Although air conditioning systems are designed to run for many years, they do not run forever. At some point, these systems will stop working either from old age or mechanical issues. However, it’s not always easy to tell what’s going on. If you have found yourself in a situation where your a/c is no longer working, you may be wondering what to do next. To help you get through this with less stress, take a look at the tips below.
1. Check for Problems
To determine if your a/c is broken down for good or if there is just a mechanical issue, you’ll need to do a few quick checks. Start with making sure the a/c is plugged in, and all wires around the unit are connected. You may also want to check your electrical breakers to make sure it wasn’t tripped when the unit was running. Next, look at your thermostat to see if it’s up and running. If this runs on batteries, replace them with new ones just to be sure that this isn’t the problem. If the thermostat is set properly and functioning, but the a/c still isn’t turning on, you’ll want to move to the next step.
2. Clean the Air Filters
Some air conditioning units will stop cooling because airflow is obstructed by a dirty air filter. To determine if this is a problem for you, take out the air filter to see what shape it’s in. In most cases, this can be cleaned or replaced for an affordable price. Replace with the clean filter and then check to see if the unit will start running again. If not, move to the next step.
3. Look for Frozen Coils
One of the last things you’ll want to check for when your a/c stops working is frozen coils on the outside of your unit. However, frozen coils can sometimes be found inside of the unit and can make it more difficult to determine if this is the problem. Either way, you’ll want to set your a/c to “fan-only” and run it for a few hours. If this melts the ice away from the unit and it starts working again, then you’ll know where the problem is. However, you’ll still need to call a technician over to determine what repairs can be done to keep your coils from freezing again in the future.
4. Call a Professional
When your air conditioner first stops working, it’s important to look for the common issues above to determine if the unit is broken for good. If nothing is turning it back on, then it’s time to call a professional for help to repair your A/C and get it working properly. When they arrive, they’ll go through a checklist to identify why the unit stopped working and whether or not a replacement is necessary. If your unit is older and has been going downhill for a while, you’ll likely need to think about getting a replacement as soon as possible.
5. Find the Right Size Unit
If it’s determined by your a/c technician that a replacement is necessary, then work on keeping your home cool by closing the doors and windows. It’s also important to close any blinds or drapes to prevent the sun from penetrating indoors and increasing the temperature. If you have ceiling fans, turn those on to keep the air flowing throughout your space. Stationary fans can also be used to help cool you down while you’re lounging around the house.
Once you have done everything to get your home dark so it can stay cool, work with your a/c tech to determine the size of the air conditioning unit that you’ll need to buy. You should have several options, depending on the size of your home and what your individual needs are. It’s important to have the help of a professional, so you know how to avoid purchasing the wrong unit. If this happens, you may end up with an a/c that is too powerful or not powerful enough for your home.
6. Have Professional Installation Done
The professional installation of a new air conditioning unit is crucial because of the complexities that will be presented. Trying to do this on your own can result in damage to the unit or even damage to your home. In most situations, it will take a small group of Barstow air conditioning technicians at least six hours to get the unit fully installed and operating within your home.
It may also take a couple of weeks to get the air conditioner ordered and delivered, so it’s important to know that you may not have the relief of cool air right away.
How To Keep Your New A/C in Good Shape
Once you have a new a/c, it’s important to take care of it to maximize longevity. Fortunately, this can be easy with the help of an experienced HVAC technician. Simply have them come by yearly for maintenance, and they’ll do a full inspection to make sure it’s in good shape. If there are any issues identified, those can be repaired right away before they become bigger problems down the road.
In addition to yearly maintenance, it’s also important to keep the air filter in your new a/c clean. It’s recommended to do this every three months to maximize airflow and keep dust to a minimum. You may also want to do a visual inspection of your unit once per month to make sure all debris and dirt are kept away from the unit outside. This can help prevent damage and keep it running like new for longer.
Dealing with a Broken Air Conditioning System
A broken air conditioner can be stressful, especially if it breaks down during the summer. However, if you work quickly to find the problem or call a professional for advice and help with a replacement, you will soon have cool air in your home again. While a replacement might be a big investment, it will be worth it in making your home comfortable again.
