When to Call a Professional For AC Maintenance

It’s a struggle everybody knows well- “Can I handle this by myself or should I reach out for help?” is a very common question, especially with matters of home maintenance. There are some home maintenance tasks that can easily be handled by yourself, and there are others that you should call a professional to help you with. When it comes to AC maintenance, the same rule applies. Some tasks are simple to perform and can easily be completed by the homeowner, and others are a bit more complicated and should be left to someone with the proper training. 

AC Filter Changes: Do it Yourself

Filter changes are some of the easiest AC maintenance tasks to perform. Filters do need to be changed regularly. Otherwise, the filter can become clogged and dirty, which affects the air quality inside your home. Bad air quality can lead to breathing problems, so it’s really important to make sure you have a clean filter! Changing a filter is pretty simple. Turn off the power to the AC unit, slide the dirty filter out of the slot that it’s held in, and insert a new one. Make sure you have the right kind of filter, or it may not work properly. 

Annual Inspections: Call a Professional

No matter how well your air conditioner is running, you should always have an inspection done once per year, and you should always call a professional for those inspections. Someone who has been trained in AC maintenance will know what to look for and can spot problems that the average homeowner may not be able to see. Additionally, if you’re taking anything inside the machine apart, there’s always the risk that you could accidentally put it back together incorrectly. 

Checking the Thermostat: Do it Yourself

If your air conditioner isn’t working, one of the first things you can do is to check and make sure your thermostat is working properly. Make sure it’s set to your desired temperature and that it is set to “cool” instead of “heat”. If your thermostat is old, it may even be time to replace it. Look into smart thermostats, as they can save you money on your energy bill and even connect to your smartphone for temperature control!

AC Not Blowing Cool Air: Call a Professional

If your air conditioner is blowing air, but it’s not cool air, this is not a problem we’d recommend trying to fix on your own. Calling a professional who is experienced in AC maintenance is your best bet, because this problem could have several causes. Your coolant levels could be low, or you could have a problem with your compressor. In either case, a professional will be able to help you out. 

Cleaning the Condenser Coils: Do it Yourself

If you notice that the coils on your outdoor compressor are becoming dirty, it’s generally safe to clean them up by yourself. You’ll need to turn the power to the unit off and get a bottle of outdoor coil cleaner, which will cost you about $30. Be sure to clean any dirt, leaves, etc. out of the fins on the outside of the coil first, then spray the coil cleaner into the coil. Leave it to sit for about 5-10 minutes, then gently flush it out with water.

Weird Noises or Smells: Call a Professional

If your air conditioner starts squeaking or banging or if you notice burning or chemical-like smells, don’t try to figure out and fix the problem on your own. Strange smells or sounds can indicate any number of problems, including a serious internal failure. That’s not something you want to mess with if you don’t have AC maintenance training. Call a professional as soon as you hear or smell something odd, and if it gets worse, shut off the air conditioner until that professional arrives. 

Do You Need AC Maintenance?

When your home needs fast, high-quality service, you can count on Stack Heating, Cooling, & Electric! We do a variety of AC maintenance, repairs, replacements, and installations. We want you to know that your family’s safety and comfort is our number one priority, as it always has been. We are taking all necessary precautions and following CDC guidelines to keep our customers and employees healthy. We’ve been serving the Cleveland area for over 40 years, and we’re not going anywhere. Give us a call at (440) 937-9134 or visit us on our website today and find out what we can do for you!