DIY Air Conditioning Repair
- susan4434
- Sep 8, 2021
- 6 min read
If you are handy around appliances and home repair and do not have issues working with electrical, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) is one option to fix a failing air conditioner. You can save time waiting for the repair technician and possibly money on parts and labor.
However, there are several reasons to avoid DIY and call an HVAC contractor to fix a broken AC:
Some DIY repairs to air conditioners require special tools that may cost more than contracting out to an HVAC professional.
HVAC technicians are specially trained in working on electrical issues or with refrigerant.
HVAC technicians work with HVAC systems every day. They can quickly diagnose and fix problems safely and efficiently, which may end up saving you headaches and time.
If you decide to repair the air conditioner yourself, follow the steps outlined in this article to fix your broken A/C.
Maintenance and Cleaning
The first step is to avoid repairs altogether. Most repairs can be avoided by regularly maintaining and cleaning your air conditioner.
One of the easiest things a homeowner can do is replace the air filters regularly. Unfortunately, dirt, dust and pollen can clog the air filters, making it harder for the air conditioner to push clean air out to inside spaces. This also increases energy costs. And if a filter becomes clogged, the dirt can obstruct the evaporator coil, which reduces heat absorption.
It is also important to inspect the HVAC system every season. Inspect the home’s system before the warmer or colder months begin, so if there is a repair issue, there is a greater chance of scheduling an HVAC technician right away. In addition, if you are doing the repairs yourself, you will not have to work in extreme temperatures.
To inspect the HVAC system:
Make sure nothing is obstructing the air vents or outside the condenser unit.
Make sure all windows are completely closed and vents are open.
Inspect that the thermostat is operating and you have temperatures set at the appropriate levels.
When inspecting the outside condenser be sure to:
Check for any water spilling over the drain pan or any leaks in the drain lines.
Fix any broken fins on the condenser unit.
Clean the unit yearly.
For more information on how to clean the condenser and maintain your home’s air conditioner, read our blog post: Maintaining your home air conditioner.
If you are not a DIY person, Air Control of Northwest Arkansas offers a yearly membership, where an HVAC technician comes to the home twice a year to inspect and clean the HVAC system.
DIY Repairs for Air Conditioners
Once you have completed a general inspection of the HVAC system, cleaned the air filters and condenser unit and completed any maintenance such as unclogging drain lines and fixing condenser fins, you are ready to move on to repairs.
If your air conditioner is not working and you do not want to call an HVAC service technician, follow the steps below.
Before Starting a DIY Repair
1. Make sure you have the tools you need before starting any work on your air conditioner.
A few tools you will need before fixing your A/C are:
· Voltage Tester
· Socket Set
· Adjustable Wrench
· Cordless Drill
· Nut Driver
· Insulated Screwdrivers
· A Multimeter and Needle-Nose Pliers
2. Turn the Power Off
Always make sure your power is off before attempting any repairs to your HVAC system. To ensure the power is completely off, make sure nothing is tripped in the main breaker box or electrical panel. Then, turn the breakers to the HVAC and furnace on and off.
To ensure the electricity is off:
Take your voltage meter to test the wires going into the contactor.
Open the condenser’s electrical box and pull the disconnect block out.
Use your voltage meter on the condenser’s electrical box to confirm that the power is off.
Give your HVAC at least five minutes to cool down before starting any work.
DIY Repair for Air Conditioners
Fuses
After the electricity is set to off, locate the condenser unit’s electrical panel, which you can identify by locating the conduit that comes out from the side of the home and runs directly into the electrical access panel. Unscrew the panel and inspect for any buildup or wire damage.
If there is wire damage, and you are comfortable working with wires, replace them with new wiring. Clean out any dirt and buildup from the panel.
If there is no damage, check the two cartridge fuses, contained in the disconnect blocks (some systems may not have fuses located here). If the fuses are blown, you can replace them and see if the unit will start working again.
To check the disconnect block fuses, set your multimeter to the lowest Ohms scale and touch the red and black leads to opposite ends of each fuse. A numerical reading means the fuse is good, but a zero, minus, or infinity (∞) symbol signals a blown fuse.
If you replaced the fuses, put the access panel and disconnect block back in place and turn on the circuit breaker and furnace switch. Next, set the thermostat to a low setting. If the A/C starts and the condenser fan spins, the air conditioner is fixed. Be sure to be patient with your air conditioner. It may take up to ten minutes for the system to recognize any changes you have made.
If you have replaced the fuses and the air conditioner is still not working, it is best to call an HVAC technician that is trained to handle larger problems with an air conditioner.
Capacitor
An air conditioner uses a capacitor to provide an energy boost to get an air conditioner started and contains fluctuations in power. Over time, capacitors wear down. Even with regular maintenance, a capacitor breaks down over time and should be replaced about every five years.
Although an HVAC technician is trained in replacing capacitors quickly and efficiently, it is a DIY option if you are up for the task. Before replacing the capacitor, make sure you order the correct replacement part. Most parts will have a make and model number of easy reordering, or the manufacturer can help you find the correct capacitor based on the unit’s make and model.
To ensure you have the correct rewiring after the switch out, take a picture of how the capacitor is wired before you replace it. Then, make sure the power is off, and any stored energy from the old capacitor is discharged.
Replace one wire at a time from the old capacitor to the new capacitor, using the needle-nose pliers. All connectors should fit tightly onto the capacitor tabs. Once the new capacitor is wired in, make sure the connections are tight and securely fastened in its base.
AC Contactor
Like the capacitor, the AC contactor also breaks down over time and should be replaced every five years. Also similar to the capacitor, the contactor transmits electricity to the AC and regulates the flow of electricity.
Changing the AC contactor is similar to the change out of the capacitor. Make sure to:
· Take a photo before the switch-out to make sure your rewiring is correct.
· Before removing the wiring, take out the old AC contactor by unscrewing it.
· Switch each wire one by one from the old contactor to the new
· Ensure the connections are tight
· Put the new contactor back into the condenser unit.
Summary
Words like “failed capacitor” or “mold-filled drain lines” can seem like expensive AC repairs when you first hear them. But often, these are common fixes for air conditioners. It is possible for a skilled DIYer to fix these issues.
However, having these repairs done by an HVAC service technician may not be as expensive as you think, given the time, tools and training these repairs require. An AC professional can easily spot and fix minor repairs since they work on air conditioners every day.
Overall, it may be worth the investment to hire a professional. It will give you peace of mind the job is done right, and you will not have to spend the time completing the repairs.
If you are looking for an air conditioning technician, Air Control of Northwest Arkansas is ready to help. The professionally-trained technicians work with electric and refrigerant and are insured. Also, Air Control technicians do not work off of commission, so you can be sure you will not be sold parts you do not need.
If you are interested in learning more about air conditioning repair, please check out our blog article, “Common problems and repairs for air conditioners."
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