Should you look for an AC repair in Pearland or fix your AC yourself? It all depends on the issues you are facing. AC units are built to last many years, but if you don’t take care of them and provide them with regular maintenance, you will undoubtedly run into some issues.
Regular maintenance implies cleaning your unit and servicing your AC once every six months. Homeowners can fix some simple issues with their AC units, but for the most part, you should contact a technician to inspect your unit, and here is why.
Why DIY Doesn’t Work With AC Units
AC units aren’t as simple as they used to be. This type of refrigeration equipment has seen multiple modifications over the past decades and in some cases, even basic repairs aren’t an answer anymore for regular homeowners due to their complexity.
AC technicians spend years training and learning how to deal with the newest AC models, and they also use specialized equipment to tackle even the simplest procedures. If you attempt to repair an AC by yourself, you risk damaging it even more, losing your warranty, and having to pay even more for the repairs.
For example, you might believe that replacing a motor or sealing a refrigerant leak is easy. But are you sure that this is the issue with your AC? You can do more wrong than good easily. Instead, you should contact an HVAC company to inspect your unit and provide regular maintenance and tune-ups. Yet, there are a couple of things that you can do for your AC.
What You Can Do as a Homeowner With AC Problems
Though attempting to fix an AC by yourself with no qualifications is a big no-no, there are some things that you can do before you call in professional technicians. Some of them include the following:
- Inspecting and changing the air filters
Air filters need to be replaced once every one or three months. If you don’t do this, your home won’t be efficiently cooled by the unit. Every HVAC cabinet accumulates dust with usage that will eventually obstruct its airflow. If you are dealing with cooling issues, some of the first things you need to check are your air filters and see if they are clogged. Change them right away if they are.
- Thermostat settings
Sometimes, when we deal with a faulty machine, we often get frustrated and overlook the simplest answer to our problem, which is often the solution. A simple wrong thermostat setting can give off the impression that our AC unit is faulty. Before calling in the professionals, check out your thermostat settings.
- Outside cabinet inspection
If the cooling power of your AC unit seems weak compared to previous usage, you should consider inspecting the outside cabinet or condenser. If the condenser unit fails to release heat outside, it can’t absorb the heat inside. In this case, clean your outdoor cabinet and remove anything that obstructs it, such as leaves or branches.
You should also consider resetting tripped circuit breakers or opening room vents if they are closed. Also, always call a professional HVAC technician to inspect your unit for any issues and regularly maintain your unit!