Depending on where you live, it can be difficult to imagine life without air conditioning in your home. Check out the situations in which you may be able to use your home insurance to pay for a replacement if your AC unit goes belly-up. With close to 90 percent of U.S. households equipped with air conditioning units, having easy access to a cool breeze in summer is a way of life for most people. If your built-in AC unit (as opposed to a window unit) is broken or destroyed, there are times when having homeowners insurance can help, particularly when Mother Nature (think snow or ice) is to blame. However, if the problem stems from a maintenance issue or normal wear-and-tear, your policy typically won't cover repair or replacement costs. It's important to note that since window-based air conditioning units are generally considered personal property — while built-in AC systems are considered to be part of the home's structure — certain homeowners insurance coverages (and the perils they cover) are different.

It's always a wise idea to read through your specific policy or speak to a licensed agent to see what's covered under your individual plan. Is your AC system covered? Get a fast, free quote today. Winter tends to take a toll on everything, including your air conditioner. ac unit fan keeps runningBecause your homeowners insurance covers frozen and burst pipes, your policy could pay to get your air conditioning unit back in tip-top shape for the summer months as soon as possible.car ac unit not working It's a humid, late-summer day, and a huge storm is rolling through. heat pump hvac priceYou're not worried though because you're inside your refreshingly cool house watching TV. That is, until you hear a thunderous crash, and investigate to find that a tree has fallen on your AC unit.

Don't worry though — you might be a little warm for a couple of days, but because your policy covers falling objects, your homeowners insurance could pay to repair or replace your air conditioner. Wear-and-tear is just part of being a homeowner, so your policy doesn't cover a worn-out air conditioner. If a fan breaks or the compressor blows out, it's up to you to get it fixed. Unless you can find your air conditioner a health insurance plan, the best way to avoid paying for wear-and-tear is by keeping it well-maintained over time. You're watching your kid playing in the backyard from the kitchen window when suddenly — no more cool, indoor airflow. You walk outside and there it is: a pen stuck in your AC unit. Unfortunately, your policy likely won't cover damage you or anyone on your policy does to your own property, so you'll have to pay to have your air conditioner repaired. Get protection for your home and belongings by getting a free home insurance quote from Esurance, or speak with one of our licensed agents — available 24/7.

Plus, by opting for our eco upgrade coverage, if your air conditioner (or another appliance in your home) is damaged due to a covered incident, we'll help you upgrade to an ENERGY STAR qualified appliance. Water damage and mold Learn which type of damage is covered under homeowners insurance and how to tackle both kinds of water-related disaster. These easy everyday tasks could help you save money and time around the house. Get your free quote online More about homeowners insurance Looking for another insurance product?It can be very frustrating to have your car’s AC go out on you, especially on a hot day when you need it most. Luckily there are just a few simple steps that can assist you with diagnosing your vehicle with a non-working AC. Not only will they help you diagnose the problem, but they will also help you have a better grasp on the workings of your car’s AC system, resulting in a repair that is not only speedy but accurate. Before starting any of the following steps towards diagnosis, you will want to make sure that your vehicle is on, with the engine running, with both the gear in park and the parking brake engaged.

This will ensure you are also proceeding as safely as possible. Step 1: Turn on the AC. Turn the car’s fan motor on high and press the button to turn on the AC. This can also be labeled as MAX A/C. The AC button has a light on the button that illuminates when the air conditioner is turned on. Verify if this light turns on when you reach MAX A/C. If it does not turn on, it is an indication that either the switch itself is malfunctioning or the AC circuit is not getting power. Step 2: Verify that air is blowing. Verify if you are able to feel air blowing through the vents. If you cannot feel any air coming through, try switching between the different speed settings and feeling for any kind of air coming through the vents. If you do not feel any air or if you only feel air coming through the vents on certain settings, the problem may lie with the AC’s blower motor or the blower motor resistor. Sometimes blower motors and/or their resistors will fail and stop pushing both hot and cold air through the vents.

Step 3: Check the strength of airflow. If you are feeling air and the blower motor is allowing the fans to produce air at all speeds, you next want to feel the actual force of the air coming through. Is it weak, even at the highest settings? If you are experiencing a weak force, then you will want to check your car’s cabin air filter and make sure there is nothing obstructing the airway. Step 4: Check the temperature of air. Next you will want to check the temperature of the air that the AC is producing. Use a thermometer, such as a meat thermometer, and stick it inside the air vent near the driver side window. This will give you an idea of the temperature of the air that the AC is producing. Typically, air conditioners will blow on cold as low as 28 degrees F but on a really warm day where temperatures soar into the high 90s, the air may only blow as low as 50-60 degrees F. All of these reasons can be cause for a non working air conditioner and would require the enlisting of a certified mechanic as your next step.

Step 1: Check for any airflow obstruction. You will first want to check your grill and bumper, as well as the area around the condenser, and make sure there is not anything obstructing air flow. As we mentioned earlier, debris blocking air flow can prevent an AC from functioning properly. Step 2: Check the AC belt. Now we will go under the hood and check the AC belt. Some vehicles have a belt just for the AC compressor. This check is best done with the engine off and the key out of the ignition. If the belt is indeed there, push down on the belt with your fingers to see if the belt has come loose. If the belt is missing, or if the belt is loose, inspect the belt tensioner, replace and install components and recheck the AC for proper function. Step 3: Listen and inspect the compressor. You can now start the engine back up and return to the engine bay. Be sure to leave the AC set to high or MAX and the blower motor fan on high. Visually inspect the AC compressor. Look and listen for the compressor clutch engaging on the AC pulley.

It is normal for the compressor to cycle on and off, however if it is not cycling at all or if it is cycling on/off rapidly (within a couple of seconds) you may be low on refrigerant. Step 4: Check the fuses. If you do not hear or see the AC compressor cycling, check the appropriate fuses and relays to ensure they are functioning properly. If you discover bad fuses or relays, it is important to replace them and recheck your AC for performance. Step 5: Check the wiring. Finally, if the compressor still does not cycle on and/or off and the AC system has been verified to have the proper amount of refrigerant, then the wiring to the AC compressor and any pressure switches will need to be checked with a digital voltage meter to confirm if these components are getting the power they need to function. Step 1: Turn off the engine. Turn off your car’s engine. Step 2: Locate the pressure ports. Open the hood and locate the high and low pressure ports on the AC system.

Step 3: Install the gauges. Install your gauges and start the engine back up with the AC on Max or high. Step 4: Check your pressure. Depending on the outside temperature, your low side pressure should be typically around 40psi and typically the high side will vary from 170psi to 250psi. This is depending on the size of the AC system, as well as the ambient temperature outside. Step 5: Verify the read-outs. If one or both pressure readings are out of range, this is verification your vehicle has a non working air conditioner. If the system is low or completely out of refrigerant, you have a leak and it will need to be inspected as soon as possible. Leaks are commonly found at the condenser (due to it’s location being right behind the car’s grill and in turn subject to rocks and other road debris puncturing it) but leaks can also appear where pipe fittings and hoses come together. Typically you will see oily dirt around the joints or area of the leak. If a leak cannot be detected visually, the leak may be too small to see, or even deep inside the dashboard.