Troubleshooting Tips For Your Air Conditioning Thermostat
During the summer, it can be especially difficult to deal with the fact that your air conditioner might not be working properly. In order to make sure that you are able to live in your home and sleep comfortably, you're going to want to make sure that you are able to fix your air conditioner as soon as possible. One way to do this is to make sure that you have the number of a 24 hour air conditioning service handy, such as taping it to your refrigerator. Another way is to perform some basic troubleshooting yourself. Here are some ways to troubleshoot your air conditioning thermostat.
1. Check to Make Sure That It's Clean
One reason why your thermostat might not be working is because there is a buildup of dirt or dust that is interfering with the electrical wires. This is a major problem that you can easily fix yourself, without calling an HVAC specialist. To check to make sure that your thermostat isn't just dirty, pull off the front of the thermostat and look at the wiring. If you see a lot of buildup, then take a cotton ball or a cotton swab and begin to swab out the dirt using rubbing alcohol. If you use a little bit at a time, you will be able to remove all of the dirt without getting liquid into the wiring.
If you are worried about accidentally getting liquid on exposed wires, another option for cleaning your thermostat is to use compressed air. Compressed air can be purchased online, at a computer store, or at a hardware store.
2. Check for Corroded Wires
The next step is to check for corroded wires within the thermostat. Corroded wires will be evident if the plastic layer that normally covers them has been worn away and you can see the exposed wires. If you see exposed wires, check to see if they are a brown color that would indicate rust. If they are, turn off all power that is going to the thermostat and rewrap the wire.
3. Check the Anticipator
Finally, check the anticipator. This is the small, metal piece that determines when the air conditioner shuts off. If your room is too cold, then nudge the anticipator towards running a shorter cycle. If the room is too hot, then push the anticipator towards running a longer cycle. This will allow you to double check to make sure that the thermostat is definitely the problem.
For more information, talk to a company that specializes in air conditioner maintenance.
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