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.condensation under ac unitA clogged filter restricts airflow through the unit decreasing its efficiency and reducing the ability to effectively cool the air. hvac unit problemsIf you haven’t already cleaned your filter this summer, do it now.air conditioner outside unit motor 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)How to Repair a Window Unit Air Conditioner A malfunctioning window air conditioner generally tends to be cheaper to fix than a central air system. Often you'll see a sudden reduction of the volume of cool air or air that is no longer as cool as it once was. Fixing your window air conditioner in this case may be as simple as cleaning it, rather than an all-out repair. Unplug the air conditioner. Unscrew and remove the front grill. Depending on the model and age, you may need to pry off the grill with the flat end of a screwdriver. Slide the air conditioner unit out of its place inside the window.

Have someone help you move the unit to a sturdy and durable surface. Look for the air conditioner's mesh filter covering the fins on the evaporator coil. Wash the filter with warm water, detergent and a drop or two of bleach. Shake the filter to remove excess water and allow to dry. Use a hand-held vacuum or attach a brush attachment to your full-sized vacuum cleaner. Run the vacuum over the evaporator coils. Use a heavy-duty brush to remove any dirt that remains on the coils after vacuuming. Take a closer look at the fins of the evaporator coil. Look for any fins that are bent, and use a special tool known as a fin comb to straighten bent fins. Run the fin comb either up or down the fins to straighten them. Turn the air conditioner around so that you can see the unit's condenser coils. Vacuum these coils, and use the heavy brush to remove any dirt that the vacuum doesn't remove. Use the fin comb to straighten bent coils. Clean the fan blades and use the vacuum to remove any remaining dirt or dust particles.

Place the unit back into the window. Reinstall the mesh filter after it has dried completely. Plug the air conditioner cord back into the wall outlet. Unplug the air conditioner unit before opening it up for any kind of service. : Room/Window Air Conditioner Doesn't Cool "Time-Life Fix-it-Yourself Home Heating and Cooling;" "Time-Life Home Repair and Improvement: Repairing Appliances;" Part of the series: Car Air Conditioning Repair. Car Air Conditioner Parts: Condenser Unit. Compressor Problems with a Car Air Conditioner. You can repair the two most common problems of a window unit air conditioner with a few basic hand tools. When your window-mounted air conditioner starts to malfunction, you may not want to immediately replace the entire unit. It is very likely... A faulty A/C unit can be very frustrating. Whether you have a window unit or a central A/C system, you will be...Room air conditioners, or... How to Fix a Window Air Conditioner That Freezes Up;

Window unit air conditioners need regular cleaning and maintenance to... How Do I Replace a Compressor in a Window AC Unit?. Window Air Conditioner Unit Repair Tips; Why is the Air Conditioner Window Unit Not Blowing Cold Air? How to Service Your Air Conditioner. Air conditioners, be they window units or central air systems, require regular maintenance to perform... How to Repair Home Air Conditioners How to Repair an Air Conditioner How to Check Central Air Conditioning That Is Not Cooling How to Troubleshoot a Portable Air ConditionerAir conditioners can grow mold and start to blow smelly, unhealthy air into your home if not cleaned properly. Fortunately, a windowed unit doesn't cost much to keep clean; you just need a bleach and water solution and the right approach. The video above demonstrates how you can easily clean out an odor and keep your air conditioner running at top efficiency. It basically boils down to this:Wash the filter: Your air conditioner's filter collects a lot of dust and debris.