How to repair the air conditioner

Most problems with window and room air conditioners can be classified by a few symptoms: they don’t cool enough, they don’t turn on at all, or they make noise. Here’s a closer look at how to troubleshoot and repair these problems.

The air conditioning is not cooling

An air conditioner that isn’t cooling may need a refrigerant recharge, but it likely needs cleaning. You can do it yourself, which involves disassembling the unit, or you can call an air conditioning or appliance repair professional. Before attempting the job yourself, consult your owner’s manual and make sure you have the right skills and tools to handle the task. If you can’t find your appliance’s manual, search online using the brand and model number of your air conditioner.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Unplug the unit and carefully remove it from the window or wall. Place the air conditioner somewhere outdoors or in the garage where you can work on it.
2. Remove the grille and filter and unscrew the metal case (being careful not to damage the coil fins).
3. Wash the filter thoroughly or replace it with a new one; most air conditioner filters are readily available online or at home appliance repair stores.
4. Using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush, clean the coil fins.
5. Spray water through the fins from the fan side (protect wiring and motor with plastic).
6. Wipe the unit with a rag, making sure all drains that allow condensed water to drip away from the unit are open. Allow to dry completely.
7. Aside from the unit, lubricate the motor and bearings according to the owner’s manual.
8. Finally, reassemble and reinstall the drive.

The air conditioner does not turn on

Window and room air conditioners draw a lot of electricity, which can lead to poor performance or even complete failure.

If your room’s air conditioner doesn’t turn on:

1. Turn the circuit breaker off completely, then back to “ON”.
2. Make sure the unit is plugged in and its power switch is turned on.
3. Make sure the outlet is working by using a voltage tester or by plugging in a working light (standard voltage models only; do not plug a light into a 220/240 volt outlet).
4. If the light does not come on, the circuit is likely overloaded: check the electrical panel or fuse box and reset the breaker or replace the fuse.
5. If the light works, it is likely that the air conditioner switch is faulty or the thermostat needs adjustment or repair.
6. Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool” and below room temperature.
7. Consult your owner’s manual for thermostat repair. If thermostat repair does not solve the problem, unplug the unit and call an air conditioning repair technician.