Air conditioning is arguably one of the most important inventions of the last century, and it’s also easy to take it for granted when it’s working as intended.
That said, if your aircon system is taken out of action for any reason during the summer months, it can be inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst.
So what should you do if your aircon breaks down? Here’s a look at when repairs make sense, and when outright replacement is the best option.
Look for simple fixes
In most cases, an aircon unit that’s playing up won’t be completely unsalvageable and instead might only require minor maintenance to restore normal operation.
The first thing to check is the filter system. Over time the filters will become caked in detritus and will have to be cleaned out or replaced with new equivalents so that the aircon can operate optimally and so that air quality in your home is preserved.
The next problem point is the thermostat, which can be separated from the aircon unit itself. An incorrect setting, or an outright fault, could cause the thermostat to not activate your aircon at the right moment.
For remote thermostats, replacing the battery could be all that’s needed to revive your entire aircon setup. If you’ve got a modern smart home system, checking configurations in this could also unearth the issue.
Call in the pros
Aside from the basics, it’s not a good idea to get too involved with diagnosing and dealing with aircon breakdowns.
Instead, you’ll be better off calling on specialists like ARS for heating and AC repair. Experts will be able to advise you on the kind of work that’s needed, and most importantly will know whether it’s necessary to replace your unit or simply tackle teething problems in situ.
Consider the context in which your aircon is being used
Another interesting point to consider, and one which plenty of people overlook, is that your aircon might not be broken or faulty, but could be unsuited to the job you’ve tasked it with.
This usually occurs in the case that a unit is too small to adequately cool the volume of air in the building in question. Paring an undersized domestic unit with a vast commercial space, for example, is far from ideal.
Likewise, if the aircon isn’t positioned or oriented correctly, it could be working hard but not delivering the desired results. This could lead you to wrongly assume that the problem lies with the unit, rather than with its deployment.
Again, working with professionals to pinpoint and address such scenarios is best, as relying on guesswork will only cost you more time and money in the long run.
Leverage other resources
The final thing to think about when faced with aircon dilemmas is whether you can get assistance from the unit’s original manufacturer. There are two ways to go about this; first, by looking in the manual that came with the unit, and second, by calling the manufacturer’s customer support line.
If your unit is under warranty, then you may be obliged to go through the official channels to get it fixed, to still preserve this warranty, or even extend it as necessary.
Final thoughts
When an aircon unit breaks down, you shouldn’t panic. There are lots of ways to overcome this, so long as you act swiftly and don’t hesitate to get expert advice.
Regular maintenance can also help to minimize the chances of breakdowns occurring, so don’t skimp on this aspect of aircon ownership.
