“Let comfort be your guide,” says Tom Hutchinson of Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling. Air conditioning is all about comfort, so the simplest way to evaluate your system is to ask: Am I comfortable?Air conditioning and HVAC units don’t last forever — 12 years is an average lifespan — and the moment they fail is usually when you need them the most. The good news is that not every system malfunction spells total doom. Many nuisances are so cheap and easy to fix, you’ll kick yourself for not doing them sooner.Possible cause: Often, the most likely culprit is the easiest to remedy: The thermostat isn’t set correctly, or power isn’t reaching the AC unit.The fix: Make sure that the thermostat is set to AC or “cool,” that the temperature setting is correct, and that the battery is fresh. Second, check the circuit breaker: It could simply be a tripped fuse. Cost: FreePossible cause: ”Airflow is paramount to comfort,” notes Hutchinson. If you aren’t comfortable, the problem usually can be traced to issues with airflow.

The fix: Change the filter. (You should do this as part of regular HVAC maintenance anyway.) Depending on the quality of the filter, the amount of people living in the house, and if there are pets, the filter should be changed every 30-60 days. Outdoors, make sure there’s at least 24 inches of clearance on the sides and 5 feet on top of the unit. Also, check to make sure there are no obstructions to the home’s cold air returns and registers.Cost: $5 to $20, depending on the filter.Possible cause: A spike in operating costs typically signals inefficient operation. After a dirty filter (warning sign #2), the most likely culprit is a choked condensing coil. Located within the outdoor unit, the coil has countless cooling fins — much like a car radiator — that can accumulate dust and debris. The fix: Call out a pro for a spring tune-up.Cost: $75 to $150Possible cause: Rattling, buzzing, or ticking? The good news is that the cause might be little more than a loose screw. The bad news is that it could be caused by a bum blower motor (indoors) or bent fan blade (outdoors).

The fix: If you’re lucky, a simple tightening here and lubricating there will fix the problem. If not, you might require a new fan motor or fan blade.Cost: $75 to $150 for an inspection and tune-up; $150 to $750 for a new blower motor.Possible cause: Improper placement of the thermostat can wreak havoc on one’s comfort. The unit might be in direct sun, too close to a register, or near a hot oven. Also, a remodel might have you spending more time where the thermostat is not.The fix: Relocate the thermostat.Cost: Free if you’re handy (and plan on reusing the same unit); up to $250 for a new programmable unit, plus another $90 for an electrician to install it.Possible cause: During normal operation, the system generates moisture in the form of condensate. That water collects in a pan and flows out a line either into a floor drain or condensate sump basin. An accumulation of water signals a blockage or disconnection of the tube.The fix: Inspect the tube for crimps, clogs, and disconnections.

Also, if the water flows into a sump basin, ensure that the sump pump is in good working order.Cost: Free to clean out blockage; 2 hvac units$20 to replace the tube; how to change fan motor on ac unit$40 to $110 for a new condensate sump pump.ac unit cyclingPossible cause: The refrigerant lines aren’t insulated.The fix: The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor system by two copper refrigerant lines, which should be covered with insulating sleeves. Make sure that they are. Also, the system may need its refrigerant re-charged.Cost: $5 for insulating sleeves; up to $150 for a system re-charge.Possible cause: Burnt-out compressorThe fix: If the compressor fails, the unit won’t run. The only fix for this is a costly replacement of the equipment, which includes various small parts, new Freon, and labor.

Cost: $600 to $1,900. It might be wise to replace your air conditioner if it’s more than eight years old, or if the estimated cost of repair is more than 50% of the cost of a new unit.Where can you buy a replacement air conditioner fan? , as of 2015. These three online retailers provide high-quality replacement parts for air conditioners, including fan motors and blades as well as full assemblies for many models. Where can you purchase Sharp air conditioner parts? Where can you buy Bryant air conditioning parts? Dey Distributing offers many factory-certified parts for a wide selection of appliances, and their website enables secure ordering for fan blades, motors and accessories. The company provides flat-rate shipping for delivery in the United States and Canada, and Dey Distributing makes it simple for customers to order online or over the phone using a toll-free number. RepairClinic also provides a variety of different parts for major appliances, and many of their air conditioning fan parts are manufactured by high-quality brands including Amana, Bryant and Emerson.

RepairClinic boasts a 365-day return policy that allows customers to try parts to ensure they fix underlying issues or return them for a full refund if not satisfied. , many vendors offer parts directly to consumers. deliver useful information for shoppers. Why is my air conditioner not working properly? Common causes for a malfunctioning air conditioner are dirty air filters and coils, a faulty thermostat sensor and even damaged fan blades. Some of these t... How can you make an ice chest air conditioner? To make an ice-chest air conditioner, cut two holes in the lid of a large Styrofoam cooler filled with ice packs so that one hole holds a downward-facing f... How can you build your own air conditioner? To make an air conditioner, required items include a PVC pipe, small fan, cooler and some ice along with a power saw for making cuts into the cooler. How do you diagnose air-conditioner problems? Checking the air conditioner's power supply, fan, thermostat and filters are the usual steps for diagnosing a problem with the unit.