How To Repair A Window Air Conditioner

window ac

Window air conditioners are a fast and affordable way to cool certain rooms in your home. Ideal for renters or people living in balmy climates, a window air conditioner uses a minimal amount of energy to maintain optimum comfort levels in your domicile. As with any appliance, your air conditioner tin't run properly without regular care and maintenance. Get to know your window air conditioner so y'all'll empathise what'southward happening as it runs and why your almanac tune-up is so important.

If you detect a problem, brainstorm troubleshooting immediately. Calling in a licensed professional to service your unit when it'south having serious problems volition assistance yous relieve coin in the long run by squeezing a few extra years of service out of your appliance.

Getting to Know Your Window Unit of measurement Air Conditioner

Before you tin can troubleshoot or repair your window unit of measurement air conditioner, y'all must empathize all the parts that make up this organisation. Window units feature both interior and exterior parts separated by a center panel.

Interior parts include:

Front panel or grill: This is the but visible part of the interior half of the window air conditioner. The front end panel includes the controls you employ to adjust settings on the device also as the return air grills that pump out cool air. Adjustable louvers in the air grills let you lot adjust the air's direction.
Evaporator whorl: Common cold refrigerant runs through the evaporator roll. When air passes over the chilled coil, it becomes colder.
Fan or blower: The fan or blower pulls warm air into the unit, and so pushes it past the evaporator gyre and through the filter to cool and clean information technology, respectively.
Fan motor: Located between the evaporator curl and condenser in a window Ac unit, the fan motor enjoys a very compact location. It is fitted to both these components via small shafts. An ac blower motor replacement costs between $100 – $300.
Thermostat: The thermostat is responsible for measuring and maintaining the temperature within your unit.
Filter: The filter is the function of your unit of measurement that you lot volition accept the near contact with. It's typically found simply inside the forepart panel, making it easily accessible. You should change or clean the filter regularly.

Outside parts include:

Compressor: The compressor pressurizes gas inside the condenser coils. The pressurized gas turns to liquid refrigerant.
Condenser or condensing ringlet: The condenser curlicue releases heat from the refrigerant, allowing it to escape into the surrounding air.
Condenser fan: The condenser fan blows air over the surface of the condenser coil. This helps release the oestrus from the refrigerant back into the air.
Bleed pan: Condensate builds up on the cooling coil. This volition drip downward onto the drain pan.
Condensate drain tube: Water from the bleed pan exits the unit of measurement through an outside condensate drain tube. Not all units have this tube. Instead, some only accept a hole that water tin can drain through.

A basic understanding of how your window air conditioning unit works will brand it easier for yous to understand the potential problems you might experience. All air conditioners use refrigerant to absurd air, so if you lot're familiar with how standard HVAC units operate, then y'all have a basic understanding of window air conditioners. Window units are simply smaller.

In the compressor, the hot gas is pressurized until it reaches the chilled liquid state. The liquid refrigerant then passes into the evaporator coil. The organization's fan pulls warm air through the filter and into the unit. Hither, the air passes over the common cold evaporator coil and becomes chilled. The absurd air blows dorsum into the room where it mixes with the warmer air in the environs, creating a cooler and more than comfortable space.

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Troubleshooting Simple Problems

You can hands fix many common issues with your window unit air conditioner. Troubleshoot the unit for these uncomplicated issues before calling in professional help.

Water Dripping From the Unit

It'due south alarming to run into water dripping off your window unit air conditioner or to observe a puddle growing beneath it. Fortunately, this upshot isn't as serious equally it seems. A water leak just means that the pan beneath the unit slopes toward the forepart of the unit and non the back. Readjust your unit of measurement and then it slopes astern to instantly correct the problem. When the pan slopes toward the outside of the home equally it should, condensate from the evaporator coil will gather in the pan and drip outside.

Unit Cycling On and Off Often

If you feel like you're constantly hearing your unit cycle on and off, there's probably a trouble with the thermostat or temperature sensor. You might be able to prepare this effect yourself. Earlier calling a professional person, adjust your drapes so they don't obstruct the thermostat or front end panel, and clear leaves away from the condenser. If this doesn't solve the problem, keep reading to learn nearly problems best serviced by a professional.

Unit Cools Inefficiently

If you're fighting a constant battle to keep your home absurd, there'south probably something preventing your air conditioning unit from operating at peak efficiency. The nearly common diagnosis – and easiest solution – is a dirty filter.

You lot should change your window AC filter regularly. Aim to change it at to the lowest degree one time every iii months and as often every bit in one case a month if yous have children, pets or a lot of dust in the home. Changing the filter is quick, simple and affordable. Simply open the unit of measurement, remove the old filter and replace it with a new one.

AC Unit Won't Plough On

If your unit won't turn on, there are a few simple problems you tin troubleshoot before calling a professional. Showtime, check to brand sure the unit is plugged in. This might seem fairly obvious, just it's like shooting fish in a barrel to overlook, particularly if the unit plugs into an outlet hidden behind a piece of furniture. If the unit is plugged in, check to brand sure you haven't blown a fuse. If resetting the circuit breaker doesn't work, it's fourth dimension to motility on to professional solutions.

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When to Hire a Professional Contractor

At that place are many instances where simple at-dwelling solutions won't piece of work. It's important to turn to a professional for all serious problems with your window air conditioner unit of measurement. Below are some mutual problems that a professional contractor can help you lot with. If yous're experiencing other less common problems with your unit, your contractor can aid you diagnose and solve those, equally well.

Unit Cycling On and Off Frequently

A unit that cycles on and off likewise oftentimes typically has a trouble with the thermostat or temperature sensor. A professional will check the unit to make sure the thermostat sensor is positioned correctly. This might include delicately adjusting the wire and moving the thermostat sensor so it doesn't impact the evaporator coil.

Your unit might besides endure from a small refrigerant leak. Whatsoever standard service visit will catch this trouble. Have your contractor melody up the unit and check for anything out-of-place. He might perform a diversity of helpful tasks including straightening the fins with a fin comb, charging the refrigerant and repairing leaks.

Blown Fuses From the Window Unit of measurement Air Conditioner

If your unit blows fuses or pops the circuit breaker when information technology turns on, you're probably running it on an inadequately sized excursion. The typical unit tin can run off a fifteen amp circuit, but larger window air conditioners need a dedicated circuit. Contact an electrician to run a dedicated twenty amp circuit straight to the window air conditioner. This volition put an end to blown fuses and eliminate the need to strategically reposition electric devices throughout the domicile in an attempt to avert the trouble.

Unit Cools Inefficiently

If changing the filter doesn't improve your unit's performance notably, it probably needs a total servicing. Ideally, you will schedule a tune-upwards with your HVAC contractor once a twelvemonth earlier you begin operating your air conditioning unit for the season. During this appointment, your contractor volition:

Check the thermostat to make certain it'southward operating correctly
Inspect the air filter and modify it if needed
Audit the condensate drain for buildup or blockages and clear as needed
Check the evaporator roll for dust and clay buildup and clean when necessary
Cheque the evaporator fan and motor for proper function
Lubricate bearings
Articulate grit and debris from fan
Adapt fan equally needed for proper rotation
Inspect refrigerant lines for leaks or kinks and repair when necessary
Audit and clean the condenser whorl
Cheque gyre fins and straighten every bit needed
Lubricate the condenser fan
Ensure condenser fan has proper rotation and connectedness
Check refrigerant levels and charge equally needed

Dust and debris will build up naturally inside your air conditioner. A dirty fan or coils will decrease organisation performance. Low refrigerant levels might also be to arraign. A simple melody-upwards will address all these issues and might even alert you to bug you weren't enlightened of. It'due south important to piece of work with a reliable contractor and schedule this visit yearly.

Air-conditioning Unit of measurement Won't Turn On

If your unit fails to turn on while information technology's plugged into a working outlet, the trouble is likely in the ability string. A professional can examination the ability cord using a volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) to RX1 scale attached to the prongs. If the power cord is indeed the problem, your AC contractor can replace this office entirely, instantly restoring your system to proper functioning.

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Repair or Supersede: Asking the Essential Question

There comes a time in the life of whatever appliance where you must determine whether information technology's more than cost-effective to continue repairing the unit or to invest in a replacement. The average cost to repair a window air conditioner is $213, but this can vary from but $50 for minor repairs to $700 for major problems. The first thing you can do when you're because the value of a repair is to compare your contractor's judge with the price of a new unit.

Window air conditioner units can vary in toll from less than $150 to more than $500 per unit to purchase. Here are some examples of window Air-conditioning units and what they cost.

Brand	BTU	Features	Price per Unit
GE	5,100	2 speeds	$129
LG Electronics	5,000	Energy STAR ii speeds	$139
GE	6,050	Remote command 2 speeds Programmable timer	$179
LG Electronics	8,000	Remote control 3 speeds Programmable timer	$239
GE	8,100	Remote control 3 speeds Programmable timer	$239
Frigidaire	ten,000	3 speeds Programmable timer	$249
Haier	12,000	Remote control 4 modes, incl. Energy Saver 3 speeds Programmable timer	$299
Precipitous	12,000	Remote command 3 speeds Programmable timer	$329
LG Electronics	12,000	Remote command iii speeds Programmable timer	$349
GE	fourteen,250	Remote control 3 speeds Programmable timer	$399
Danby	15,000	ENERGY STAR Remote control 3 speeds	$449
LG Electronics	18,000	Remote command 3 speeds Programmable timer	$499
GE	18,250	Remote command 3 speeds Programmable timer	$499
Frigidaire	12,000	Remote control 3 speeds Programmable timer	$629
LG Electronics	18,000	Remote control 2 speeds Programmable timer	$699

British thermal units, or BTUs, are the deciding factors that will help you lot choose the best apparatus for your needs. If you've been struggling to adequately absurd your home, consider your electric current unit of measurement's BTU before investing in all-encompassing repairs. Even the best maintained unit of measurement can't combat full sunlight, kitchen rut, or a big room if it lacks the proper BTU. Check this nautical chart to see if your unit is the proper size. If not, information technology's fourth dimension for a replacement.

Square Feet	Recommended BTU	Full Sun BTU	Kitchen BTU
800	15,000	16,500	19,000
550	12,000	13,200	16,000
450	ten,000	11,000	14,000
340	8,000	eight,800	12,000
280	seven,000	seven,700	11,000
260	6,000	vi,600	10,000
150	5,000	5,500	ix,000

If a room regularly has more than two people in information technology, you'll want more than the recommended BTU. Add 600 BTUs per person to maintain adequate domicile comfort.

Your appliance'south age also plays an of import role in your decision to either repair or replace the unit. Most Ac units have a lifespan of almost 10 years. If you're diligent about your annual maintenance, filter changes and safe storage of the unit when information technology's not in use, y'all might add a few years to the lifespan. If your air conditioner is older than x years, you're probably improve served buying a replacement than investing in more repairs. Today'south newer systems offer free energy-efficient benefits that can reduce your free energy expenses, helping yous recoup some of the initial price of the investment.

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Window Units vs. Central Air Conditioning

If yous've decided that information technology'southward time to invest in a new air conditioner, you take one final decision to brand. Practise yous desire to stick with a window air conditioning unit or upgrade to a key air conditioning organization? At that place are drawbacks and benefits on both sides of the argument.

Benefits of Window Air Conditioning Units

Easy installation – Plugs into a standard outlet with no boosted wiring
Affordable
Designed for one room at a time – Platonic for climates where you don't need to cool the entire home

Drawbacks of Window Air conditioning Units

Inefficient at managing high humidity levels
Hard to properly seal in the window, and so air might escape
Low efficiency with typical energy efficiency ratings (EER) of 10 or 11

Benefits of Central Air-conditioning

Cools the entire home
Manages humidity finer
Loftier efficiency with typical EER ratings of 14 or xv

Drawbacks of Central Air Workout

New units are expensive
Installing a new cardinal air conditioning system is circuitous and time-consuming
Might provide unnecessary cooling to unused rooms

If y'all live in a relatively absurd climate and merely demand air conditioning for a few rooms in your home, window units are an efficient answer. Past turning these air conditioners on and off when using the rooms, yous'll avoid the cost of cooling your entire home when you spend the day in merely a fraction of the firm.

If y'all live in a hot and humid climate, all the same, you will probably observe that you're amend served by primal air conditioning. This is a significant expense and something you'll probably need to save up for. Installing cardinal air-conditioning typically costs betwixt $3,681 and $seven,173, and repairs to upkeep the unit typically run homeowners between $150 to $500.

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