Your home is NOT supposed to be a sauna. However, when your AC stops working, it doesn’t take long for the Texas sun to heat your home to an unbearable temperature. Luckily, the AC experts at Bravo Heating and Air Conditioning can resolve all your cooling troubles.
However, if you’re a more ambitious homeowner, you might want to do a little troubleshooting before a technician arrives. After all, some minor air conditioning problems are easy to address on your own if you know where to look. At Bravo Heating and Cooling, we’re here to give you some troubleshooting tools to determine what’s going wrong with your AC.
1. Check The Air Filter
A dirty air filter can lead to many different issues. If you’ve noticed higher electricity bills, uncomfortably warm temperatures or poor indoor air quality in your home, you might need to change your air filter.
Fortunately, most homeowners can replace their air filters without professional AC maintenance. Locate the air return vent inside your home and turn off the AC system. Then, open the vent and remove the dirty filter.
Make sure that the new filter is the same size as the old one. To install the new filter, make sure the arrows are pointed in the same direction as the old filter. You may need to replace the air filters in each wall vent of your home too if those are dirty.
2. Check The Thermostat Settings
You may be surprised to find out that many AC issues are caused by improper operation of the thermostat. When the thermostat is set incorrectly, your home may feel uncomfortably warm or cold.
If your AC appears to be set properly, there could be a bigger issue with the thermostat as a whole. Thermostat failure is a significant issue that requires a professional repair. Call Bravo Heating and Cooling for any thermostat trouble you experience.
3. Check The Evaporator Coil
Is your AC not cooling? The evaporator coil could be frozen. Common signs of a frozen evaporator coil include:
- Ice on the outdoor refrigerant line
- Moisture around the indoor air handler
- Ice on the inside of the air handler
A frozen evaporator coil usually requires professional assistance. As the homeowner, you should shut off the AC system to prevent further damage. A Bravo Heating and Cooling professional can assess the situation and determine the best solution.
4. Check The Circuit Breaker
There are many reasons why your AC may trip the circuit breaker. Sometimes faulty wiring is to blame. It can also be caused by a loose connection between any of the parts within the AC unit. Sometimes this issue is caused by a power surge, which isn’t necessarily caused by your AC.
To check for a tripped circuit breaker, locate the panel. There is usually one outside and one inside your home, so be sure to check both. If any of the switches are stuck in between the “OFF” and “ON” positions, the circuit breaker has been tripped. To fix this, move the switch to “OFF” and then back to “ON.”
5. Clean The Outdoor Unit
Sometimes, your AC troubles stem from the outdoor unit. Since this unit is exposed to the elements, it’s easy for dirt, leaves and other debris to clog up the system. This can lead to higher energy bills and a shorter AC lifespan.
To clean your outdoor unit, unscrew the top grate and use a vacuum to remove any debris. You can also hire an AC professional to perform a more thorough cleaning of the unit when they perform an air conditioner tune-up.
Schedule AC Services With Bravo!
Troubleshooting can’t solve every problem with your AC. Sometimes you need help from a professional!
If you need AC services, Bravo Heating and Air Conditioning is the place to call. We can provide you with a San Antonio AC repair, assist you with an AC tune-up or help you with a professional AC installation. Call us today to learn more!
