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How To Repair An Air Conditioner

How To Repair An Air Conditioner

Having a home HVAC system can be helpful in these hot summer months. When you have a problem with your HVAC system, it can feel like the end of the world. There are many HVAC problems that you can perform at-home repairs on. This gets your system back up and running without an HVAC professional. This can help out your wallet too, if you know what you're doing.

What to Do When Your Air Conditioner Isn't Cooling Your Home?

One of the most common HVAC problems homeowners run into is that it stops cooling their home. You can fix this with one of many at-home repairs, depending on the exact cause of the problem. Spend some time finding the cause of your malfunctioning HVAC system. You must do this before you can perform these simple at-home repairs.

The most common parts that fail are your HVAC AC contactor and the HVAC start/run capacitor. These HVAC parts are inexpensive. They are also the first HVAC parts that you should do at-home repairs on. This is especially true if your HVAC system is at least five years old. To check the exact part to replace, look at the nameplate on the condensing unit. Write down the make, model, and serial number. this helps you can make sure you get the right parts for your at-home repairs.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Replacing HVAC Parts

So you attempt an at-home repair of the HVAC AC contactor or the HVAC start/run capacitor. You'll want to kill the power to your HVAC system. Do so at the electrical box. Go to your outdoor compressor unit to start your at-home repairs. You'll remove the access panel on the unit. Locate the HVAC start/run capacitor. This looks like a cylinder connected to various wires.

Do yourself a favor and take a picture of the wiring before you start any at-home repairs. An HVAC professional can tell you the importance of knowing where each wire connects. Use your at-home repair pliers to remove the wires from the old HVAC capacitor. Snap them into the new HVAC capacitor. Finish by securing the new HVAC capacitor into its position inside of your outdoor unit.

While performing at-home repairs on your outdoor compressor unit, replace the AC contactor. Locate the contactor first. You can find it inside the access panel. You will need to remove the existing wiring. As always with at-home repairs, snap a picture of the wiring. This helps you remember how it goes back on. Finish up your at-home repairs by connecting the wires to your new AC contactor. Make sure to reconnect and secure it to the HVAC unit.

Contact An HVAC Professional Today

 

If your at-home repairs don't solve the problem, it's time to call in an HVAC professional. There are many at-home repairs that you can try yourself with your HVAC system. Some issues need special equipment and knowledge that our HVAC professionals have. If you are experiencing a problem you can't fix, we are here to help. Call us today to set up your appointment today.