Carl’s Corner – Auto Repair Help DIAGNOSE – A/C SYSTEM DOESN’T BLOW COLD AIR SYMPTOM SUMMARYThe air conditioning system is not cooling as expected. The air conditioning system may require an extended period of operation to reach the desired output. USUAL CAUSELow refrigerant level is the most likely cause of poor cooling from the air conditioning. If there is no cool air coming from the air conditioning system, an electrical malfunction could be the cause. A defective relay, compressor clutch coil or damaged compressor are all possibilities. DIAGNOSISThe air conditioning system is equipped with safety switches that automatically turn the compressor off when the A/C refrigerant level becomes low. This prevents compressor damage, since the lubricant for the compressor is circulated through the system by the refrigerant. When the pressure switches are activated, power to the compressor is interrupted regardless of the position of the A/C dash switch. Recent regulations have prevented most consumers from doing the repairs.

Special equipment is now used to remove the refrigerant, referred to as “evacuate” prior to opening the refrigerant system. Special leak detectors are used to detect leaks around hoses, fittings, and valves. Once pinpointed, the leak will have to be repaired once the existing refrigerant, if any, is removed. PRECAUTIONS, TIPS, and NOTESThe refrigerant system is under high pressure at all times. During operation, the high pressure side of the refrigerant system can reach pressures of over 275 PSI. Use extreme caution when working around the A/C system. Never disconnect or vent the refrigerant to the atmosphere. Refrigerant can cause extreme frost bite or blindness if it comes in contact with your skin or eyes. Repairs to the A/C system are best left to trained service personnel using the proper test and service equipment. Repairs can be made by the consumer, however, the system should be evacuated using the proper equipment by trained service personnel prior to any component replacement.

After the system is repaired, it will have to be recharged using the same type of equipment.A reader on the other side of the equator writes:how to disguise a window ac unit It’s the middle of summer here, and the weather outside is sweltering. home ac parts orlandoThis wouldn’t usually be a problem, except that I am having major air conditioning problems in the office.central air conditioning unit not cooling problem We occupy a smaller office building where the air conditioning and heating is controlled by three panels located around the office where you can set the temperature. My problem is that, for whatever reason, my office is always a few degrees hotter than everyone else’s, including the boss’.

The standard setting it is on now means that I have a constant sheen of sweat over me while at work and I’m finding it incredibly difficult to concentrate. My argument is that surely it is better for them to be cold, and bring a cardigan or jumper to work, than for me to be sweating. It’s getting to the point where it is affecting my performance. How do I raise this with my boss? My off-hand remarks to the Office Manager and other people have not been listened to, and are usually countered with a “Really? A friend suggested I bring a fan into my office, but I thought that might be too passive-aggressive. I’m the most junior lawyer at my office, and I’ve been here 3 years. Given how contentious temperature control issues can be, I’m kind of amazed that this the first question I’ve received about them in nearly five years of writing this blog.I hate, hate, hate being hot, and I agree that it’s easier to warm up when you’re cold than to cool down when you’re hot.

However, the majority usually rules on these kinds of issues — and especially so when you have a solution that you haven’t tried yet:  Bring in a fan, the most high-powered one you can find. There’s nothing passive-aggressive or otherwise weird about doing that; If the fan isn’t sufficient and you have a window, try a window-mounted air-conditioning unit. That was the only thing that saved me from heatstroke at my last job. But if that doesn’t solve the problem and your colleagues aren’t willing to compromise, you need to do more than “off-handed remarks.” You need to actually have a serious conversation with whoever controls the temperature and explain that it’s affecting your ability to focus.One more thought: Can you ask about switching offices with someone who tends to be colder and would appreciate the sauna-like environs of your office?Hotel room thermometers normally don't let you adjust the temperature above or below a certain point, which can lead to some pretty warm rooms in the summer time or chilly ones in the winter.

If you want more control, here's how to override your hotel thermometer, put it in "VIP" mode, and tweak it where you like it. Gary Leff, writing for View from the Wing, shared the video above, which shows you how it's done. Most hotel wall units (Gary noted that Hilton and Hyatt specifically tend to use this type of thermostat) that you'll have access to will work this way. The window units on the air conditioner/heaters themselves may be a bit more flexible, but give this a try on your next wall thermometer:Hold down the “display” buttonWhile holding that button, press “off”Release off, continue to hold down display, and Press the “up” arrow buttonRelease all buttonsThis trick also disables the motion sensors that many hotels use to only keep the heating and cooling system active at all when a guest is in the room—that means that you won't have to wait for a sweltering room to gradually cool off when you get back from a long day, or wait for an ice cold room to warm up in the winter.