3 Simple Repairs To Get Your AC Working Again

An air conditioner that stops working during a summer heatwave can be a major problem for any homeowner. Before you start to panic, there are a few simple fixes you can try to get your AC running properly once again.

Try one of these easy repairs the next time your cooling services are compromised.

1. Replace a Blown Fuse

Modern AC systems have a disconnect block that houses two cartridge fuses. These fuses are responsible for breaking an electrical circuit in the event of a surge to protect the wiring inside your AC unit.

When a cartridge fuse is blown, an electrical charge cannot circulate through your cooling system properly. This results in your AC failing to produce cold air. You can check the status of your cartridge fuses using a multimeter. Replace the damaged or blown fuse to restore power to your AC system once again.

2. Replace the AC Contactor

An AC contactor is a small mechanical relay that plays an important role in powering your cooling system's compressor and fan. When the AC contactor goes bad, your AC cannot produce cool air. You can easily replace an AC contactor by disconnecting the wires attached to the old contactor and attaching the wires in the same configuration to the new contactor.

The cost of a new AC contactor is minimal, making the installation of a new one an affordable repair.

3. Clean the Condenser Coils

A condenser coil found in your cooling system's outdoor condenser unit is a major component in the cooling process. Since the compressor coils are housed outdoors, they can become dirty over time. Dirty condenser coils have a reduced ability to transfer heat. This means that the dirtier your condenser coils are, the less cool air your AC system can produce.

The best way to repair cooling issues caused by dirty condenser coils is to give the outdoor condenser unit a good cleaning. Use a garden hose with a pressurized nozzle to flush debris from the condenser unit. Lower the water pressure before aiming directly at the condenser coils to remove any accumulated dirt and debris.

Being able to repair simple issues causing cooling problems allows you to maintain a comfortable atmosphere inside your home. If the simple repairs outlined above don't restore the function of your AC system, contact a local HVAC technician to perform diagnostics and air conditioning repairs so you can keep your home cool.

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