5 Tips for Air Condition Repair in Vancouver
Having an air conditioner is a necessity for many. However, the upkeep isn’t always easy. Especially here in Vancouver, WA, when in the summer months it can get warm and far into the 80s or even 90s. Many like to keep cool by running their air conditioners (and we don’t blame them!). That’s why air conditioning repair in Vancouver is so important.
Air conditioners need to be properly maintained to work effectively and safely. Unfortunately, as with any technology, things can go wrong, and repairs will eventually have to be made. It’s important for you, as the consumer, to choose a good, reputable company to come repair your air conditioner. You do not want to choose someone who doesn’t fully do the job so that it just breaks again in the near future. There are, however, some steps you can take yourself before calling in a professional.
We urge you not to take repairing your air conditioner lightly, and we want to ensure you have beneficial information on air conditioner repair. Here are five tips for air conditioning repair in Vancouver, some that you can do yourself and some that you may want to call a professional for.
Change the Filters of Your Air Conditioner Frequently
Regularly changing the filters of your air conditioner is one of the most important repair tips you can follow. By changing out the filters, you are preventing excess dust and dirt from building up. If these were to build up, it would cause stress to the entire air conditioning system; it could even cause a malfunction.
The buildup of dirt and dust can stress the motor inside your air conditioner. This motor is the most important part of the air conditioner, as the system’s entire efficiency depends on it. If there’s a buildup in the system, it will put an extra strain on your air conditioner. Changing the filters frequently will prevent this.
A good strategy is to check your air conditioner filters once a month. This will ensure that buildup doesn’t arise, and if you see it starting to get dirty and dusty, you can swap the filter out. Or if you see that it’s not really that dirty or dusty, you can leave it for a little while longer. Air conditioner filters can pretty much be purchased everywhere. Just be sure you know the size of your air filter unit, as it’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario.
Check the Fuse or the Breaker to Your System
When the lights go out in your home, isn’t the fuse or the breaker one of the first things that you check? The same should go for your air conditioner. If your air conditioner isn’t turning on, it may just need a new fuse, or you may have to flip the breaker on. This is something you can check yourself before calling a professional in. If the fuse is blown, you’ll need to call in a technician, such as those at Entek, for the required electrical work. Their expertise will ensure the safety of you and your home.
If you check the fuse and the breaker, and both are working, it’s likely the cause of the problem is unrelated. Don’t give up yet. There are a couple more things you can check on your own.
Check the Condenser Unit Fan
If your air conditioner filters are new, the fuse isn’t blown, and the breaker is switched on, the next thing you can do is to check the condenser unit fan. Be sure to turn the power to the unit off before you do this. Then check the condenser unit fan to make sure it’s still in great condition.
This is the fan that’s mounted (usually) on the top of your condenser unit outside. You should be able to see if there are any cracks, chips, or other damage to it that could be preventing your air conditioner from working.
Additionally, these fan motors do need to be oiled regularly, especially if you do have an older unit.
Clean the Outside Unit
This may seem tedious, but it is important to clean the unit outside, especially if none of the above have worked to repair it. As this unit is outside, it’s susceptible to the effects of nature—leaves, dirt, grass clippings, wind damage, and much more. All of that can build up on the outside of the unit. This can then reduce the flow of the air and decrease the capacity of the system.
A garden hose can be used to wash out any debris; however, remember to be gentle. Do not use a power washer, as that is too strong. If you aren’t comfortable cleaning this yourself, you can call the technicians at Entek to do so.
Check for Ice Buildup
As we all know, the air that flows through air conditioner systems carries both water and moisture with it. Sometimes, this can result in compacted ice. If water builds up in your unit and you have your air conditioner set to a cool temperature, the water could solidify into ice.
If ice does form in your unit, it can block the airflow in the same way that dust can. Do not remove the ice! Instead, you can let it melt, or better yet, call in a technician who can fix the problem safely.
There are many different reasons why your air conditioner might not be working properly. The above five tips are a good guide for you to start with. However, sometimes the problem can be a bit more severe or you may not be comfortable enough with doing any of the above yourself.
If you are looking for air conditioning repair in Vancouver, at Entek, we’re happy to help and come take a look at your unit. We can solve the problem together and figure out the best course of repair for your specific unit. Additionally, if you tried any of the above and have questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
