Your outdoor air conditioner unit is an integral part of the cooling system in your home. When it’s not working, you’ll feel the heat. Here are some common issues that you can encounter and steps on how to fix them.

Check the Power

First things first: Make sure your outdoor unit is getting power. Check the breaker to see if it’s tripped. You’d be surprised how many homeowners don’t even think to check this and go straight to calling for appliance repair. If the breaker is OK, look for any loose wires or damaged cables. If you find any damage, you will need a professional’s help because working with wires and cables without proper training and experience can be dangerous.

Clean the Coils

The coils in your outdoor unit are the lungs of the system. They play a critical role in keeping your home cool by absorbing heat from inside. But just as you can’t breathe with clogged lungs, your AC can’t function properly with dirty coils. When they’re covered in dirt and debris, the system must work much harder to cool your home, which can lead to higher energy bills and even damage over time. That’s why it’s important to keep them clean. You can gently clean the coils using a soft brush or a garden hose to wash away the dirt. Handle them carefully, as the coils are delicate and can easily be bent or damaged. Taking the time to clean them will help your unit run more efficiently and keep your home comfortable.

Clear Obstructions

It’s really important to make sure there’s nothing blocking your outdoor AC unit. Things like bushes, vines, or even random trash can get in the way and block the airflow that your air conditioner needs to work properly. If the unit doesn’t have enough space to “breathe,” it must work a lot harder to cool your home, which can lead to less efficiency and higher energy bills. Not to mention, over time, this extra strain could cause parts of your AC to wear out faster. So, take a few minutes to check around the unit. Trim back any overgrown plants, clear away leaves, and make sure there’s plenty of open space around it.

Check the Refrigerant Level

Refrigerant is the magic juice that makes your AC cool. If there’s a leak, the refrigerant level will drop, and your AC won’t work as well. You’ll need to call a professional to check the refrigerant level and repair any leaks because this isn’t a problem you can handle on your own. If you make one wrong move with refrigerant, you can start a fire because this liquid is highly flammable. Not to mention that spills are bad for the environment.

Don’t suffer in the sweltering heat — call Cornerstone Pros in Tampa Bay, FL for AC repair straight away.