BusinessHABEmergency ac repair near me: Few things in life are as irritating as your air conditioner acting up on a hot summer day. But before you pick that phone up to spend hard-earned money on a potentially-unnecessary service call, there are a few basic things you should do to see if you can solve or identify the problem yourself. Keep in mind, you will not be able to solve every potential problem. It’s not safe to mess around with your AC’s electrical wiring, and opening the AC system up may just make the problem worse, so don’t hesitate to call for help if you need it.
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Emergency ac repair near me
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1. Check the circuit breaker to see if it’s been tripped.
If you’ve got too many electronics plugged in and running, you may have overloaded the circuit. This is especially likely if you’ve got a bunch of fans running during a hot summer day. Check your fuse box to see if the circuit breaker is set in the off position and flip it back on.
- If everything else shut down at the same time, you may simply be dealing with a power outage.
2. Replace the filter every 1-3 months depending on how often it’s running.
If your AC system is acting up, replacing the filter may solve the issue. A dirty filter can lead to a variety of problems, and if replacing the filter fixes whatever issue you have, you probably don’t need to call a pro. Even if the AC is running just fine, make sure you replace it regularly to keep it running efficiently.
- In central air systems, the filters are typically located in the return ducts on walls or ceilings. Room and window units usually have a filter behind the grill on the front of the unit. Split systems usually have a reusable filter in a panel on the compressor.
Emergency ac repair near me
3. You can clean the system yourself to save a few dollars if you’d like.
Cleaning a central, split, or window AC unit on your own will keep it running efficiently. While a service technician will do this for you on a service call, doing it yourself may save you some money.
- You may be able to clean the inside of your AC system depending on how comfortable you are opening your AC unit up, but you won’t be able to spot any serious issues without a service technician.
- Any service work involving leaks, electrical problems, fan issues, or blower components will require a pro. These aren’t reasonable DIY tasks
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4. Warm air, leaks, and inconsistent air flow all merit a call.
You should get a yearly service call regardless of whether your AC system is working correctly or not. However, if your AC is blowing out warm air, leaking refrigerant, or it seems to struggle blowing out air at all, contact an HVAC technician to have them take a look as soon as you can.X
Emergency ac repair near me
5. EXPERT TIP
Schedule your yearly service in the spring, before you start using it for the year. You should also inspect your air conditioner regularly for signs of mold or debris – if these are present, it’s time for a service, even if a full year has not gone passed.
6. Electrical problems also deserve a service call.
If the AC system turns on and off when it shouldn’t, or the power cuts out randomly, get a technician to take a look. While you may be tempted to open your AC unit up and start toying with wires, it’s not particularly safe to do this and you may make the problem worse. Just have a pro take a look.
Emergency ac repair near me
7. Turn the AC on and check the temperatures and refrigerant lines.
Find the refrigerant line on your compressor. This is usually the largest pipe on a central air or split compressor. If there’s a bit of condensation on this pipe when the AC is running, it’s healthy. You can also take a thermometer and set it inside one of your ducts where the air is blowing out. Let the AC run for a while, and cross-reference the thermostat with the thermometer. If the numbers are relatively close, it’s functioning correctly.
- You can either set the thermostat on a vent, or do a more precise check by testing the return and supply ducts near your central air unit.
- For window units, you should be able to tell if it’s working or not just by looking at it. If there isn’t any ice building up on the coils and it’s blowing cold air when you turn it on, it’s working just fine.
8. Strange noises, leaks, and airflow disruption are common signs.
A dying AC compressor can cause a variety of issues. However, there’s no way for you to confirm it without getting a pro to take a look. They’ll be able to test the leads and terminals inside of the compressor with a multimeter to determine if the compressor is actually dying.
9. Try resetting the compressor if it shuts off randomly.
If your AC system shuts down randomly and you’re suspecting a compressor problem, flip the circuit breakers, wait 5 minutes, and try flipping them back on to see if that helps. If it doesn’t, follow your AC unit’s instruction manual to find the high-pressure limit switch, which is usually located on the compressor’s access panel. Flip that to see if your problem goes away.
- If this doesn’t do the trick, it’s definitely time to call a professional.
Emergency ac repair near me
10. Check the auto settings on your thermostat.
If your air conditioner keeps kicking on and off in intervals, look at your thermostat to see if it’s set to “auto” or “automatic.” If it is, this is why your AC keeps shutting off. When it’s set to auto, the AC system will only turn on after the temperature has risen past the number on your thermostat.
- It’s much more efficient to keep the thermostat set to “auto” when you’re heating or cooling your home. Still, if it isn’t warm or cool enough for you, feel free to adjust the thermostat!
11. Replace the thermostat’s batteries and see if it comes back on.
Read your instruction manual to see how you take the faceplate off. In most cases, there’s a small lip on the cover and you can just pry it off by hand. Replace the batteries in your thermostat and put the cover back on to see if that resolves the problem.
- If there are any electrical issues, you won’t be able to fix those on your own. Call an electrician or HVAC technician to have them take a look at the problem.
Emergency ac repair near me
12. Change the air filter.
Your filter needs to be replaced every 3 months or so. During the hot season, you may need to replace it every month. If you’ve got a problem with your AC unit and you haven’t replaced the filter in a while, do that first. If the problem resolves itself, you don’t need to call anyone. If the problem persists, you’ll probably need to call an HVAC technician.
- On a central AC system, the filter is usually located in the duct on the return line, or on the furnace. In a ductless system, there’s a reusable filter on the condenser outside. For a window unit, the filter is usually behind the grates on the front.
13. Check your vents and ducts for blockages.
If there are any obstructions in front of the vents or ducts, this could disrupt your system’s ability to function correctly. Take a stroll around your home and make sure all of your vents and ducts are clear and open. If necessary, rearrange your furniture to make sure that everything is open.
- If there is any debris outside around your condenser unit, clear it away. This can occasionally be the source of the problem.
14. See if the air filter is dirty and change it out.
Swapping out your air filter may help. A dirty filter can mess with an AC unit’s ability to blow out cool air, so try this first to see the problem resolves itself. If you have a reusable filter, clean it thoroughly before replacing it.
Emergency ac repair near me
15. Inspect the refrigerant line.
On a central or split system, go outside and look for the largest pipe leading into your AC’s condenser. If your AC is on and this pipe has ice on it, shut your system off and give this pipe time to thaw before turning it back on. If this problem occurs again, you may be running low on refrigerant.
16. Clean off the condenser coil on the outside unit.
Head outside and remove any garbage surrounding the condenser. If anything is stuck in the fins, remove it by hand or with a broom. Then, grab a hose and gently spray down your condenser unit. Keep rinsing it until the water runs clear. Dirty coils can occasionally disrupt the airflow and make it feel like your vents are blowing out warm air.
- You can clean the coils on a window unit as well, but you’ll need to take it outside to do this.
17. It sounds oddly simple, but you turn it off and turn it back on again.
Turn your AC off at the thermostat and then use your instruction manual to locate the power button. Press that to shut the AC system down. Then, go to your circuit breaker and flip the breaker for your AC unit off. Wait 1 minute, and turn the breaker back on before restarting your AC unit.
- It often helps to do this if you accidentally tripped a fuse or you just had a power outage and your AC is acting funny. However, if you have to do this frequently, it’s a sign that something may be going on with your system and you should get an HVAC pro to take a look at it.
Emergency ac repair near me
18. Yes, even if it seems like there’s nothing wrong.
You still need an HVAC technician to come out and service your AC system at least once a year just to keep minor issues from becoming major problems. An HVAC pro will clean your system, check for leaks, and make sure that everything is in working order. This is the best way to make sure that any potential problems get resolved.
19. Anything involving leaks or opening the AC unit up is risky.
While it’s perfectly fine to take a look to try and find a problem, you really shouldn’t mess around with your AC unit too much. You won’t be able to diagnose anything going on inside of the condenser or furnace, and opening them up may void your warranty or make things worse.
- Freon and other refrigerants can be toxic, so don’t mess around with any leaks or fluids in your AC system.
Emergency ac repair near me
20. Messing with the electrical components is especially dangerous.
AC systems are typically high voltage, and it’s dangerous to toy around or touch any live connections. There are a variety of problems that look like a blown fuse, but aren’t. On top of that, you won’t be able to fix any of these problems yourself, so it’s just going to be more efficient and safe to have a professional take a look.
- You can theoretically check the cartridge fuses on an AC system with a multimeter, but it won’t necessarily tell you much and it’s dangerous. A professional will be able to check the fuses in 30 seconds anyway, so there isn’t a particularly good reason to check them yourself.
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