There are a number of issues that could potentially afflict your cooling system, and require professional air conditioner repair in Pittsburgh, PA. As we head into summer and temperatures warm up even more, it’s important to make sure that your AC is prepared. Hopefully, you had maintenance done so you can be alerted to any repair needs before they grow into emergency problems, such as a complete system breakdown. Tune-ups are also vital to avoiding problems like a system that won’t cool.
This is understandably frustrating—your air conditioner has one job, right? If it can’t cool, then all you’re doing is paying to use a system that’s not even able to keep you comfortable. What can you do? Read on as we uncover 5 DIY methods you can use when you have a malfunctioning air conditioner.
Check the Breaker
Your HVAC systems’ motors have their own dedicated circuit breaker in your electrical panel. When this circuit breaker gets overwhelmed by a surge of power, it may trip. As a result, the motors will not run, but the thermostat to your air conditioner may still signal the fans to come on. Therefore, you’ll feel air coming through the vents, but your air conditioner won’t be removing hot air from inside your living space or going through the refrigerant process to give you cool air in the home.
Check the breaker! If it’s tripped, reset the breaker, and see if that resolves the problem.
Check the Thermostat
Too often, we get calls for a broken air conditioner when the problem is actually with the thermostat. The thermostat might have been installed in an incorrect location, miscalibrated, or it could even be a “user error” problem… meaning a family member didn’t set it to cooling mode, or the thermostat is set for a much higher temperature than you’d prefer for comfort.
So, check your thermostat. Ensure that its operating as it should and set to the temperature you’d like.
Replace the Air Filter
Many people think that the air filter inside their air conditioner is in place to protect their indoor air quality. While it certainly doesn’t hurt your indoor air quality, it’s actually in place to protect the interior components of the air conditioner itself so it doesn’t get pummeled with dirt, dust, and other debris.
This air filter should be changed out every 1-3 months, depending on the type of filter and the level of contaminants in your home. Anything from pet hair and dust to VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) can clog up this air filter, and what happens then is that airflow is restricted going into the system. When the intake air is restricted, your air conditioner can’t effectively do its job, and therefore you may feel warm, or at least lukewarm, air coming from the vents as a result.
Check for a Clogged Condensate Line
Your air conditioner produces moisture in the form of condensation during the refrigerant/cooling process. That moisture needs somewhere to go so that it doesn’t seep onto your property causing things like water damage or even mold growth. That’s what the condensate line and condensate drain pain are for!
Unfortunately, though, debris such as dust can get stuck in the line, and the moisture can get backed up into the system. When this happens, it will impact how effectively your air conditioner operates. As a result, while your air conditioner runs it might not be able to cool as best it should.
Call a Pro!
Our last “DIY” tip is to call our pros. If none of the other above-mentioned tasks work to get your air conditioner back to cooling, then it’s time to call for professional help. Trying to fix your air conditioner beyond what we mentioned above can end up doing more harm than good, but you don’t need to worry about that–you have our team on your side.
Call the friendly staff at Boehmer Heating & Cooling for exceptional customer service!