Air conditioners are essential equipment during our hot and humid Indianapolis summers, so when things go wrong, it can make life extremely uncomfortable. Check out these A/C troubleshooting tips before you call in the professionals.
Troubleshooting
Before you get involved in A/C troubleshooting, make sure that your air filter is not clogged or dirty as this can adversely affect the performance of your air conditioner. Then check the following:
- If the outside condenser isn’t running, it might be that there’s no power, so check for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers, and replace fuses to restore power. However, if the air handler motor or compressor just won’t come on, call your HVAC technician.
- Uneven cooling may be caused by the air distribution system being out of balance, check for blockages and adjust it. This could also be a ductwork issue.
- If you air conditioner’s cooling is inadequate, try lowering the thermostat setting. Alternatively, the evaporator or condensing coil may be dirty and need cleaning. Of course, your unit may just be too small for the building, and if so, you’ll need to replace it with a larger, more energy-efficient model. This isn’t a problem that appears out of nowhere, however; if the system is undersized, that should be evident on the first hot day it experiences.
- When your air conditioner is not cooling your home at all, it may be because the thermostat is set too high or is set at “On” or “Fan Only.” Make sure that it’s set to “Auto” so the fan only runs when your A/C is running. You may find that the condenser unit is blocked with plants or debris. If so, remove the offending material. Faulty compressors and lack of refrigerant need to be attended to by your HVAC service provider.
You can avoid having to perform A/C troubleshooting by signing an annual service agreement with your HVAC provider. You’ll then know that your heating and cooling equipment is working at its optimum efficiency.
Calling in the Professionals
If your A/C troubleshooting hasn’t picked up the problem, it’s time to call in the experts. Qualified, factory-trained technicians from Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing in the Indianapolis area will check your air conditioner and other HVAC equipment with speed and efficiency.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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