Checking an AC Unit

Air conditioning units and HVAC units don’t last forever 10 years is an average lifespan and the moment they fail is usually when you need them the most. If you can hear your Las Vegas air conditioning unit running, but it doesn’t cool well, make sure nothing is blocking or limiting air flow anywhere in the system which is the air filters, registers, and the compressor.

How to Check the Indoor Air Handler

Turn off the power to the air conditioning air handler or furnace. If the air handler is a gas furnace, turn off the gas at the gas valve that serves the furnace. Remove the door on the front of the air-handler cabinet so you can access the filter. Pull out the filter and clean or replace it as necessary. Look for ice. If you see ice in the area around the coils, close the unit back up, turn the power back on, and turn on the fan. The ice should melt within an hour or two.

Only two things cause an AC air handler to freeze up:

1. Reduced air flow because of dirty filters, coils, or poorly working fans, and
2. Low refrigerant level, which a pro must check and, if necessary, recharge. More often than not, the problem comes from reduced air flow.

Clear the Condensate Drain

Air condition unit can create a lot of water because they remove moisture from the air. To get rid of this, they have a [usually plastic] drain pipe that comes out of the side of the air handler. Over time, algae can block this pipe and, when it does, the AC won’t work. In fact, some condensate drains have a float switch that won’t let the AC run if water backs-up. Water can also puddle around the unit or flood the area.

Make sure the compressor is working

When you set the thermostat to a temperature below the room temperature, you should hear the outdoor compressor run and see the fan turning inside the top. If the fan isn’t turning, look for an overload button or switch to reset (not all types have this). Stick a screwdriver or stick down through the top grille and try to spin the fan blades clockwise. They should spin freely. If doing this gives the fan enough of a boost to get it going, the unit has a faulty capacitor that must be replaced.

Air Conditioner Not Blowing Air

If your Las Vegas air conditioning unit doesn’t go on at all when you set the thermostat for a cooler-than-room temperature, either read or study about handling electrical trouble shooting in an air conditioning unit. If you have fairly good DIY skills and a millimetre, go through the diagnostic steps to determine whether the problem may be a condensate pump switch.

The good news is that not every system malfunction spells total doom. Many nuisances are so cheap and easy to fix, you’ll kick yourself for not doing them sooner.