Generally, when it comes to problems with air conditioning, the best approach is to call in a professional to check your unit. Air conditioners are complex machines that feature a large number of intricately connected components. DIY may not be the right option, because you don’t have the experience or expertise to tackle the issue. That being said, some issues are minor and can be handled by DIY. While you are better off calling in a professional air conditioning maintenance company, before you make the call, here are 5 things you should do:
1. Check the Circuit Box/Thermostat
If your air conditioner is simply not turning on, there is a chance that the circuit breaker has tripped. For this, you need to check the circuit box. If the breaker is down, you simply have to push it up and your unit should power up. However, if there’s no problem with the circuit box, you can try adjusting the thermostat. Reduce the temperature on the AC by 5 degrees or so and check if the air conditioner comes on. In case this doesn’t work, you shouldn’t hesitate to call in air conditioning maintenance professionals.
2. Change/Clean the Air Filter
The air filter of your AC unit collects dust and debris over time. Due to this, the performance of your unit may suffer. It might lose cooling power. Plus, there is a chance that the unit starts turning on and off randomly. In this case, you simply have to check the filter. If it is clogged, simply replace or clean it and you are good to go. This is one of the simplest air conditioning maintenance tips, though most people don’t check the air filter before calling in maintenance professionals.
3. Check the Air Ducts
Like the air filter, the condition of the air ducts also affects the performance of your air conditioning unit. This may lead to a drop off in performance. Some rooms may be cooler than others and some rooms might not receive any airflow at all. If these problems are accompanied by a rattling sound, there is a good chance that the air ducts are loose or disconnected. In some cases, the air ducts might just be too dirty to perform well.
4. Inspect the Indoor Air Handler
Air conditioning units are designed to turn off in case of water pooling up on the condensation pan. If you notice water droplets emerging on the indoor unit, this might be the reason why your air conditioning system is not performing as it should.
5. Examine the Outdoor Unit
Last, but not the least, if your air conditioner is not performing optimally and you have followed the steps mentioned above to no avail, it’s time you examine the outside unit. In case of dirt and debris accumulating on the outside unit, your air conditioner might not deliver the cooling power you want.
So, these are 5 things you should do before calling in a professional air conditioning maintenance service.