With warmer weather approaching, it can be a good idea to inspect your air conditioner in order to make sure that it is functioning as it should be. Performing a few quick and easy maintenance and troubleshooting steps in the spring can help you better prepare your unit for the summer. If you notice that something may be wrong with your unit, your first thought may be to call a professional to perform the necessary repairs. Before you think about spending money on that expensive repair, consider performing these few troubleshooting steps, which will help you narrow down the list of potential problems. More often than not, your central air conditioner needs charged in order to work well for the summer weather.
Beginning the troubleshooting process can be as easy as turning the unit on. With your air conditioner active, set the thermostat reading to sixty five degrees and wait roughly fifteen minutes. After your have done so, try and see how the temperature feels in the room. If you notice that there is no visible change, or if you feel as though the room is now warmer, then there is a problem with your air conditioner that will need to be addressed.
Check your fan and see if it is working properly. In order to do so, leave your air conditioner turned on and go outside of the house to take a look at the exterior of the unit. Find where the fans are located and see if they are turning properly. If they are not moving, then the problem may be centered around the motors being burned out, or some other mechanical malfunction that will need to be addressed.
If you find that the fans are working properly, however, then it is important to proceed to the next step of the troubleshooting process. Head back inside and take a look at the thermostat. Checking thermostat readings and seeing if the room feels cooler than what the temperature reads can help you narrow down the problem to a broken thermostat. More often than not, if the thermostat is broken, you will need to call a professional to repair it, as you may not have the tools you need to fix the thermostat yourself.
If you notice that the thermostat reads correctly, however, then it is important to move to the next step. This involves setting your hands in front of the air vents that are responsible for bringing cool air into the home. If you notice that only warm air is entering through these vents, then you will need to have your unit freon charged. This involves hiring the appropriate professionals, who will be able to get your unit charged and ready to function properly for the summer. These specialists can also help keep you informed of the latest maintenance procedures that can help you extend the life of your central air conditioner.