Just because your AC is having issues doesn’t mean you need to hire someone to fix it. Keep reading for 3 key ways to repair your AC on your own.
With the heat of summer settling in, no one wants to deal with a broken air conditioner. Sitting around in a hot house waiting for an AC repairman to show up can be miserable. Luckily, there are some AC repairs you can take on yourself.
While more complicated problems warrant a visit from a professional, you may be able to do some smaller repairs on your own. Below are a few of the ways you can repair your AC if it breaks down this summer.
Frozen Coil
One of the most common AC complaints is a frozen evaporator coil. You’ll know if your coil freezes because your air conditioner will stop blowing cold air. If your air conditioner can’t get enough air flow across the evaporator coil, the temperature can drop and the condensation can start to freeze there.
If you think you have a frozen coil, the first step is to turn off the air conditioner; leaving it on will make the problem worse. Turn the fan on and let that blow for a while to help meld off some of the ice. Meanwhile, change your filter, check the evaporator coil for dirt or debris, and clean it off if needed.
Doesn’t Blow Cold
There are a number of reasons besides a frozen evaporator coil that your AC may not be blowing cold air. A good first step is to make sure that you haven’t accidentally set your thermostat too warm or put it on heating mode instead. Assuming that’s not the problem, it’s time to look for other answers.
If your coil is fine and your thermostat is working as it should, you may have a refrigerant leak. Check the copper tubing that runs from your AC into your house for any damaged areas. Large leaks will leave a wet spot, though for small leaks, you may have to contact an AC repair service.
Fan Isn’t Working
Even if your AC is generating cold air, it may not be blowing it into your house, or it may turn off and on in short bursts. Issues with the fan can have a variety of causes. Start by checking your breaker panel and making sure none of the breakers have flipped.
If your breakers are all where they’re supposed to be, the next suspect is the overflow shut-off switch. Clogged drain lines can cause the switch to flip, or the switch itself may have gone bad. Make sure there aren’t any clogs or overflow in the drain line.
Repair Your AC Yourself
With the right tools and some careful research, you can repair your AC when it has basic problems. Many times the problem comes down to not changing your air filters often enough or flipped breakers. Check for all the usual problems before you call in the pros.
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