Could you imagine surviving the summer heat without your air conditioner? Of course Not! Therefore, you should always pay attention to the maintenance of the air conditioning system. Often, one has to wait several days for a technician to show up to fix the problem. The technician may charge up to several hundred dollars for the repair. So it seems only fair to try and fix minor issues all by oneself if one has moderate technical knowledge.
Tools Required: Of course, you must invest in buying the fixing-tools, if you don’t have the required tools already. Here is a list of tools you would need to fix the home air conditioning system:
- Nut driver
- Socket/ratchet set
- Voltage tester
- Adjustable wrench
- Drill/driver – cordless
- Insulated screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
Learn the Anatomy of an Air Conditioner: Before you start poking around, it goes without saying that you must switch off the electrical device. Since you are not a professional electrician, you must take extra precautions before exploring the system. A central air conditioner system has two primary components: a condensing unit outside your house and the evaporator coil (also known as an A-coil). The condensing unit has three parts: an AC contactor, a start/run capacitor(s), and a fan motor.
Clean the Condenser Coils: Cleaning the condenser is the first step of fixing your AC. You can use a garden nozzle to remove the crud buildup under the lid. You may gently spray at the coil to eliminate any dust gathered in the condenser coil itself and the debris down the coil fins.
Test the Fuses: At times, it is just a broken fuse that causes all the uproar. So, once you are done cleaning the condenser coils, it is now time to check on the fuses. A broken fuse is often a sign of a more significant problem. So, don’t just change the fuse without exploring why the fuse got blown in the first place. Therefore, it is wise to inspect the parts and install a new fuse before restarting the unit. If you find the fuse gets blown up again, you have a severe problem in your hands.
Inspect the Access Panel: With the power still off, remove the front of the access panel. The first thing you must do is check for rodent’s nests as many a time physical environment is responsible for most of the damage. Next, look for any chewed-up wires or electrical connectors visible on the first glace.
- If you find chewed circuits, safely discharge the capacitor first and then reinstall the cords. Now reinstalling the cables is not an easy job to do. You might not be able to connect the wires correctly, which would damage the internal system.
- If you find it difficult to identify the problem, it is better to call up a local experienced electrical handyman who knows what he is doing. Finding a professional handyperson is now easier than ever. For example, if you’re looking for an experienced and reliable air conditioner repair service in Phoenix, Arizona, it’s easy to find a local technician by searching on Google.
DIY projects take a lot of time and patience. But most importantly, it takes knowledge. So be confident about what you know and what you don’t know. There will be times when you must rely on a pro to solve a problem, and that is okay because knowing one’s limitation saves one unnecessary cost.