How not to get Hosed with an Air Conditioner
...m. That means the refrigerant can’t go anywhere nor can the unit ‘use-up’ refrigerant. If your system is low, it is because you have a leak. Pay for the leak test. Make sure your technician uses either an electronic sniffer or an ultraviolet die. Those are the most effective and accurate tests available for the homeowner. Once you’ve completed the diagnostic and maintenance steps I will describe, you’ll be able to rule out almost all common malfunctions with your system. This makes the refrigerant level test a non-entity. If you perform the maintenance and inspection, and the unit freezes up or will not cool, then the problem is your refrigerant. That is the time to call a technician. 1st: The first step towards maintaining your unit in terms of efficiency and operation is to perform a simple visible inspection. If your indoor unit is blowing cool air into the attic or crawlspace, you need to have that repaired. If your outdoor unit has the fins mashed together or has it’s airflow restricted by creative gardening, that has to be remedied as well. 2nd: Next you locate and disconnect your outdoor and indoor unit. Most places have a building code that requires an outdoor junction box or disconnect for the outdoor unit, and a separate breaker or light switch in the attic, basement or crawlspace to disconnect the indoor unit. If you do not have these amenities, please have a technician service your equipment. Never open a piece of equipment unless all electrical power is turned off. 3rd: Skip this step if your unit has been tripping its breaker or if there is a consistent burning smell coming from the unit. Next, remove the panels covering the electrical wiring of the units. Visually verify that everything is connected, and none of your wires or connections looks black or melted. Check the backside of the panel to see if there are any scorch marks on it. If there are, contact a technician to have them repaired. 4th: Clean it. For the indoor unit, the coil will need to be cleaned on the side closest to the filter with a gentle spray of water (from a squirt bottle). Do not apply soap. Use the water to wash the dirt off the coil. Alternately, the coil can be brushed off with a soft bristle brush, very gently, to avoid damaging the fins. Check to see if the fan blades are dirty. They can be wiped off too. For the outdoor unit, this involves taking a hose and spraying the collection of dirt and debris out for the coil and base of the condenser. Make sure...