How To Fix An AC

If you are new to the wide world of indoor cooling, you may wonder, “How do I fix an air conditioner?” Even the best air conditioners, after all, are susceptible to a variety of repair and maintenance issues. So what are the primary issues impacting AC units and how can you prevent or repair them?

• Clean Everything
  • Perform regular cleaning tasks to ensure your AC keeps working throughout multiple summers.
  • If you wonder how long an air conditioner compressor lasts, the answer is years with regular maintenance and cleaning.
  • When cleaning air conditioner parts, go slowly and gently, and use a microfiber cloth and a light brush. Generally speaking, clean your AC from top to bottom once every few months.
• Replace Filters
  • If your AC’s air filters are clogged or dirty, it will result in a drastic reduction in efficiency and leads to more serious issues down the road.
  • Replace the dirty filter as indicated by the instructions. In most cases you should replace the air filter every two to three months, depending on how often you use the air conditioning unit.
  • As a note, not all AC filters should be disposed of and replaced, as some can be cleaned by following the manufacturer’s instructions. And if you’re still thinking to yourself, “How does an air conditioner work overall?”, then we recommend you brush up on an AC’s major components and how they let the unit cool air in our guide.
• Reset the Circuit Breaker
  • Air conditioners, particularly central air units, are energy consumption hogs, so if your AC is not working, it could simply be a matter of a blown fuse or circuit breaker.
  • Head over to your circuit box and give the whole system a quick reset. You’d be surprised how often this fixes the problem, particularly when your unit won’t power on or won’t stay powered on.
• Call in a Pro
  • For serious issues, call in a professional repair technician.
  • Some work solo, and some work for an air conditioning repair company. An agency for air conditioning will have more personnel and will send a technician or team to your residence to fix the broken air conditioning unit.
  • They should be capable of resolving certain air conditioning service failures that the average homeowner can’t handle themselves. 
  • You can find many air conditioning repair services online, but remember to research thoroughly so you can find a reliable AC repair company.
  • Do not attempt any DIY fixes unless you are experienced with air conditioners and their various parts.

There is no one-size-fits-all repair process for air conditioning units, as they each have their own quirks and common maintenance issues. In other words, if you are wondering why your air conditioner is not cooling the house, there are dozens of potential answers. With that in mind, it can be helpful to learn how an air conditioner works. Beyond that, here are some common maintenance tasks worth considering to get your AC working again.

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