Your home’s air conditioner might need certain repairs so that it can continue to deliver the cooling power that the inside of your home needs on the hottest summer days. Some repair or maintenance tasks can be completed easily on your own without any additional help needed, but you’ll want to hire professionals for certain tasks that might be difficult or even dangerous for you to do yourself.
DIY Repairs
Air Filter Changes
If you notice that the inside of your home seems dirtier, your air conditioner could be emitting dirty air. An old air filter that’s clogged with dirt and other particles might be the cause of this problem, and simply removing and replacing the old filter on your own can stop the dirty air outputs from your air conditioner so that you’ll be able to breathe cleaner air again.
De-icing
Ice may have formed on the coil, which can interfere with your air conditioner’s performance. By programming your air conditioner to only run its fan without any additional cooling power, you can defrost the coil easily. For faster results, use a hairdryer to melt some of the ice.
Cleaning
A simple cleaning of your air conditioner may resolve some of your unit’s problems and may also help prevent other issues. Condenser coils, thermostats, and other components are often easy to access and clean. Before you do any cleaning, you should make sure that your air conditioner is in the off mode.
Repairs You Should Leave to the Professionals
Diagnostics
Your air conditioner might be malfunctioning without a known cause. If diagnostic testing needs to be done on your unit, you should contact a reliable HVAC company, someone like Priority Heating and Air, for assistance. Professionals who work for these companies have advanced diagnostic tools that can identify all types of air conditioning problems, meaning they can much more accurately determine what could be wrong with your AC.
Refrigerant Changes
If you try to change your air conditioner’s refrigerant on your own, you could put yourself in danger and even land yourself in legal trouble for breaking a law that prohibits unlicensed people from handling refrigerants. Professionals know how to change the fluid safely without putting people or the environment at risk.
Condenser Fan Motor Repairs
If you have an outdoor air conditioner, the motor for the condenser fan that converts hot air into cold air may need repair work or a replacement. Any problems with the condenser fan motor should be handled by professionals who know how to minimize electrocution risks and other hazards while completing the necessary tasks.
The right repairs can help improve the performance of your air conditioner and may also lengthen its lifespan. By knowing which tasks you can do on your own and which ones you should leave to the professionals, your air conditioner can be fixed the right way.