Did you know that about 90% of the households in America have air conditioning systems?
That is because air conditioning is a lifesaver when it gets warm outside, especially during summertime.
Of course, these handy units experience problems from time to time.
Some are serious and require professional maintenance.
However, you can fix most AC problems on your own as a DIY project.
Knowing how to solve these common air conditioning issues will save you time and money down the road.
Do you want to know how to perform your own air conditioning repair?
If so, keep reading this informative article.
Faulty Thermostat
Whenever you suspect that your air conditioner stops working, check the thermostat.
That is the first thing you want to do because it is the top issue with faulty AC’s.
Go ahead and check the system to ensure that the power is on.
Sometimes, our power blinks throughout the house without us knowing or realizing it.
When this happens, the air conditioner may not kick back on its own.
If the power is on, but your air conditioner is still blowing warm air or no air at all, check the display settings on your thermostat unit.
These days, most of us have digital displays.
While that makes life easier in the long run, it can also lead to mistakes.
For instance, one of your other family members may have changed the temperature or even bumped into it on accident.
If neither of those problems fixes the issue, there is still one last DIY solution with thermostats.
The last thing to do is check the placement of the thermostat unit within your home.
You see, if you did not have your thermostat in the correct area, it could not read your house’s temperature correctly.
So, if it is too close to a window, the temperature readings will be off.
Air that is too warm or too cold will tell your thermostat when to start and shut off.
As a rule of thumb, position it away from windows and appliances, like ovens.
You also want your thermostat located in a central part of your home.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
Okay, so maybe the thermostat is not the issue.
The next thing to check is your air filters and evaporator coils.
Both go hand in hand because dirty air filters can lead to frozen coils.
An air filter’s purpose is to catch all of the debris that circulates throughout our homes.
That way, we breathe fresh, clean air all day long without risking our health.
The problem here is that most people forget to change them out.
When this happens, the filters become clogged with things, like dust and even dead bugs.
Plus, for our filters to work right, our evaporator coils need to be in good condition.
So, if your air filters clog with debris, the air won’t filter smoothly.
Without the ability to pump out cool air, the evaporator coils tend to freeze up, preventing your air conditioning from doing its job.
Troubleshooting this problem is simple enough.
First, check your filters.
If they look grey, dusty, or have debris hanging off of them, it is time for a change.
Remember, you should switch your air filters once every month.
That will not only keep your air conditioning unit running in tip-top condition, but it will keep you and your family healthy.
That means that some of that debris is circulating through the air and going right into your lungs.
After you check the filters, you want to see if your AC unit has ice or is dripping water.
That is the first sign of frozen evaporator coils.
Go ahead and check the coils to see if they are dirty or show signs of corrosion.
If you see dust lining their surface, get a can of compressed air.
Never use water or a wet rag when cleaning anything electrical.
If you do, you will risk severe electric shock.
Instead, blow the compressed air down into the coils to knock off anything that may clog them.
However, if your coils look corroded, you might want to leave that problem to professional air conditioning repair services.
They know how to safely switch out the different parts without risk or harm to themselves.
Cracked Drain Pan
If it isn’t the thermostat or the coils, the issue could be a broken drain pan.
Before you check this part of the air conditioner, shut off the power supply.
After that, check for a leaky pipe.
Air conditioners have a system of pipes and drains that will filter out water.
However, those pipes are flimsy and crack relatively easily.
If you see a broken pipe and water overflowing your drain pan, you can use a wet-dry vacuum.
That will keep the water from flowing over.
From there, you must consider replacing the cracked piping and drain pan.
You can do this on your own, but the process is not an easy one.
That is why companies like us here at Scottsdale Air and Heating specialize in air conditioning service.
We will come out to switch those pipes and repair that broken drain pan in no time.
That way, you don’t have to fight with the unit or make multiple trips to your local hardware store.
For More on Air Conditioning Problems
As you can tell, several common air conditioning problems pop up from time to time.
When things like a defective thermostat or frozen coils happen, you must know how to fix them.
Doing so will help keep your home and family from suffering through any intensive heat.
Of course, not all issues are fixable via DIY projects.
That is why Scottsdale Air Heating & Cooling is here to help you with all your air conditioning service and repairs needs.
If you require the assistance of professionals, please feel free to contact us today.
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Looking for the top Heating and Air Conditioning company in Paradise Valley to keep your AC System running & safe? We can help! Contact the Surprisingly Affordable HVAC experts at Scottsdale Air Heating & Cooling to get more information here: 480-359-7141 OR you can request service online here.
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