If your air conditioner is leaking into your room, it may not be installed properly. When the temperatures start to rise, a window air conditioning unit can be a convenient, affordable way to beat the heat. From time to time, though, problems may arise with your unit that affect its performance. Being able to troubleshoot your air conditioner can save you valuable time when you notice there's insufficient cooling. That way, you won't wind up frustrated -- and sweating -- in the middle of the next heat wave. Not Cooling Well If your air conditioner turns on but isn't cooling the room properly, check to see if the front of unit is blocked. Any item, including furniture, blinds or curtains, can restrict its airflow and reduce its cooling performance. If your unit isn't blocked and still isn't cooling effectively, however, check the condensing coils on the side of the unit. Cool air must pass through the coils before exiting the unit, so if they are dirty, it may be difficult for the air to emerge.

Over time, the coils are likely to become clogged with dirt, dust and lint, but you can clean them by removing the unit's cover and using a soft brush or can of compressed air to gently remove the debris. my ac unit doesn't turn offIf your air conditioner still isn't cooling effectively, its air damper may be open. brand new ac unit not workingAn open damper allows the air conditioner to draw in outside air, which can decrease its efficiency. my ac unit will not turn offClose the damper, and the unit's cooling performance should improve. No Air Blowing If you can hear your air conditioner running but it isn't blowing air into the room, there may be a problem with its fan motor. A window unit typically has two motors – the fan motor and the compressor motor.

The compressor motor may be functioning, causing the unit to make running sounds, but the fan motor may be damaged. To check, turn the unit off and remove its cover. Try to rotate the fan blade by hand – if it's stiff and difficult to turn, you should have your fan motor replaced. If you find that the fan blade is easy to turn, the motor's circuit is likely experiencing an electrical problem. The issue may be with the unit's selector switch, capacitor or the motor, so you should contact a licensed electrician to handle the problem. Water Sounds Inside Unit From time to time, you may hear water sloshing around in your window air conditioner unit. The sound may be alarming, but it's actually normal. Your window unit cools the room by drawing in warm, moist air and passing it through the indoor coil to cool it before blowing it back into the room. During the cooling process, moisture is removed from the air and usually collected in a pan at the bottom of the unit where it can be evaporated by the condensing coils.

While the evaporation process is ongoing, it's common to hear water moving around inside the unit. You don't need to open the unit to try to remove the water – the only time to take action is if you notice water dripping out of the unit and into the room. Water Dripping Into the Room While your window air conditioner is designed to evaporate most of the water that it removes from the air inside your room, excess water does build up inside the unit. The unit should be sloped slightly out the window so any excess drips outside the home. If you notice water dripping into your room, check to see if the unit is angled downward toward the room. If so, adjust it so it is sloped outside the window. Your air conditioner may also drip into your room if the filter is dirty, so you may need to clean or replace the filter to correct the problem. If you live in Las Vegas, the last thing you want is to compromise your air conditioner. It’s sweltering outside by the beginning of June. What about the off-months, though, when it’s feasible to keep the unit off in favor of opening the windows to cool off or bundling up to keep warm?

There are some schools of thought that indicate that you should cover your outside AC unit when it's not getting daily use, but it's really dependent on where you live. In places where there's very cold weather with snow and ice, many people do decide to cover their unit to protect it from the elements. Even in those areas, though, there's a danger that covering the unit may make it susceptible to vermin. Mice and small animals take up residence in warm, enclosed spaces where people don't often tread. Not only do you not want rodents in or near your home, you also run the risk of them chewing through wires and damaging the unit. In Las Vegas, there isn't much worry over exceptionally cold weather. Your air conditioning unit will not likely see a lot of snow or ice, so the short answer is that there's not much reason to cover your unit to winterize it in this climate. For residents who moved to the area from cold weather states, this is probably a lovely reprieve from your past routine.

However, the fact that you don't have to cover your air conditioner doesn't mean that you're off the hook for other maintenance. An air conditioner is a significant investment, so you really have it looked at once per year. We recommend setting your appointment for the spring so that you know your unit is working order for the heat of summer. Adding it to the calendar at the same time each year may help you stay on track. You can avoid larger maintenance issues by catching small ones early. You can also budget ahead for a larger expense of replacement when you have up to date knowledge about the health of your current air unit. Related: Las Vegas Heat Has Come... It's Time for Your Seasonal AC Checkup Just because you don't have to cover your outdoor air conditioner does not mean that you shouldn't be wary of problems caused by the outdoors in general. In the fall, make sure that your keep the unit and its surrounding area clear of leaves and other debris that could interfere with the efficiency of your condenser coil or unit.