When your air conditioner suddenly stops working during the worst heat wave of the summer, you want an immediate response to your problem, even if it occurs on a night or weekend. To avoid panicking and to bring your issue to a speedy resolution, take these five steps in any air conditioning emergency in Lubbock, Texas.
Examine Your Air Filter
As an air filter accumulates dust and debris, the air conditioner must work harder to cool your home. If the filter becomes too clogged, your AC cannot do its job, so you might experience a lack of cool air coming from the vents. You might notice that the outside unit runs, but the inside unit never comes on at all, or you’ll hear the blower but feel no cold air.
Since the air filter is the easiest fix for a faulty air conditioner, check it first. It helps to keep a supply of fresh filters on hand so you can change it out in an emergency. If the filter looks clogged, replace it with a new one and test your air conditioner. If you start to feel cold air, you’ve solved the problem.
Check the Breakers
If the power goes out or a power surge occurs, your air conditioner’s breaker might trip without your knowledge. Locate your breaker box and make sure all the levers point in the correct direction. The breaker serves as a safety control device that shuts off power to an appliance so it doesn’t suffer damage from electric current.
Only reset your breaker one time. If it continues to trip after you start running the unit again, there’s something wrong with your air conditioner and you need an HVAC professional’s assistance.
Look for Signs of Refrigerant Leaks
Without an HVAC professional, you cannot discern for sure whether you have a refrigerant leak. However, some tell-tale signs point in that direction, such as ice buildup on the exterior pipes or a minimal amount of cool air coming from the vents. If you notice these issues, tell your HVAC technician so he or she can quickly diagnose the problem.
A refrigerant leak requires expert attention. Don’t call a local handyman to simply top off the R-22 refrigerant levels because it will not fix the problem. Instead, your HVAC technician needs to find and address the source of the leak. You don’t want to waste refrigerant or expose your family to decreases in indoor air quality from R-22 exposure.
Call the Professionals
Many HVAC companies offer emergency service to families who experience air conditioning problems outside of normal business hours. Regardless of whether you want to book an emergency visit, call your HVAC company right away to schedule an appointment. Knowing when to expect relief will help you cope with the situation.
Tell the person who answers the phone what you have observed with your air conditioner. Provide him or her with essential details, such as what you might have done to rectify the problem and any history of trouble with your HVAC system over the last few months. If you offer this information up front, your technician will arrive with all the equipment necessary to address the issue.
Prepare Your Home
In addition to scheduling a service call, prepare your home to deal with the decrease in cool air. Turn on ceiling fans in rooms you or your family members occupy and close your window treatments to prevent the sun’s rays from heating up your house.
If you suspect your air conditioner might pose a danger, turn it off completely. Do not attempt to run the AC just in case it happens to return to working order. Instead, keep plenty of cold drinks on hand and run a dehumidifier if you have one. Table, floor, and box fans can also cool down your environment.
An air conditioning emergency can inspire panic among homeowners, but if you stay calm and contact a professional right away, you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience for long. If you’re experiencing trouble with your air conditioner, give us a call at 806-589-1014 to schedule a service visit.
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