If there’s one thing your bank account does not need right now, it’s a broken air conditioner. Much like almost everything else these days, the price of air conditioners has risen rapidly in 2022. This means that a full HVAC replacement will most definitely cost you a pretty penny.
If you want to avoid paying through the nose for a new air conditioner, you need to know how to keep your own HVAC in tip-top condition. Check out our top tips for troubleshooting air conditioners so that you can fix your AC before it’s too late.
1. Change the Air Filter
Our number one AC troubleshooting tip is to check the air filter before you do anything else. Air filters in your AC unit are only meant to last between 30 and 60 days.
After this, they will usually become so clogged with dirt and debris that they will stop working, and your HVAC will begin to malfunction. If you are worried that you will need AC repair, just change the air filters and see if that fixes the problem.
2. Check the Thermostat
The thermostat regulates the temperature of your home and tells your AC when to spring into action. If your AC isn’t working, it is more than likely that the real issue lies with your thermostat.
Check to see if the batteries have died in your thermostat. After this, make sure that the connection between your thermostat and HVAC is still functioning. Oftentimes, a simple thermostat reset, rather than full-scale air conditioner repair, is all you need.
3. Location, Location, Location
This one applies especially to window air conditioner units. If your window AC unit is in a part of the house that gets a lot of direct sunlight, it can cause your AC to malfunction.
All of that sunlight might trick your AC into thinking it is hotter than it actually is, causing it to go into overdrive.
In addition, an AC unit on street level is more likely to absorb excess pollution and dust, causing the ait filters to break down. Move your window AC unit to a shadier, more isolated part of the house.
4. Clean It Up
A dirty AC unit is very often a non-functioning AC unit. If the vents become clogged up and blocked, your AC will stop working in mere minutes.
This is especially true for outdoor AC units, where falling leaves, trash, and dirt can quickly send your unit haywire. Take a few minutes to clean your AC unit. After this, reset the unit and see if it starts working normally.
5. When Troubleshooting Air Conditioners Fails…
If these AC troubleshooting tips don’t work, there is no need to pay for a replacement or full-scale repair just yet. Instead, you can call a local HVAC specialist to run a routine servicing on your unit.
You can find more info on what a quality HVAC servicing can do for you, and why this is often the best approach over opting for a full replacement.
At-Home Hacks for Better Living
Troubleshooting air conditioners is incredibly simple, but so many people do not know how to do it. As we have learned, you can resolve most AC issues yourself at home, without having to pay top-dollar.
For more at-home lifehacks that will save you time, money, and stress, we have got you covered. Make sure to consult our General articles for daily tutorials you can bank on.
