There’s nothing worse than having the AC unit break down during hot summer days or even worse during the cold winter season. Unfortunately, this happens to homeowners across the country on multiple occasions. Depending on your location, this could be a yearly occurrence if you live in an area that has extreme weather conditions. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself if this does happen. In this article, we’ll discuss the top 6 things you can do to fix it fast and get your life back on track.
Check The Filters And Clean Them
If there is one thing that you should know about AC filters, it’s how prone they are to getting dirty and clogged. Not cleaning them out allows them to work themselves into a frenzy and makes the unit perform poorly. As mentioned at filterbuy.com, checking and cleaning or replacing your filters is something you can do today with very little effort. Cleaning them is a must and most manufacturers recommend that you do it once a month. The importance of maintaining your filters can’t be overstated, so try your best not to neglect them.
Check Your Outdoor Unit For Damage
Outdoor units are exposed to the elements and are more likely to break down. Before you do any troubleshooting, take a good look at your outdoor unit and make sure the blades are not bent or broken. You can do this by checking that they are parallel with each other. If you notice any damage, you will likely need to replace them before anything else (if they’re fixable). Another thing to look for is loose panels which could be preventing the coils inside from dissipating heat properly. If you notice damage to the outdoor unit, it could be a good idea to have an HVAC professional come out and do a proper diagnosis.
Check The Freon Supply
Working with freon isn’t something most homeowners want to do. Freon is an essential compound found in every AC system, but over time it leaks out of your system due to wear and tear or environmental factors around your home. This supply needs to constantly be refilled since leaks have been known to happen. This is not something that you should do on your own, since there might be more serious underlying issues, so you should contact an AC repairman for this task. They will also determine if you need a new system installed or just need freon added, which will save you both time and money in the long run.
Check All The Electrical Components
Inspecting your electrical components is important when troubleshooting your AC unit. In some cases, this could be the primary cause of a malfunction even if you followed all instructions when maintaining it. One thing to check when inspecting the electrical components is that all wires are wired and threaded properly and none of these appear damaged (loose connections don’t count). Another thing to look out for is loose wires which would need to be tightened in place before checking the next component.
Check The Fins And Coils
The fins and coils inside your AC unit play a pivotal role in transferring heat away from essential parts such as the motor (and other electronic components). If these fins get bent or broken, they’re going to lose their ability to dissipate heat and your AC unit will not be able to function properly. They might even start overheating and catch fire! There are two ways you can check the fins and coils: one is visually (open up your AC system and look inside) and another is to feel if they’re hot (your AC system should never get warm). If any of them appear damaged, it’s time to replace them since you won’t be able to fix these on your own.
Call In The Professionals
If all steps have been followed correctly but nothing seems to work, it may be time for a professional inspection from an HVAC specialist. This could save you from further financial loss if something major needs to be replaced. HVAC repair Phoenix specialist are also able to provide maintenance contracts for homeowners who don’t want the hassle of owning an AC unit on their own. An inspection will get rid of any doubts about whether or not you need repairs done on your AC system, so it’s always good to get one before things get out of hand.
It’s important to note that taking good care of your AC unit can help you avoid costly maintenance in the future. It is recommended to read the manual when troubleshooting to get a better understanding of what needs replacing and why, but these tips should be enough for most homeowners who just want their AC system back up and running again. However, if you encounter any bigger problems, you should consult a professional for expert advice.
