Now that we’re halfway through the summer your air conditioner may be showing its age. If it’s not cooling properly, there are some simple things you can check like the filter. Other issues are more serious and may require you to call a pro. Here are some common problems and what to do about them with advice from the experts at Consumer Reports and the Department of Energy. Won’t start at all. If your air conditioner won’t start, the compressor and fan controls could be worn out from the system turning on and off too frequently. If this is the case, you should call a technician to check the electrical connections.Check your thermostat to make sure it’s set properly and that it’s reading the correct temperature. On but not cooling. Your refrigerant could be low or leaking. Call a pro to repair any leaks and recharge the system. Not working like it used to. If you have a window unit, the thermostat sensor may be knocked out of position. Carefully bend the wire holding it in place to properly position it.

Check your unit’s drain to make sure it isn’t clogged. If it is, carefully pass a stiff wire through it.A clogged filter restricts airflow through the unit decreasing its efficiency and reducing the ability to effectively cool the air. If you haven’t already cleaned your filter this summer, do it now. Warm air is leaking in. Check the window seals around your unit to make sure hot air isn’t getting in or cold air seeping out. If so, reseal around your unit. Top air conditioners from our tests If your air conditioner is a goner, it’s time to get a new one. When buying a window air conditioner, make sure you get the right size air conditioner for your room. Here’s a top performer for each size we test.In our survey of 34,000 of our readers who recently installed central air conditioning, American Standard, Bryant, and Trane logged the fewest repairs. Choosing one of the more reliable brands in our survey can boost the odds that you’ll be comfortable for the rest of the summer.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter) View and compare all Air conditioners ratings.How To Repair Room Air Conditioners 1. Check cord, plug, and outlet.    Check for blown fuse or tripped    circuit breaker at main entrance    panel; 2. Motor overload    or safety shutoff. 2. Wait 30 minutes; outside ac unit is not working 3. Check terminals and insulation; well water ac unitif    burns are evident, replace switch. how much ac cost per hourIf    switch looks all right, call a professional. 1. Put on different circuit. 2. Call a professional or the    power company. 1. Thermostat set    too high. 1. Lower thermostat setting 5°. 2. Clean or replace filter. 4. Condenser blocked    from outside.

4. Make sure outside of unit    is not blocked. 5. Call a professional. 6. Call a professional. 7. Call a professional. Fan runs, butunit doesn't coolif faulty,    replace, or call a professional. 4. Call a professional. Unit cools, butfan doesn't run 1. Control switch    set wrong. 2. Clean and tighten fan blades. 3. Fan blades bent. 3. Straighten fan blades. 4. Fan motor faulty. 4. Replace fan motor or    call a professional. Unit turns onand off repeatedly 2. Clean or replace filter. As you can see, there are many parts that can fall into disrepair on an air conditioner. You can learn how to fix many of these, such as the filter and coils, on the next page.Window air conditioners are a fast and affordable way to cool certain rooms in your home. Ideal for renters or people living in mild climates, a window air conditioner uses a minimal amount of energy to maintain optimum comfort levels in your home.

As with any appliance, your air conditioner can’t run properly without regular care and maintenance. Get to know your window air conditioner so you’ll understand what’s happening as it runs and why your annual tune-up is so important. If you detect a problem, begin troubleshooting immediately. Calling in a licensed professional to service your unit when it’s having serious problems will help you save money in the long run by squeezing a few extra years of service out of your appliance. Before you can troubleshoot or repair your window unit air conditioner, you must understand all the parts that make up this system. Window units feature both interior and exterior parts separated by a center panel. A basic understanding of how your window air conditioning unit works will make it easier for you to understand the potential problems you might experience. All air conditioners use refrigerant to cool air, so if you’re familiar with how standard HVAC units operate, then you have a basic understanding of window air conditioners.

Window units are simply smaller. In the compressor, the hot gas is pressurized until it reaches the chilled liquid state. The liquid refrigerant then passes into the evaporator coil. The system’s fan pulls warm air through the filter and into the unit. Here, the air passes over the cold evaporator coil and becomes chilled. The cool air blows back into the room where it mixes with the warmer air in the environment, creating a cooler and more comfortable space. Need to find a pro for your window air conditioner? You can easily fix many common issues with your window unit air conditioner. Troubleshoot the unit for these simple problems before calling in professional help. It’s alarming to see water dripping off your window unit air conditioner or to find a puddle growing beneath it. Fortunately, this issue isn’t as serious as it seems. A water leak simply means that the pan beneath the unit slopes toward the front of the unit and not the back. Readjust your unit so it slopes backward to instantly correct the problem.

When the pan slopes toward the exterior of the home as it should, condensate from the evaporator coil will gather in the pan and drip outside. If you feel like you’re constantly hearing your unit cycle on and off, there’s probably a problem with the thermostat or temperature sensor. You might be able to fix this issue yourself. Before calling a professional, adjust your drapes so they don’t obstruct the thermostat or front panel, and clear leaves away from the condenser. If this doesn’t solve the problem, keep reading to learn about problems best serviced by a professional. If you’re fighting a constant battle to keep your home cool, there’s probably something preventing your air conditioning unit from operating at peak efficiency. The most common diagnosis – and easiest solution – is a dirty filter. You should change your window AC filter regularly. Aim to change it at least once every three months and as often as once a month if you have children, pets or a lot of dust in the home.

Changing the filter is quick, simple and affordable. Simply open the unit, remove the old filter and replace it with a new one. If your unit won’t turn on, there are a few simple problems you can troubleshoot before calling a professional. First, check to make sure the unit is plugged in. This might seem fairly obvious, but it’s easy to overlook, particularly if the unit plugs into an outlet hidden behind a piece of furniture. If the unit is plugged in, check to make sure you haven’t blown a fuse. If resetting the circuit breaker doesn’t work, it’s time to move on to professional solutions. There are many instances where simple at-home solutions won’t work. It’s important to turn to a professional for all serious problems with your window air conditioner unit. Below are some common problems that a professional contractor can help you with. If you’re experiencing other less common problems with your unit, your contractor can help you diagnose and solve those, as well.

A unit that cycles on and off too often typically has a problem with the thermostat or temperature sensor. A professional will check the unit to make sure the thermostat sensor is positioned correctly. This might include delicately adjusting the wire and moving the thermostat sensor so it doesn’t touch the evaporator coil. Your unit might also suffer from a small refrigerant leak. Any standard service visit will catch this problem. Have your contractor tune up the unit and check for anything out-of-place. He might perform a variety of helpful tasks including straightening the fins with a fin comb, charging the refrigerant and repairing leaks. If your unit blows fuses or pops the circuit breaker when it turns on, you’re probably running it on an inadequately sized circuit. The typical unit can run off a 15 amp circuit, but larger window air conditioners need a dedicated circuit. Contact an electrician to run a dedicated 20 amp circuit directly to the window air conditioner.

This will put an end to blown fuses and eliminate the need to strategically reposition electrical devices throughout the home in an attempt to avoid the problem. If changing the filter doesn’t improve your unit’s performance notably, it probably needs a full servicing. Ideally, you will schedule a tune-up with your HVAC contractor once a year before you begin operating your air conditioning unit for the season. During this appointment, your contractor will: Dust and debris will build up naturally inside your air conditioner. A dirty fan or coils will decrease system performance. Low refrigerant levels might also be to blame. A simple tune-up will address all these issues and might even alert you to problems you weren’t aware of. It’s important to work with a reliable contractor and schedule this visit yearly. If your unit fails to turn on while it’s plugged into a working outlet, the problem is likely in the power cord. A professional can test the power cord using a volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) to RX1 scale attached to the prongs.

If the power cord is indeed the problem, your AC contractor can replace this part entirely, instantly restoring your system to proper operation. There comes a time in the life of any appliance where you must decide whether it’s more cost-effective to continue repairing the unit or to invest in a replacement. The average cost to repair a window air conditioner is $213, but this can vary from just $50 for minor repairs to $700 for major problems. The first thing you can do when you’re considering the value of a repair is to compare your contractor’s estimate with the cost of a new unit. Window air conditioner units can vary in price from less than $150 to more than $500 per unit to purchase. Here are some examples of window AC units and what they cost. British thermal units, or BTUs, are the deciding factors that will help you choose the best appliance for your needs. If you’ve been struggling to adequately cool your home, consider your current unit’s BTU before investing in extensive repairs.

Even the best maintained unit can’t combat full sunlight, kitchen heat, or a large room if it lacks the proper BTU. Check this chart to see if your unit is the proper size. If not, it’s time for a replacement. If a room regularly has more than two people in it, you’ll want more than the recommended BTU. Add 600 BTUs per person to maintain adequate home comfort. Your appliance’s age also plays an important role in your decision to either repair or replace the unit. Most AC units have a lifespan of about 10 years. If you’re diligent about your annual maintenance, filter changes and safe storage of the unit when it’s not in use, you might add a few years to the lifespan. If your air conditioner is older than 10 years, you’re probably better served buying a replacement than investing in more repairs. Today’s newer systems offer energy-efficient benefits that can reduce your energy expenses, helping you recoup some of the initial cost of the investment. If you’ve decided that it’s time to invest in a new air conditioner, you have one final decision to make.