If your AC unit just isn’t keeping your home as cool as it should be, it may be time to check up on your unit outside. Like a car, many little things may be wrong with the unit without you even being aware. In addition to regular maintenance, it is best to diagnose these small issues as soon as possible in order to prevent bigger (and more expensive) issues in the future. Keep your home comfortable and your AC unit healthy with these 5 simple Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Tips.
1. Check Your Thermostat
Before you start examining your unit outside, make sure that your thermostat is working properly inside. Even if your unit is in perfect working order, your home will still experience issues with a malfunctioning thermostat. First, ensure that your thermostat is receiving power. On older thermostats, make sure that the circuit is on and that no fuses have been blown. On modern, battery operated thermostats, ensure that the battery has been changed. Next, remove the cover and examine the wiring to see if any leads or solder points need repair. Finally, make sure that your thermostat is level so that it is properly calibrated.
2. Basic Unit Maintenance
Next, go outside to your AC unit and examine the condition of the outer case. If there is debris in the fan or excessive dirt on the sides of the unit, these issues should be resolved first. Remove the debris and use a hose to clean the sides of the unit. If the evaporator coil is also dirty, use a broom or large brush to clean that as well. Next, like the thermostat, make sure the unit is receiving power. If it is not, examine your circuit breakers and fuses.
3. Check Performance
One of the easiest next steps once you know your unit is clean and receiving power is to simply use the unit. If your issues have been resolved, congratulations, you can stop here! If not, go back outside and listen to your unit. If it is making strange sounds or is louder than normal, check out this blog post to know what these sounds mean.
4. Check the Positioning of Your Unit
Another reason your AC unit may not be functioning properly may be because it is off balance. First, examine the base of the unit. If the foam stabilizer pads have dried or worn, you will want to replace these. Stabilization pads keep the unit from vibrating on concrete and wearing on the base, which can lead to balance issues. If your unit is off balance (not level and stable on all four corners) you will want to try to reposition the unit to stabilize it.
5. Call a Professional
If at this point your unit is still not functioning optimally, the best option is to utilize a professional, certified HVAC technician. Warner Service wants you to know that it’s often better to call a professional if you are unsure about the state of your HVAC system to prevent larger issues from forming. Contact Warner Service today to schedule a maintenance visit to get your home comfortable again!