Sandwiched between the coils are a compressor, two fans, a motor, and thermostat controls. Dirt is the biggest enemy of window air conditioners; it can lower the efficiency of the evaporator coil, block the operation of the fan that blows out the cool air, clog filters, and block drain ports. Both of the major components of a room air conditioner are contained in one housing. The condenser coil faces outside, and the evaporator faces inside. The coils, the compressor, and the motor of a room air conditioner are sealed components, so any repairs to them should be left to a professional service person. However, you can make minor repairs, and regular maintenance will keep your unit running well. When extensive repairs are needed, you can also save the cost of a service call by removing the air conditioner from its mounting and taking it to the repair shop. Caution: Before doing any work on a room air conditioner, make sure it's unplugged. Room air conditioners have either one or two capacitors, located behind the control panel and near the fan.

Capacitors store electricity, even when the power to the unit is turned off. Before you do any work on an air conditioner, unplug it and discharge the capacitor or you could receive a severe shock. The unit's owner's manual will show the location of capacitors and tell how to discharge them. Otherwise, let an air conditioning technician do it.Now that you're ready to work on your air conditioner, try to determine exactly what needs to be done. Look for your problem, and solution, on the chart on the next page.New units & installation Whether you’re replacing the unit you have or upgrading your home with a new feature, we can help.Window air conditioners are heavy, so get some help removing it from the window. Repairing the fan in a window air conditioner can be as simple as giving its bearings a generous shot of a penetrating oil-lubricant, or it may require replacing the motor assembly. The fan motors used in window air conditioners are inexpensive and designed with welded cases and therefore cheaper to replace than to repair.

Remove From Window Unplug the unit from the wall outlet and remove the screws holding the side accordion panels and the window unit in place. Air conditioners are heavy, so have a helper hold the unit securely while you remove the mounting screws. This ensures that the unit does not fall out the window. With your helper, slide the unit from the window and set it on the floor where you can work on it comfortably. Remove the screws holding the case in place and slide it off the unit. Be careful when handling the case because the razor-sharp edges of the sheet metal can cut you. Clean and Check Fan Movement Before you begin working on the air conditioner, clean the unit with a shop vacuum. Your household vacuum will also do the job if it has a wand attachment. Make sure that you vacuum out the inside of the fan motor housing by placing the mouth of the wand against the holes in the ends of the motor's case. Dirt, dust bunnies and pet hair can accumulate inside the motor and keep the motor's rotor from turning freely.

Next, check to see if the fan blade turns easily by hand. window ac units best priceCheck to see if the blades have become bent and are rubbing against the fan's shroud. estimated cost new ac unitThese motors produce very little torque when starting and almost any dirt in the bearings or the slightest contact with the shroud around the blade will keep them from running properly. how to service window ac unitCheck the Motor's Bearings If the fan blades were bent and the shroud around the blade has not come loose, chances are the motor has bad bearings that will need to be replaced. To check the bearings, grasp the blade in your hand and try moving the shaft from side to side. Any appreciable movement confirms bad bearings, and the motor will need to be replaced.

If the blades were not bent but do not turn freely, give the bearings a generous shot of penetrating oil. If that frees up the shaft and the blade turns freely, you have probably saved yourself the cost of replacing the motor. Plug the unit in and see if the fan now runs as it should. Unplug the unit again before replacing the case. Replacing Fan Motor Unplug the motor's wiring harness from the control board. Then remove the screws holding the motor in place. Take the old motor with you to the appliance supply store to make sure you get an exact replacement. You can buy universal fan replacement motors based on their fractional horsepower rating and voltage, but you're better off spending a few extra dollars to get an exact replacement motor. Replace the motor, reassemble the case, reinstall the unit in the window and plug the unit in. Does Not Blow Cold Air Common Air Conditioner Parts To Fix "Does Not Blow Cold Air" Customers rate this repair as Really Easy Takes 15 - 30 mins

Takes 15 - 30 minsWindow air conditioners at times just refuse to turn on. In most of the cases, the problem is a minor one and can be taken care of at home without getting a professional help. A little general knowledge about window air conditioners will help you to understand and rectify the associated problems in a better way. So, before you toss your old AC unit or call a repairman, check these five common problem areas and give DIY repairs a try. Check whether the power cord is completely plugged in; sometimes outdoor outlets or older outlets don't secure the plug tightly enough and need to be tended to. Then check the cord to see if there are any visible cuts or breakages on it. If the power cord is cut, safely unplug the unit and take the appropriate measures to fix the broken areas. If your window unit’s button interface is worn and can’t be trusted, you can also consider buying a cheap universal AC remote or replace the worn switch. If you suspect this is the case, it means the unit is not broken, just that you have no way of communicating what you want the machine to do.

A window air conditioner won’t turn on if the fuse of the main power source to the unit has blown. If that is the case, fix it by replacing the fuse wire. Once the fuse has been replaced, check the machine by running it again. If the fuse burns out again, provide a dedicated 120 volt plug for the unit. If the air conditioner draws power from a circuit shared by other appliances, it can’t draw required power supply and will blow the fuse repeatedly. By providing its own high-voltage plug, it can run smoothly with fewer interruptions. NOTE: Because of the power demands of an air conditioning unit, it may trip the safety buttons on certain outlets and the plugs will need to be reset to eventually restore power. Always check this as well. A similar protocol should be followed if you have a circuit breaker. If your AC won't turn on, check to see if the breaker has been tripped. If so, reset the circuit breaker and start the machine again. If it goes off again, you may need to rewire in order to provide a 120 volt circuit that operates only the AC unit.

Check the temperature of the thermostat on your unit. If it the unit is set to "heat," it won't turn on. If it is set properly, try lowering the thermostat slightly to see if it makes a difference. Sometimes the thermostat gets stuck, but you don't know because it appears to be set properly. This is why it is important to make adjustments as you troubleshoot. If adjusting the thermostat doesn't make a difference, you more than likely have an air filter issue. When the filter becomes dry due to dirt accumulation, the thermostat can get stuck and the unit will stall. You can fix the problem by cleaning or replacing the filter. At times, the filter can even get stuck from accumulated debris, and if this happens, the window air machine can’t operate as the evaporator coil freezes. That is why checking the thermostat is such an important troubleshooting step. Check the air conditioner as a whole to see if it is plagued with the debris or plant growth. A window air conditioner needs to circulate air, and if debris like grass or other objects get sucked in, the capacitor can be damaged, and in extreme cases, the air conditioner can also be blown.