Picture this, it is the heat of summer, and your air conditioner starts malfunctioning. Knowing a few DIY AC repair tips can come in handy when you are trying to keep the heat at bay. In this article, we share a couple of easy-to-do DIY AC repair tips, which you can try if your AC is not cooling your home.
If you try these tips and your air conditioner problems do not resolve, the experts at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis are here to help. Contact us online or by phone to schedule your heating & air conditioning repair in St. Louis.
AC Repair Tips for when Your AC is Not Cooling Your Home
- Change the batteries on your thermostat: Sometimes, the AC becomes faulty because of a malfunctioning thermostat. If your thermostat runs on a battery, the problem often stems from something as simple as a dead battery. Replacing the batteries is an easy way to fix the problem.
- Inspect the breaker: You may be running your air conditioner for long durations during the summer. Plus, if you have plugged in many appliances and devices, the load on your electricity might be high. This can cause your breaker to trip. The DIY AC repair here is to switch off your AC unit first. Then switch off and again switch on the breaker. If a tripped breaker is the problem, this should get your AC working again.
- Replace or clean the AC filter: If debris is clogged up in your AC filter, it can start to function badly, resulting in either poor filtering or slow airflow. Switch off the AC, detach & remove the filter from the AC system and clean or replace it. For a reusable filter, use a wet rag to wipe off the dirt. If there is even more debris remaining, soak the filter in a tub filled with 1 part water and 1 part vinegar for about an hour. Wipe clean with a dry cloth. Be sure to let the filter dry completely before replacing and turning your AC back on.
- Defrost the iced-up AC unit: Sometimes, your AC may not work as it should because its insides are iced-up. This happens when the gas inside the AC unit cools down and condenses, forming ice on the condenser coils. While such frosting is normal in small quantities, severe icing can make your AC inefficient and unsafe. A DIY AC repair tip we can offer here is to defrost this ice by turning the AC off for a few hours. You can either allow the ice to melt on its own or speed up the process by switching on the fan. If your AC seems to be freezing up regularly, then you should schedule an appointment with your local HVAC professionals to determine the root cause of the problem.
When Should You Avoid DIY AC Repairs and Call in the Experts?
If you have tried all of the DIY AC repair tips we mentioned above and your AC still won’t work as it should, it is time to call in the experts. You might make a mistake that may end up costing you more in AC parts replacement later.
Additionally, a lack of technical knowledge makes it unsafe to implement DIY AC repairs. It is significantly safer to have experienced professionals who know what they are doing to work on your AC system. Often, homeowners may not be able to recognize the actual problem in the air conditioner because they don’t have the technical expertise necessary. When you call us at Galmiche & Sons to help you with AC repairs, we bring with us years of knowledge and experience in commercial and residential AC repair services.
We will inspect your air conditioner carefully, identify the source of the problem and provide the repairs or parts replacement, as needed, to get your AC system back in excellent working order.
What if the Issue is with the Furnace (and Not the AC)?
Sometimes, the problem may actually lie with your furnace and not your AC. To check this, you should lower your AC temperature and wait to see if your furnace fan starts to work or not. If it does, then the issue is with your air conditioner. If the furnace fan or blower does not kick on, then the problem may also be with your furnace. This is where it is better to call in experts.
Our team at Galmiche & Sons is highly experienced in air conditioner and furnace repairs. So, in addition to AC repairs, we can help you with furnace maintenance, repairs, and replacements too. Serving St. Louis since 1950, we are a one stop shop for all of your heating and air conditioning needs. Contact us to schedule an appointment or learn more.
