended to have a regular maintenance schedule for your AC unit to prevent major breakdowns, knowing how to troubleshoot common problems can save you time and money. Always remember though that if a problem persists after trying these troubleshooting tips, it’s best to call in the professionals.

Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation
9745 Business Park Dr F, Sacramento, CA 95827
916-299-7558