A non-functioning air conditioning system can be a major inconvenience. Frustration is a common response, but some homeowners may also experience panic and fear. This may occur when property owners think that they might need to make costly AC repairs that might not fit their budget. Panic may follow if they imagine how their families will get impacted by the loss of something that is important during spring and summer.
Sometimes the fears and other feelings that surface when air conditioning systems malfunction are not warranted. It can come down to easy fixes that most homeowners can complete themselves with simple troubleshooting. However, many cooling issues will require professional intervention. the following points represent a few things that could negatively impact your air conditioning system's ability to cool your home.
Electrical Issues
Some individuals forget that their cooling system requires energy to operate. For many households, this means that problems with the electrical system and HVAC systems working together can cause heating and cooling issues. Check your breaker panel to ensure that it has not tripped off and caused the AC not to work. You also need to ensure that any components of the cooling system that need to be plugged in have a secure connection to the electrical outlets. These two things represent as far as you should go on your own for a suspected electrical issue.
Air Filter
This is also something that most people can take care of on their own. Visually inspect your air filter, and if it is dirty, change out the filter and determine if your system starts performing again. A dirty filter may also mean that you have dust in your system that needs to get cleaned away to ensure maximum energy efficiency. An air conditioning repair service usually includes cleaning dust from AC systems and filter replacements.
Faulty or Damaged Ductwork
You can attempt to inspect your ductwork. You might be losing energy through your ductwork if it is damaged or insufficient. Repairs to ductwork usually are best handled by HVAC technicians.
An HVAC contractor is a good resource to use to determine the exact reason that your system is not cooling. You should consult with them if your basic troubleshooting does not work. Even if the basic troubleshooting solutions work, you might find out that the fixes appear short-lived. This could signal that you have a mechanical issue that will require a professional air conditioning repair service. Homeowners need to take frequent breakdowns seriously because they can result in total system failure. They may also cause significant damage to AC systems that may require more rigorous repairs and cost more.
My name is Maura, and I am certified in HVAC installation and repair. I have many clients who call me in a panic because they have turned on their air conditioners and nothing has happened. Your air conditioning technician will get to you as soon as possible, but there are some steps you can take while you are waiting. You might just find that you are able to fix the problem on your own, although you will still want to have a professional assess the situation. In this blog I will take you through some common reasons your air conditioner might not be working and show you some easy temporary solutions.