If you have a central air conditioning system and the unit no longer cools your home, then you may need to invest in AC repair or buy a new one. However, this is not always the case and there may be something you can do to fix the old one. Some tasks are pretty simple and can get your AC up and working in a very short period of time. Keep reading to learn about a few of the tasks.

Clean The Fins

Your outdoor air conditioning condenser works in a very specific way to manage heat. This heat comes from the refrigerant that moves from your home to the condenser. Once heat is released, the coolant can be compressed and forced back into the indoor compressor unit, where more heat is pulled out of the air. 

To ensure that heat actually moves away from the condenser, air must flow through the unit. This air flow moves through the condenser fins, over the coolant coils, and up through the fan on the top of the unit. However, the fins can clog with debris and air will no longer be able to move through the fins. The result is coolant that is incapable of controlling the temperature in your house.

A simple way to resolve this issue is to remove the debris from the fins. There are a few different ways to clear away dirt, and the easiest involves using a hose to spray water through the fins. You also have the option of buying a fin cleaning tool that runs along the edge of each metal channel to force out the dirt. Use these devices with or without soap. The best type of detergent is a dedicated fin cleaner which often comes in an aerosol can.

Give It A Break

If you are experiencing an extremely hot summer, then your AC system may be placed under a great deal of stress. Over time, the coolant coils within the indoor compressor can develop a layer of ice. This ice prevents the system from actually cooling the air.

If you see water around the bottom of the unit, or if you see some ice developing on the compressor, then this is likely your issue. Turn off the AC unit and allow it to sit for at least a few hours. Ideally, you want to see that the unit is free from ice before starting it up again. 

Ice buildup can also be caused by a dirty air filter, so make sure to change the filter at the same time that you give the AC unit a break.

If you want to know more about air conditioners, speak with an AC specialist. 

Share