AC Repair: The Advice That Could Save You Thousands

If you live in a particularly hot climate, a good working air conditioner isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. When it goes on the fritz, a feeling of helplessness comes over you that cannot be cured without a good dose of AC repair. Naturally, calling someone out to the house is bound to be expensive, but there may not be any other choice. Then again, there may be. Before you call out the repairman, try out these simple tips to see if the problem isn’t something that you can fix on your own.

If your air conditioner isn’t turning on at all, the problem could be with your electrical system. Check the breaker box and make sure nothing has tripped. If it has, flip it back on and see if that’s all that you have to do. If it immediately trips again, you know that you’re overloading the circuits. Check to see what other appliances are sharing that power circuit and decide which of them you’re going to move to another outlet. Make sure all of your electrical appliances are properly wired to accept the power coming from your house.

One thing that can negatively affect the cool air you’re getting from your air conditioner is a dirty or blocked outdoor compressor. Go outside and make sure it is getting the airflow it needs to work right. Check the fans inside to make sure they are unobstructed and able to run smoothly. If you need to do so, remove any leaves and debris from the area surrounding the compressor. Many homeowners make the mistake of surrounding their compressor with hedges and other obstructions. It covers up the “ugliness” of the box, but it can also hamper your unit from working properly. If you can avoid expensive AC repair by trimming back some hedges, it’s a no-brainer.

Of course, not every instance of AC repair will be able to be solved on your own. If you’ve reached an impasse, don’t hesitate to call out a professional serviceman. You could do serious damage to your system if you attempt to do repairs you aren’t qualified to get into. Not to mention the fact that working with electrical systems without the proper precautions could prove dangerous. There is also the fact that many experts recommend getting your unit serviced and tuned up every year. So if it has been a while since a professional looked at your system, this might be a good opportunity to set that up.