Is your air conditioner fan making an awful noise? Are you worried that the part might need to be replaced? Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix an air conditioner fan problem on your own.
Air filters
If you haven’t changed your air filter in a while, take some time to do it—it could help your AC run more efficiently. An air filter keeps dust and other particles from building up in your system and shortening its lifespan. If you don’t know how long it’s been since you last changed it, check under your sink or outside where you keep your furnace for instructions about how often you should change it out (typically once every few months). It will usually come with detailed instructions on how to install it as well.
Once you have everything ready, follow these steps:
1) Turn off power to your air conditioner at the breaker switch.
2) Open all the windows and doors in your home so that cold air can circulate freely.
3) Unplug any attached fans or electrical appliances like dehumidifiers so they won’t get damaged during installation.
4) Remove any existing filters by unscrewing them from their metal mounting brackets if they aren’t already removable by hand.
5) Screw new filters into place according to manufacturer’s directions.
Get Rid of Pet Hair
If you have a pet and an air conditioner fan, it’s no secret that pet hair clings to and gets caught in both. Air conditioners also make it easy for your furry friend’s shed fur to spread further through your home. To combat these issues, keep your floors vacuumed and use a lint roller around air vents, floor registers, baseboards and doorways. After vacuuming or using a lint roller, give everything a good wipe with a wet cloth or damp mop. This will remove any debris that may be sticking around from dog hair so it doesn’t end up on your furniture again in two days’ time! The wet rag approach is especially helpful for cooling coils since dog hair can become caked on them if not cleaned regularly.
If you’re still having issues with pet hair, consider replacing or rotating air filters as needed. This helps extend their lives and keep your air conditioner running smoothly. It can also prevent dirt and debris from entering your home’s HVAC system, which could potentially clog vents or affect airflow throughout your home. The lifespan of air filters vary based on use and quality but they should be replaced at least once a month when in use (more often if you have pets). In addition to regular cleaning, it’s recommended that filters are changed every three months if not more frequently than that depending on how many pets you have and/or if there is a high level of pet dander in your house.
Ventilate
If your air conditioner fan stops working, there’s a simple way to fix it. First you’ll need to ventilate your unit so it can discharge any trapped hot air. Unplug or turn off your central AC, then manually remove its front panel (usually held on by four screws). Next, prop open a window (or door) and remove any screen that may be in place on a slider-type AC. Finally, use a soft cloth or hairdryer to blow air onto and around the condenser coil until you hear wind noise coming from inside your AC—this is proof that all of its nooks and crannies are clear of debris.
After you’ve cleared out your AC, plug it back in and turn it on. If your fan still isn’t working, you may need to repair or replace it—if that’s not possible, you may need a new AC altogether. To see what’s causing your air conditioner fan problem, use a multimeter set to measure amps and test each component of your air conditioner. Make sure your unit is off before connecting any wires—then go from component to component (and following manufacturer-specific instructions), testing whether each one is working correctly. The compressor should register between 25 and 40 amps when energized; if it does not, check for blown fuses, loose connections or other electrical problems.
Check the Exhaust Hose
If your air conditioner fan is running but isn’t blowing cool air, it could be because you have a problem with your exhaust hose. Your exhaust hose is connected to your furnace and runs outside of your home through a hole in your wall. If the exhaust hose isn’t properly attached, it will allow hot air back into your home, preventing you from getting comfortable cool air in every room. To check if you have a problem with your exhaust hose, feel for warm air coming out of one of your registers or vents when you turn on your A/C. If so, there might be something wrong with it.
If you find that your exhaust hose is broken, you can either replace it yourself or call a professional. If you’re comfortable doing so, replacement is simple—just remove and then reattach a new exhaust hose. You can buy one online or at your local hardware store. You may want to take some measurements first, though, as all hoses are different sizes and shapes. Make sure that you have a new matching-size tube before purchasing one. Replacing it yourself will cost less than $20 if you buy a replacement from Lowe’s, Home Depot or another home improvement store with more than 100 locations across North America.
Clean the Thermostat
If your air conditioner won’t turn on, there are a few things you can check. First, clean off your thermostat’s sensor with a cloth or soft brush (like you would use for cleaning your glasses). Second, check your thermostat setting. Depending on which generation of thermostat you have, it may need to be set at either cooling or heating for you AC to turn on. Third, take off your filter and look around for any obstructions. If that doesn’t solve it then contact a professional air conditioning repair service like Valley Comfort Heating and Air. They will assess what is wrong and how much it will cost to fix.
If you have a stand-alone air conditioner and it still won’t turn on, check that your breaker isn’t flipped or there is no loose wiring. You can use a voltage tester (you can buy one at any hardware store) or a multimeter to make sure there is power going to your AC unit. If not then contact Valley Comfort Heating and Air so they can fix it for you.
Clean Dirt From Blower Wheel and Motor Housing
To fix your air conditioner fan problem, start by turning off power to your HVAC system at your home’s main electrical panel. Use a dry rag or a vacuum cleaner hose attachment and gently clean dirt from around the blower wheel and housing (but be careful not to damage these parts). Cleaning out debris can remove any blockages that may be contributing to excessive noise. You should also inspect these areas for signs of physical damage; if you notice any chips or cracks, call in a professional technician who can replace these parts with new ones.
Make sure your air conditioner fan is operating properly by setting your thermostat temperature above and below what you’d normally set it. If you notice that cool air doesn’t flow out of vents at both ends of your home, or if you notice high fan speeds with a decreased amount of cool air coming out, contact a professional AC technician for help. You should also call for service if you notice abnormal noises or a strange odor coming from your system; these are signs that there may be something wrong with the blower wheel and motor housing, which need to be repaired by a professional.
Call Valley Comfort Heating and Air
The first step is to call a professional. An air conditioner fan problem is typically something that can be fixed in 15 minutes or less by a professional, which will save you both time and money. And since most service calls are no-hassle and don’t require you being home, it’s easy enough for them to drop by when it’s convenient for you. That means their help can prevent issues from getting worse, making problems easier and cheaper to fix before they affect your comfort at home or on your business property. It also helps prevent damage that might result if you try handling such problems on your own.