In the Twin Cities’ hot, steamy summers, a malfunctioning air conditioner can feel like a minor emergency. In reality, though, many air conditioner problems have simple fixes. Even if you can’t solve the problem, checking over your system will help you provide your A/C technician with valuable information.
Improve the Airflow
Reduced airflow is at the root of many air conditioner issues. First, make sure your air filter isn’t clogged. If in doubt, put in a clean filter. Next, check your air registers and vents. If they’re dirty, remove the covers, vacuum out the insides of the ducts as far as you can, then wash the covers and replace them.
Finally, use a stiff brush to remove leaves and other debris from the fins of your outdoor condenser unit. If you haven’t cleaned this unit in a year, remove the cover and use a gentle stream of water from a garden hose to rinse the fins down from the inside out.
Inspect Your Equipment
If your condensate pump isn’t working, your system can’t dehumidify properly. Test the pump by pouring a cup of water into your condensate drain. If the pump doesn’t start and the water pools, this could be the cause of your malfunctioning air conditioner.
If your A/C runs, but can’t maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature, check your thermostat.
Consider that what you have may not be a malfunctioning air conditioner, but rather an improperly sized one. If you’ve recently built an addition or otherwise remodeled, your old air conditioner may be too small to meet the increased demand. An air conditioner that’s never dehumidified sufficiently or provided even cooling is most likely over-sized.
If you’d like professional assistance getting your A/C to run effectively again, contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning in the Twin Cities metro area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioner and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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