It's a hot day, and you just arrived home from work. Upon switching on the air conditioner, you realise that it does not blow cold air. In this excerpt, you will learn how to repair your broken AC to ensure you get back that cool breeze.
Dirty air filters
The air filter sieves dust, pollen, insects, bacteria and mould inside the air conditioner. Over time, the air filter becomes clogged, hence reducing the amount of air entering the system. A clogged air filter will have a grey or brown colour. Besides, you will notice dirt on its surface. An instant remedy would be to vacuum the filter. Some modern air conditioners have a self-cleaning feature which cleans the filter and blows the dirt outside. If you use a reusable filter, you can wash it with a hose. Do not use pressurised water as it will damage the filter. Clogged air filters reduce the efficiency of the system since more power is required to get air past the filter. In severe situations, a clogged air filter will damage your AC. It is best that you observe the recommended air filter replacement schedule.
Low refrigerant levels
The refrigerant absorbs heat from your house and releases it outside. As such, low refrigerant levels will lead to warmer indoor temperatures. AC refrigerants are hazardous. If you think that your AC refrigerant is low, call an air conditioning repair service to top it up.
Clogged condenser
The condenser is the outside unit of your AC. It contains a fan, coils and a compressor. The condenser is exposed to dirt and leaves that may affect its functionality. Low-placed condensers may be overrun by climbing plants, weeds, grass and flowers. A clogged condenser cannot release warm air from your home into the environment. As a result, you will experience warmer indoor temperatures. Regularly clean your condenser using running water. Do not use pressurised water as it will bend the condenser fins.
Temperature control.
Setting the wrong temperature control could prevent your air conditioner from blowing cold air inside your home. Switch the temperature control from "on" to "auto" mode. A broken thermostat may also prevent the air conditioner from blowing cold air. The thermostat detects the temperature of the air inside your home and decides whether to turn the AC on or off. A defective thermostat might send the wrong signals to the AC; hence, you may experience warmer indoor temperatures.
The primary reasons why an AC may not be not blowing cold air are a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, a clogged condenser, wrong temperature settings or a broken thermostat.