A young woman sits in front of a fan to cool off in a heatwave.
Okay, so it’s 95 degrees out there today and (Ugh!) your air conditioning has decided to go on the fritz. As always, we stand ready to cool down the situation for you and your family, but here’s what you can do in terms of some quick troubleshooting before giving our speedy pros a call.
Troubleshooting
What is the nature of the problem. Does your unit seem to be functioning properly but you’re not getting cool air or enough cool air? Or is it not working at all?
NPI?
If your unit is not working at all, check to see if it is plugged in. You might be surprised how many NPI problems (Not Plugged In) we encounter.
Electrical Problem?
Check your circuit box and make sure you haven’t blown a fuse. If your unit shares a circuit with other major appliances (fridge, washer, dryer) … and doubly so for older homes … the strain of your A/C kicking in could have caused a blown fuse.
Settings?
Especially if you are using your A/C for the first time this year, check the thermostat to be sure your cooling controls are set properly. It’s set for cooling and not heating, right?
Mechanical Issues?
If you have ice forming, check the fan blower belt. A broken or loose belt is easily replaced, just allow the ice to melt before restarting your unit. Also check the coils and filter. It’s always best to start a new season (winter or summer) with a clean filter. Hose down your condenser coils every spring before using your A/C. Be sure the unit is turned off when you do so. A coil free of dust, dirt, dead leaves and other vegetation will improve the performance of your system.
After following the steps above, it may be time for a service call. We pride ourselves on prompt service (just one of the reasons we’ve been in business for 59 years), but there are some things you can do to stay comfortable in the meantime.
Close it Up!
Especially during the heat of the day, close your windows and window coverings. Open them up again in the evening after sunset.
Go Off the Grid
Minimize the use of heat-generating appliances and household gizmos, especially your oven, stovetop and lights. Be sure your ceiling fans are on their summer setting so they blow air downward. Oscillating and box fans are also a great tool. At night, position fans so that they are blowing out of windows. This will suck cool night air in from other open windows throughout the house.
Go Underground
Remember, the coolest place in most homes is the basement. Curl up and binge-watch your favorite show … and we’ll see you soon!