Your air conditioning unit is a home appliance you don’t want to see break down when you need it the most. Unfortunately, this is what millions of homeowners in North America must endure when they try to run their units only to find that they are not working.
In most cases, this is a situation that could usually be avoided through proper maintenance practices or knowing how to “listen” to your air conditioner correctly so that you can tell when a malfunction is imminent.
Read below for a brief look at some of the reasons why your air conditioner may not be working, including potential fixes you should consider.
The Air conditioner Is Not plugged In
When you find that your air conditioner is not working, check to ensure that it is plugged into the power source correctly before calling for air conditioner repair services. Funnily, most people usually feel embarrassed for having called for help once they realize that their units were not plugged in or the power source was not switched on.
Let this be the first step you take when diagnosing a seemingly malfunctioning air conditioning unit.
The Thermostat Batteries Are Depleted
With dead or weak thermostat batteries, your air conditioner won’t work properly, or will be unable to correctly regulate the temperature. In most cases, you will find that the thermostat is not displaying anything, and without this function, your air conditioner cannot serve you as expected.
Therefore, if you realize that your air conditioner is not working and the thermostat is not displaying anything, try changing the batteries and restarting your unit before calling expert technicians to inspect it. If this fails, you will have the confidence to check the other components, knowing the problem is not thermostat-related.
Your Air Conditioner Is Not Properly Matched to the Size of Your Home
Most air conditioner owners or buyers, do not know how important the size of the AC unit is. A good air conditioner repair technician will address this issue, advising you on the best unit for your home. However, if you purchase your air conditioner before consulting a technician, you may fall prey to improper sizing, usually picking an air conditioner that is too small for your home.
Thus, under-cooling will become an issue. Be sure to talk to an air conditioner expert, informing them of your cooling needs, so that they can recommend the right size of air conditioner for your home.
The Indoor or Outdoor Disconnect Switch Is Off
If you accidentally turn off the indoor or outdoor disconnect switch, then there is a strong chance that your air conditioner won’t work. You may have a great degree of control over the indoor disconnect switch, but this may not be the case with the outdoor switch.
The outdoor switch may be affected by a variety of factors, therefore you need to check regularly to see if it is on before proceeding with further troubleshooting.
Low Levels of the Refrigerant
The refrigerant is the fluid that resides in the air conditioner’s coils and is responsible for absorbing heat from the air drawn outdoors to cause the cooling effect. With use over time, or through leakage, the refrigerant’s levels may decrease and cause the unit to malfunction.
You may not be in a position to tell if this is the reason why your air conditioning is not working, so it is best to call an air conditioner repair expert for a thorough diagnosis. They have the right equipment to check the refrigerant’s level and they will advise whether you need to get more fluid into the coils to make the unit work properly.
The Air Filters Are Clogged
Did your air conditioner just stop working but you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your filters? If so, then there is a strong chance that your unit is malfunctioning due to clogged filters. The work of the filters is to allow for proper air circulation.
When they become clogged with dirt and debris, they will hinder the proper flow of air through the unit, and if they are not cleared in good time, your unit may suddenly stop working. You can regularly clear the filters on your own, but if you call experts for regular maintenance of your unit, they can perform this task and ensure that your unit is always working correctly.
Your Air Conditioner Is Old
Sometimes your air conditioner will stop working because it has run its course. You may have used it for many years, and have started noticing signs that signify it is on its last legs. Such signs include decreased airflow, the need for constant repair and maintenance, excessive leakages inside the unit, an increase in energy bills due to the unit’s inefficiency, and excessive noise as it operates.
Such are classic signs that a new unit is required. The prolonged use of the current one is not ideal as it may continue to cause inconveniences due to constant breakdowns.
