Troubleshooting Your Air Conditioner: Tips Before Calling a Technician

Before you call a professional to fix your air conditioner, it's a good idea to check if the issue is something simple you can handle yourself, like a tripped button, dirty filters, or a clogged drain pipe. In other cases, you might need to call a pro. Let's explore some common air conditioner problems and their solutions.

1. Clogged Filter Preventing Proper Function

If your air conditioner's airflow is weak, the culprit is often a clogged filter. It's common for HVAC technicians to visit and simply rinse out the filter under running water...

2. Unpleasant Odor from the Air Conditioner

The main reason for a bad smell is moisture accumulation on the internal coil, which, combined with dirt and dust, turns into mold. "This issue happens when the AC isn't used for several days, allowing water to build up on the coil."

To address this, if you're using the AC after a break of about a week, it's recommended to run it in dry mode for five minutes (look for the drop symbol on the remote) to dry out the coil before switching to normal cooling mode.

Additionally, when running the AC in cooling mode at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, it operates with more frequent pauses, which can exacerbate the issue. Regular maintenance, like deep cleaning the AC every two years, is recommended to prevent unpleasant odors and thoroughly clean accumulated bacteria.

3. Sometimes There's No Issue - Just a Tripped Button

Occasionally, a technician arrives and finds their only task is to reset a tripped button and leave, while still charging for the service call. Check yourself to avoid unnecessary charges by ensuring a tripped button isn't the cause of the problem.

4. Water Dripping from the Air Conditioner

A common reason for an air conditioner dripping water inside the house is a clogged drain pipe. You can often fix this by blowing into the pipe. In more severe cases, a deep cleaning of the AC might be necessary. It's not recommended to insert a stick into the pipe as it may break inside.

5. Refrigerant Shortage

A loss of about 10% refrigerant per year is normal and natural. Anything beyond that indicates a problem. Typically, reduced cooling efficiency or freezing in the lines suggests a shortage of refrigerant, possibly due to improper installation allowing escape from loosely connected pipes. A technician will use pressure gauges to evaluate the condition. Mere top-ups for natural leakage are considered reasonable and relatively inexpensive repairs.

6. Compressor or Fan Capacitor Issue

The role of the compressor capacitor is to provide the initial boost to power the compressor. It stores energy and releases it during startup. If it fails, the compressor won't start. It's a common issue with a repair cost that's not overly steep. Replacing the capacitor or adding a backup is typically needed.

Another problem might be with the fan capacitor. An AC has two fans, one in the outdoor unit and one indoors. If either capacitor fails, the fans won't work.

7. When Repairing an AC Isn't Worth It

Sometimes, the cost of repair exceeds that of buying a new unit. For small inverter ACs, replacing rather than repairing makes sense, especially for control system-related issues.

For other units, an AC over ten years old isn't worth fixing if the repair exceeds $200. Replacing the compressor only makes sense if it's a larger unit with over 2.5 horsepower.

8. If the Problem Is with the Remote Control

If your remote control is outdated and no longer functional, pause before calling a technician. A universal remote costs about $30, while a service call will be more expensive.

The Million Dollar Question - How Much Will It Cost?

According to 'The Professionals' price list, a technician visit will cost $50–$70, while a refrigerant refill will cost between $140 and $150 depending on the type of refrigerant required. Fixing a refrigerant leak and a subsequent refill ranges from $150–$230. Capacitor replacement will cost $80–$120, and water leak repair will cost $70–$100. Clearing a drain pipe blockage usually costs $70–$100.