Why AC Repairs Are Best Left to Pros

An unexpected problem with your air conditioner may be inconvenient, but attempting to fix it on your own could be disastrous. Working with electric components can pose safety risks, and incorrect adjustments may result in permanent damage to your system. Refrigerant can be released into the environment, affecting your community while leaving you with a potentially expensive need for replacement of the material. An HVAC technician is trained to carefully troubleshoot a malfunctioning system before making air conditioning repairs, important for achieving reliable results. However, there are some AC troubleshooting steps that you can take before you call the repair service. In some cases, your air conditioning problem may not require a repair.

AC Troubleshooting Guide

There are some simple issues that can present themselves as serious system malfunctions. Take time to check the following if your air conditioner won’t operate:

• Power source – verify that you don’t have a tripped fuse at your circuit breaker. Check the disconnect switches inside and outside of the structure as well.
• Thermostat settings – verify that your thermostat is set for cooling and that the selected temperature is lower than the current room temperature. You may also want to test the batteries in your thermostat to be sure that they aren’t failing.
• Air filter – evaluate your filter to be sure that there isn’t excessive dirt that could block airflow.

If your equipment is blowing hot air, you will want to verify that the thermostat is set for cooling. It is easy for a child to tamper with buttons, resulting in an unexpected but easily corrected problem. If you notice hot air when the unit isn’t on, you may have duct leaks that need attention. Hot air from an operating unit with correct temperature settings could result from a refrigerant problem, an issue requiring professional attention.

Troubleshooting AC Sounds

Noises from your system can also signal pending problems, making it wise to pay prompt attention to changes in the level or type of noise coming from the equipment. Identify the location so that you can explain the issue to an AC expert. Changes in air movement sounds may be attributed to a dirty air filter. In other cases, you can discuss your concerns with Commonwealth Cooling & Heating. Our team is available for diagnostics, repairs and air conditioner replacement as needed in your Alexandria, VA home.