It can be very frustrating when your air conditioning unit has either stopped working completely or is still working but is not able to cool your home properly. It is not enjoyable to end up sweating inside your St. Louis home because of the sweltering heat outside. It can be hard to sleep, can cause children and loved ones to get irritated, and no one should have to suffer through that kind of discomfort for long. The best way to fix a problematic AC unit is to call in professionals. However, it is also useful to be aware of some DIY air conditioner repair steps that you can try yourself.
Most DIY AC troubleshooting tips can usually be tried on air conditioning units fairly quickly. If it works, that’s great. You save yourself some time, and you avoid additional expenses.
DIY Air Conditioner Repair Steps Anyone Can Try
DIY Air Conditioner Repair: Taking A Closer Look at the Settings
The first step in DIY air conditioner repair involves checking to see if anything was changed immediately prior to the problem cropping up. For example, a family member might have adjusted the temperature incorrectly the night before or someone could have accidentally pressed a button or two on the AC remote control. So, take a closer look at the current settings of your AC.
In particular, check if the AC is set to ‘Fan.’ This will definitely lead to a warmer interior because this setting instructs the air conditioner to blow air without cooling it. If the AC is set to cool, take a look at what the target temperature setting is. This might have been accidentally set too high, reducing or even reversing any cooling effect from the AC. The great thing about performing this particular DIY air conditioner repair step first is that, if this is indeed the source of the problem, the fix is simple and straightforward.
DIY Air Conditioner Repair: Resetting and Checking Power Supply
Other useful DIY air conditioner repair steps involve double checking for issues with the power supply. If there has been a thunderstorm or power outage recently, this might have caused the circuit breaker to trip, cutting the AC off from the power supply. To address this, simply take a look at your circuit breaker, and make sure that the breaker for your AC is set to the on position. If it is already on, try turning it off, then switching it back to on.
A related DIY air conditioner repair step involves a reset of the AC. To do this DIY air conditioner repair, take a look at the exterior of your air conditioner, and identify where the reset button or switch is located. The specific procedure for using the reset button may vary from model to model. Usually, you will just need to press it, but if that does not work after repeated attempts, double check your operating manual, in case some other form of manipulation is required.
DIY Air Conditioner Repair: Cleaning the Unit
As far as DIY air conditioner repair steps go, cleaning the unit can be very useful, especially when the AC cooling effect appears to have been reduced or weakened. First, check the portion of the AC which is located on the outside of your St. Louis home. Does the condenser unit appear to have been gunked up by dirt, leaves, grass clippings, or other debris? If that is the case, give the unit a good cleaning. Pull out larger pieces of debris. For smaller debris, you can direct water from a hose onto the unit. Then, do the same for the part of the AC located inside your home. Also, make sure to regularly replace or clean your AC filter to ensure proper operation and air flow.
Before doing any of this kind of DIY air conditioner repair, take the necessary steps to ensure basic safety. Confirm that the AC is not plugged into the power outlet. In addition, turn off the circuit breaker for the AC, before you proceed with any disassembly and cleaning of the exterior and interior units.
Learn More About DIY Air Conditioner Repair
For more information on DIY air conditioner repair, or if you have questions about St. Louis heating & air conditioning in general, contact the experts at Galmiche & Sons today at 314-993-1110.
