Tips for Air Conditioning Repair

Most people believe air conditioners must be treated by a professional if something goes wrong. In fact, if you follow a few basic safety precautions and arm yourself with some knowledge about this machine’s construction, you can often address such problems on your own. Homeowners looking to save hundreds in maintenance fees and possibly more in the cost of parts will want to first learn about the basic principles behind home refrigeration.

Although your home air conditioner may look big and imposing, the truth is that what lies under the hood is exceedingly simple. All air conditioners operate on similar principles, cycling air and refrigerant through a series of condenser and evaporator coils to create a limitless reservoir of cold air. Mechanical action such as this requires electricity to run, a motor to compress the air, collateral heating elements to keep the evaporator coils in working condition, and a repository for byproducts such as water. Add in a thermostat to regulate the system and ducts to shunt that air to the right locations and you have all the essential parts.

Some of these can be fixed by an enterprising DIY-er. Some cannot. Step one either way is to diagnose the problem, which may require you pay close attention to temperature fluctuations, unexpected noises and electrical issues. Often the problem is as simple as a blocked airway somewhere in the system, meaning you may be able to solve the problem altogether with a simple cleaning.

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If you suspect your air conditioner’s intake or exhaust is blocked, the first thing you must do is cut power to the unit. Because they require so much power, nearly all A/C units run on dedicated 240V loops, so they require transformers to create the proper voltage. Be sure to switch off the main circuit breaker as well as any backup lines to ensure you aren’t greeted with a dangerous arc once the unit is opened.

Check the grill and move any debris away from every opening on the unit. Lightly brush the fins on the condenser, and perform similar cleaning on the fan itself. You may need to disconnect wires to get at the fan, so be careful when removing the top of any air conditioner unit. If you’ve heard unusual sounds coming from the unit, be sure and check the fan belt and motor as well for slippage and wear can create friction where it shouldn’t occur.

If the air conditioner is operating, but not the way you’d like, the problem may lie in the ducts or thermostat. Most thermostats work on a simple system that cycles air through the unit and takes its temperature continuously. If this part of the apparatus is blocked or poorly placed, it may be reading an inaccurate column of air for your room. If relocating it doesn’t work, check the calibration and power source for the thermostat, taking care to accurately measure the room temp independently. A broken thermostat will need to be replaced.

Your home’s air ducts can foil an otherwise flawless air conditioner as well. Poor or obstructed air flow may result in uneven cooling, which can then further mislead the thermostats in your house into compounding the problem. Often you can hear where the obstruction lies simply by checking the walls, though you may also want to have your ducts cleaned by a bonded professional. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to address the original design and see if some passages can be narrowed for a more even effect.

Finally you want to watch out for excess condensation at any point in the HVAC cycle. Evaporators and compressors release condensation continuously, and if your unit lacks adequate drain capacity, it could lead to an issue in your home. Look for plastic or rubber tubing that may be kinked, clouded or broken and replace as necessary. The primary drain may be full or obstructed as well, so a little dirty work may be required to provide clear passage once again.

Persistent issues that cannot be remedied by such strategies usually require a certified HVAC technician. If you have exhausted all the possibilities and still find yourself unsatisfied with your air conditioner’s operation, look in the Yellow Pages for professional firms that come certified and insured for your equipment.

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