2 Things That Could Be Preventing Your Air Conditioning Unit from Working Properly

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For some people, air conditioning is simply a luxury, for others, it's a necessity—without it, they would suffer from symptoms of health issues and/or their homes may suffer damage due to the increase in moisture levels within. If you have an air conditioning unit that's not working properly, it's time to figure out why and make a plan to fix the issue. Here, you'll find a few things to check prior to calling out for professional help.

Check the Power Supply

If the unit isn't working at all, or it seems to be operating at low-power, the first thing to do is to check the power supply. Inspect the cord for damage, as well as the plug itself. If you see any breaks in the cord, or corrosion on the plug, it will need to be replaced. Typically, you can use the make and model number on the unit to track down a replacement plug to put on. If not, you'll need to talk with your air conditioning repair professional to find a replacement cord.

If the cord is in good shape, the problem may be with the outlet itself—or you may have overloaded a breaker. Test the outlet by plugging a lamp into it—if the lamp turns on, it's getting power.

If your air conditioning unit is working, but seemingly not getting enough power to fully function, try paying attention to the other electrical components in the room—if you notice the lights dim when the air conditioning unit's condenser kicks on, there's too much power being drawn from a single breaker. You'll either need to find another outlet to use, or you'll have to unplug some of the stuff that's on that same breaker.

Clean the Unit

How long has it been since you've cleaned the air conditioning unit? If it's been a while, chances are, the filter is caked with dirt and even the back of the unit is coated with cobwebs and other debris. When the air conditioning unit can't pull in fresh air, it will not work properly.

Remove the filter and soak it in a tub of hot, soapy water. Dawn dish soap is one of the best products to use to clean this type of filter. Once you've soaked it, gently scrub it with a soft-bristle scrub brush. Rinse it well, let it dry and put it back in place.

Clean the outer back of the unit with a broom or vacuum. Use the vacuum's brush attachment to assist with breaking the debris up and sucking it away. Then, give the unit a test run—if it works—great! If not, contact a local air conditioning repair company today.


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