DIY Air Conditioner Repair

It’s the middle of the summer, your air conditioning unit is broken, and you’re a little reluctant to spend hundreds of dollars to have a technician come to your home. Before you race to the phone directory to find an air conditioner repair company, there are some simple repairs you can do yourself to get your air conditioner blowing cold once again.

One of the first things you’ll need for air conditioner repair is the owner’s manual. If you’re just getting a unit installed, be sure to keep the manual and all the written materials that come with the unit so that you can refer to it if anything happens with your air conditioning. If you don’t have the manual anymore, you may be able to find the information you need online if you have a unit from companies like Kenmore or Lennox. You can also call the manufacturer to receive a manual before you start the air conditioner repair process.

Always make sure your system is completely off before you begin to check it. You can shut off the unit on the electrical panel, or go to the outdoor compressor of your home and find the disconnect or “off” button located there. Be sure that all leaves and dirt are raked and swept away from the air conditioner, so that you won’t damage the parts of the unit while you’re inspecting it. After removing the grill that protects the fins, using a soft brush remove all dirt and grime that is on the fins. A brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner works great for this as well.

After you’ve removed the grill, be careful not to disturb any wires inside the unit. You may even need to hose off the fins, if they’re especially dirty. It may be necessary to lube up the motor in your air conditioner, but never put on too much.

At this point you should put the unit back together. Put all the parts back in the same order that you removed them. You can then turn the unit back on to test it, and set the thermostat to the desired temperature. Keep running the unit for a few minutes, and check the pipes that are connected to the condenser unit. One pipe should be cool, and the other should be warm. If each is at the correct temperature, the air will be evenly cooled in your home or office. If both pipes are the same temperature, it may be necessary to seek professional help if they don’t correct within a few minutes of time.

In many parts of the world, the weather changes so drastically from winter to summer that both heating and air conditioning equipment are essential for any residence. Before you shop, though, find the information you need at the Residential Air Conditioning site.