If the temperature is rising inside your home due to a central air conditioner problem, finding a solution suddenly tops your to-do list. You may be wondering if the problem is something simple that you can fix, or if you need to call your A/C technician. Following are a few troubleshooting tips and clues to help out.
Operating Issues
First things first. Check the thermostat setting one more time to make sure it is in cooling mode. If fiddling with the thermostat doesn’t help and there’s no power to the A/C, check the fuse box or circuit panel for a blown fuse or tripped breaker.
If you haven’t checked your air filter lately, take a look at it. A dirty filter obstructs airflow, which can cause A/C components to overheat and shut down the system.
Keeping Up With Heat Gain
Sometimes problems with inadequate cooling is too much heat gain in your home, and your air conditioner simply can’t keep up. So, if your A/C is running but not maintaining your thermostat setting, you can tighten up your home’s envelope to reduce the cooling load.
- Close curtains on sun-struck rooms.
- Seal air leaks around windows and exterior doors with caulk and weatherstripping.
- Make sure you have at least one foot of insulation in your attic.
- Wipe off dust and debris from your supply registers and return grilles.
- Check your air ducts for leaks or disconnected joints. Seal with metal tape.
Dirty Components
Your A/C consists of sophisticated and sensitive components that need regular maintenance and cleaning. Turn off the power to your A/C. Wash the outdoor cabinet with a water hose. Additionally, you may use a foaming coil cleaner for deep cleaning. Clear away any debris and other obstructions to free airflow to the cabinet.
Lastly, call your HVAC technician to schedule A/C maintenance if you haven’t done so this year. You may just prevent a small problem from becoming a major expense.
If you have questions about air conditioner troubleshooting, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company today! We’ve helped Yuma homeowners resolve cooling problems for more than 60 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
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