Common A/C Problems and What to Do About Them

As we enter Connecticut’s hottest time of the year, you’ll be running your AC through its paces – and with all that hard work can come some problems.

Here are some of the issues you may encounter with your air conditioner – and what to do with them if you do.

If your A/C won’t run:

1. Make sure your thermostat is turned to “AC” or “cool,” and set for at least 5 degrees below the current room temperature.
2. Make sure no circuit breakers have been tripped.
3. Make sure power switches are on in both the outdoor and indoor units.

If your A/C is running, but not as well as you think it should, try:

1. Cleaning or replacing your air filters – Make sure enough air is flowing through the unit to prevent it from overworking. Clean or replace air filters at least once a month during cooling season – more if you have pets.
2. Checking for refrigerant leaks – If your refrigerant is low, it’s probably due to a leak. Telltale signs of low refrigerant include warm air coming from your vents and frost on the condenser unit (the outdoor portion of your air conditioner). You’ll need a trained technician to recharge your cooling system.
3. Monitoring efficiency issues – If you notice low output from vents and higher than usual bills, you might need service. Poorly maintained equipment can lose 5-10 percent efficiency or more each cooling season, so make sure you do routine maintenance every year.
4. Checking for open doors and windows – if your A/C is overworking, it could lead to higher bills – and eventually costly repairs).
5. Making sure your A/C unit is the right size for your home – If you’ve put an addition on your home and haven’t upgraded your air conditioner, it may have to work too hard to cool your space. The same unnecessary wear and tear can occur if your unit is oversized, since constant on/off cycling will tax the compressor and fan controls.

Still having problems? Contact Jennings Oil for service – or even a new air conditioning system for your home!