Simple Things To Check In Your Air Conditioner Before Assuming The Worst
No one wants to find their air conditioner is blowing hot air or no air at all when the temperature outside rises. However, that does happen, and you need to call a repair company quickly so you can stop your house and everyone in it from overheating. Unless, of course, you can find the problem and it turns out to be simple to fix. Luckily, there are some very simple issues that can make you think your air conditioner is broken but that you can take care of easily. Look at these issues first, and if they turn out to not be the problem, then you can make your call to the air conditioner repair company.
Thermostat Batteries and Leaks
If you have a digital thermostat that runs on a battery, that's your first place to look. If it's been a while since you changed the battery, or if you have never changed it, try putting a fresh one in. Be careful taking the old battery out, and look for signs of leaks and corrosion. Any corrosion on the terminals from the battery leaking — assuming it's dry — can be cleaned off with a cotton swab and either vinegar or lemon juice.
Which Number on the Thermostat Are You Reading?
If the thermostat appears to be working, make sure you're reading the correct number when you set it. This is a more common mistake than you might realize. A new thermostat that you're not used to could create even more confusion. Make sure that the number you're setting is for the cool setting and that the fan runs on Auto. If you let the fan run when the air conditioner itself is off, your home could become more humid and thus feel warmer.
The Circuit Breaker
If the thermostat isn't on, changing the battery does nothing, and the air conditioner won't even send wisps of air through the returns, check the circuit breaker. If it's fine, then you need to call the repair company. If the breaker switch was tripped, try resetting it. Either the air conditioner will come back online, or the breaker will trip again; if it trips again, speak with both an air conditioner repair company about unit size, and with an electrician about the proper wiring for the system.
As the months go by and average daily temperatures get much warmer, more and more people will be calling air conditioner repair companies to make appointments. That's going to make it harder for you to get a timely appointment. So, check these basic issues for the air conditioner now so that you know quickly whether or not you have to make another call for repairs.
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