Can’t Afford a Professional? 8 Ways to Fix a Broken Air Conditioner

You never really know how much you need your air conditioner until it stops working abruptly in the middle of summer. Now you can either choose to repair the air conditioner or bake in the sizzling summer heat. The latter seems more feasible, but if you can’t do both, moving to a house with proper air conditioning also works.

You can either choose to repair the AC on your own or get a professional to do it for you. Fixing an air conditioner isn’t rocket science, but you need some technical skills for a proper DIY air conditioner repair. That said, anyone with two hands and the right tools can fix a broken AC.

In this piece, we’ll highlight some of the most common AC issues, including AC repair Gahanna OH, and how you can fix them.

1. AC Makes Weird Noises

Is your AC making strange rattling and buzzing noises? Then the issue could be as mild as a loose screw or unlubricated parts. So get your screwdriver and tighten those screws, also lubricate the parts and see if the noise stops.

If it doesn’t, then you might have a burnt blower or a bent fan. In both cases, the best move is to call for emergency air conditioning repair.

2. Outrageous Energy Bills

If your energy bills are skyrocketing every month, then your filter could be the problem. Swap out your current filter for a new one and see how that works for you. If nothing changes, then the problem is beyond your technical scope, and it’s one for the pros.

3. Doesn’t Turn On and Off at the Correct Times

It’s quite annoying when your AC isn’t on when it’s supposed to be. It’s also equally as annoying when it doesn’t turn off when it should, which increases your energy bill.

The cause of this issue is as simple as improper placement of the thermostat or a faulty thermostat. You don’t want your AC unit facing the sun directly. You shouldn’t also install the AC near a working oven.

If your AC is in the right place, then just replace the thermostat, and it’ll work like a charm. Consider installing a smart thermostat, which learns household patterns and is more efficient than regular thermostats.

4. Water Puddle Around the Furnace

A puddle that forms near the furnace is mostly because of a clog or disconnect in the AC tubing. The air conditioner typically creates moisture from condensation during normal operation.

This moisture should collect and flow to the sump basin if everything’s all right. So if you find a puddle near the surface, then there’s either a leak or clog in the tubing. All you have to do is inspect the tubing for any clogs, crumps, or disconnections, and also check if the sump pump still works.

You can then use a vacuum to unclog the lines. For disconnects, just connect the tubing back in place. For the sump pump, however, you need a professional to take care of that.

5. AC Fan Isn’t Working

If your AC fan stops working abruptly, then your circuit breaker must have tripped. If it has, just flip the breaker switch back on.

If that’s not the issue, then check for ice on the refrigerant lines and evaporation coil. If there’s ice, wait for it to melt and see whether the fan kicks back on.

If the outside fan isn’t working, then again check the breaker. If that’s not the problem, then push the fan with a thin stick to jump-start the motor and capacitor. Don’t use your hands to do it, because when the fan starts working again, it may hurt your hand.

6. The AC Won’t Turn On

Don’t panic when your air conditioner doesn’t turn on, because there’s a simple fix to this. In most cases, it’s the thermostat that’s the issue. So first, check whether you have set the thermostat to the correct temperature.

If both the thermostat and the AC are set on cool, then make sure the battery still works, and you’ve placed them correctly. Lastly, check whether the circuit breaker tripped and if it’s tripped, just reset it back.

7. The AC Won’t Turn Off

What if the reverse happens, and the AC refuses to turn off instead? It doesn’t seem too much of a bother until you get those ridiculous energy bills when the month ends. Your AC refusing to shut off is a huge cause of alarm.

If your AC is taking much longer to turn off, then check your filters. If your filters are too dirty, your AC’s cooling cycles become too long because the AC isn’t working as efficiently as it should. In fact, it only cools to a fraction of its cooling potential.

Replace your filter because cleaning them at this point will be just a waste of time. They may get dirty again after a short time, and you’ll have to do it all over.

8. AC Not Cooling as It Should

If your room isn’t as cool as you want to, yet your AC is on, then check whether all the vents are open. Even one closed vent could reduce the cooling capability of your AC quite significantly. If that doesn’t work, then you may want to replace the contactor.

No, not your house contractor, it’s contactor and not contractor. The electrical contactor relays the voltage signal from the thermostat to the condenser and compressor. When there’s a problem with the contactor, the AC doesn’t work as well as it should. If the contactor fails completely, then the entire AC breaks down

DIY Air Conditioner Repair and Maintenance Should Not Replace Professionals

DIY air conditioner repair is a piece of cake, but this isn’t always the case. If you get stuck along the way, then it’s totally okay to call for professional help. That way, the pros can not only fix the problem at hand but also give you priceless advice on AC maintenance to prevent future issues.

Remember always to take good care of your AC to lengthen its life span. If you have a manual thermostat, then consider getting a Wi-Fi thermostat; you won’t regret it. Lastly, if your AC has too many issues, then you might want to replace the entire unit once and for all.

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