How to Repair Central Air Conditioners Central air conditions will need some professional maintenance, but there are many minor problems that you can easily fix yourself. If your central a/c unit isn't working properly, look for the problem you're experiencing on this chart and see if it's a do-it-yourself job. 1. Check for blown fuses or tripped    circuit breakers at main entrance    panel or at separate entrance    panel; 2. Thermostat set    too high. 2. Lower thermostat setting 5°. 3. Call a professional. 1. Distribution    system out of    balance. 3. Unit too small. 3. Replace with larger unit;    2. Clean condenser coil and fins; if necessary, straighten fins. 3. Remove debris blocking condenser; cut down weeds, grass, and vines. 6. Not enough    refrigerant in system. Condenser unitturns on andoff repeatedly 1. Clean condenser coil and fins.2. Remove debris blocking condenser;   

cut down weeds, grass, and vines. A dirty evaporator is a common problem. On the next page you'll learn how to access the evaporator and clean it properly. While the air conditioning unit cools the air, your system’s fan or air handler moves it through the house. Check to make sure that the air conditioner is on and operational, and if you’re not getting air flow, check out our air handler troubleshooting guide. conditioner does not seem to be functioning at all, check for a There are a few potential causes if air is moving through your home, but not cooling down. Dust and debris could build up on the evaporator, making heat exchange less efficient. conditioner maintenance guide for tips on how to clean theCheck to make sure both the inside and outside units are working, and that the thermostat is set at the desired temperature. the problem still isn’t clear, contact a Trane Comfort Specialist. The drain pan below your interior air conditioning unit collects

condensation, and an electric pump usually moves the water to a nearbyIf the pan is overflowing, check for a kink or block in the drainage line, and make sure that the pump is plugged in and working. If your air conditioner seems to be running constantly, your thermostat could be set too high. Reset your thermostat, then adjust the temperature to a comfortable level. If the unit is still running continuously, contact a Trane Comfort Specialist. Contact an air conditioner troubleshooting pro If the issue can’t be determined based on this guide, contact your local Trane Comfort Specialist. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and get your air conditioner running properly, so you and your family stay cool and comfortable.When good condensate drains go bad, property damage may result. Central air conditioners produce something other than cool comfort: water, lots of it. Because dry air holds less heat energy, humidity extraction is a critical part of an efficient air conditioning process.

When the air conditioner blower pulls warm household air through the frigid passages of the evaporator coil, the cooling effect causes water vapor to condense out of the air rapidly. Condensation drips down into a collector pan under the coil and is conveyed through a drain line to a household sewer connection. Things that might go wrong in the condensate drain system include damaging leaks, bad air quality, toxic mold growth, and even a complete air conditioner shutdown. corner ac unitLeakage And Overflows The wet, warm environment of a condensate collector beneath a central air conditioner evaporator coil is a perfect algae breeding ground. how to clean indoor ac unitThis biological growth may migrate into the condensate drain line or the drain trap and form a blockage. wooden cover for air conditioning unit

Condensate overflow due to a blocked drain may be caught by an overflow pan beneath the air handler, but if the overflow pan is missing, or has cracked or developed a hole, or if the overflow pan’s drain line is plumbed to the same primary drain line that is clogged, water leakage will ensue. Property damage from unseen condensate leakage can be extensive and expensive by the time a leak is finally noted by occupants. Drain Trap A central air system routes condensation through a U-shaped trap located in the drain line just outside the air handler. It's similar to the trap under your kitchen or bathroom sink; water in the trap prevents sewer gases originating where the condensate drain pipe terminates from infiltrating the air handler. In some conditions, such as during a long season of non-operation or when a gravity-fed drain line is not installed with the proper incline, the condensate drain trap may dry out and allow sewer gases to pass through the line. Unexplained noxious odors emitted from air conditioner supply vents in the home are the primary symptom of a dry condensate drain trap.

Mold Growth Mold in the condensate drain system feeds off tiny airborne organic particulates sucked in through the return ducts and produces millions of mold spores. A mold colony is perfectly positioned to disperse spores into airflow in the supply ducts, and to infect the breathing air throughout your home. Allergic symptoms and other respiratory distress may result in susceptible individuals. In addition, mold growth originating in the condensate drain collector frequently expands into the evaporator coil, too, obstructing narrow air passages and strangling system airflow. System Shutdown Because of the potential of severe property damage from unseen leaks, many condensate drain systems incorporate an overflow sensor. When a clogged condensate drain causes a backup that reaches overflow stage, the sensor cuts off power to the system. The coil and collector are sealed inside the air handler and generally not accessible for a do-it-yourself project. Until an HVAC technician can arrive to open the air handler, unblock the drain line, and clear the pan, the air conditioner will be unusable.