AC Not Cooling? Things You Can Check Yourself
As a homeowner, few things are more frustrating than one of your major home components not working properly, like an HVAC malfunction. HVAC malfunctions could involve the entire system quitting altogether, but something is still clearly wrong if the system is simply not functioning as strongly as it should. Neither situation is ideal and needs repair as soon as possible.
If you notice your air conditioning is not cooling your home, the problem could be simple or complicated. Many times, you can diagnose and fix the problem yourself. Here are some things you can try before you call the professionals.
Clean Up Around Your Outdoor Condenser
When your air conditioner is not working like it should, take a look at your outdoor unit. The condenser is the brains of your HVAC system, so proper maintenance is crucial if you want the system to function properly.
One of the biggest issues for outdoor condenser units is blockage by debris. Grass, leaves, dirt, and other debris can quickly build up outside the grates of the unit. The unit needs full air flow to work, and the buildup of the debris prevents the air from getting inside. Grass can also grow around the outdoor condenser unit, especially during the spring and summer months.
To prevent limited air flow, simply take time on a regular basis to clean up around the condenser. Trim the weeds and grass growing around the unit each time you mow your lawn. Rake away grass, leaves, and sticks that may have fallen from nearby trees. Also, look down into the casing of the condenser to make sure nothing is stuck inside and preventing the fan from turning.
Check Your Electrical Breaker Box
Another item you can check is whether or not your air conditioner has a full connection to an electrical source. Although you may think you’d easily notice if the power is not properly running to the HVAC, the truth is that several breakers power the whole system, and only one breaker has to trip for the air conditioning portion of the system not to cool properly.
Go to your home's electrical breaker box. You should have more than one breaker labeled HVAC, air conditioner, or the like. Turn them all to the off position, then back on. Give the system a few moments and see if it makes a difference.
Incidentally, many HVAC systems require all components to have the power on to operate. Even if you are not using the heating component, the breaker still needs to be on. If the heating component's breaker is off, turn it on and your air should work again.
Check Your Thermostat
If nothing has worked yet, the next place to check is your thermostat. If your thermostat is digital, look for a blank readout, any readouts blinking, or anything else seemingly out of the ordinary. This could just be an issue as simple as changing the battery in your thermostat. If a new battery does not do the trick, your thermostat may have gone out. This means you need a new thermostat installed.
Depending on your comfort level in doing home maintenance, you can install a new thermostat as a DIY project. However, it is best to have a licensed technician do the job for you since many electrical tie-ins are necessary.
If none of these options help your air conditioner issue, you need to call in the professionals for help. The problem could be due to a variety of reasons, so a proper diagnosis is essential. If you need assistance with your HVAC system, please contact us at Parks Davis Air Conditioning & Heating.
