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Avoid expensive repairs with these quick home air conditioning troubleshooting tips.
When temperatures soar and your air conditioning unit is not cooling in the summer heat, you need a quick solution. While many air conditioning repairs require a professional, homeowners can learn how to troubleshoot and fix some common home A/C problems themselves.
Problem: Air condenser isn't running
If your condenser isn't running, check the power to make sure the unit is plugged in. If so, check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Restore the power and see if it starts.
Another potential cause is a thermostat that isn't set properly. Lower the thermostat by five degrees and see if it kicks on. If not, the problem is likely a faulty motor or compressor. You'll need to get professional help to fix that problem.
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Problem: Inadequate air cooling
If the central air conditioning unit doesn't seem to be cooling your home adequately, start by lowering the thermostat five degrees. If that does not fix the problem, you may have a dirty evaporator. Carefully clean the evaporator and let it run for a few hours. If the problem remains, it could mean you have an improperly sized air conditioner.
Keep in mind that an extremely hot day may impact your unit's effectiveness. If temperatures outside are over 100 degrees, you may not be able to achieve 62 degrees inside your home no matter how much your A/C blows cold air, especially if you have a lot of windows letting in the sun's energy. Always consult with a professional before making the decision to replace your A/C unit, especially if temperatures have been unusually high.
Problem: A/C unit is not cooling
If your A/C isn't cooling your house even though it's running, you should first check the thermostat to make sure it's working properly. Next, take a look at the condenser to see if it's dirty or blocked. If so, clean it and remove the blockage. The condenser can become blocked by tall weeds, grass or other airborne debris.
If the A/C still isn't blowing cold air, this could be the result of a faulty compressor or an inadequate amount of refrigerant in the system. Again, these are problems that a professional needs to address.
Problem: Air unit shuts on and off repeatedly
This is another problem that can happen with a dirty or blocked condenser unit, as well as a dirty evaporator. Most of the time, giving the entire unit a good cleaning and removing any obstructions will eliminate the problem.
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When to call an HVAC professional?
Cleaning your air conditioner is something you can do on your own, provided you have a basic understanding of the parts of the unit. But any time you need to address the coolant, you need the help of a professional HVAC contractor. If you've already done some basic troubleshooting and the problem still exists, you need to hire an HVAC contractor.
Have you troubleshooted A/C problems like this? Were you able to fix them, or did you hire an HVAC contractor? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on Sept. 20, 2012.