Troubleshooting Major Appliances

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Cleaning: Unplug the cooling unit and slide it out of its case (you may have to remove some screws from around the base first). Most conditioners have an air filter in front of the coils. If it's the disposable fiberglass type (similar to a standard furnace filter), replace it; if it's a permanent sponge filter, wash it in soapy water, rinse it in fresh water, and squeeze the material dry before reinstalling. Also vacuum the system—the coils, fan blades, etc.—to remove any accumulated dirt and lint. Or if you wish, flush the debris away with a high-pressure hose ... but if you choose this method, be sure to let the unit dry in the sun for at least 24 hours before using it. And while the unit is out, you might also give the fan and motor a couple of squirts of lubricating oil (if, that is, your air conditioner has oil ports for that purpose). These simple procedures should be practiced as routine maintenance at the start of each cooling season: They will extend the life of your machine as well as improve its efficiency.

Fan: Sometimes mud dauber wasps work their way into an air conditioner and build nests that block or hinder the fan. To check for this or other possible obstructions, take the unit out of its case, plug it back in, and see if the fan turns rapidly. If not, unplug the unit again and pull out any nests or debris that may be causing the problem. If the fan still runs too slowly, its blades may be hitting against an area of bubbled-up rust. In that case, try to hammer the high spots down or adjust the blades by bending them slightly away from the blisters.

Incorrect angle: Adjust the unit so that it's tilting slightly downward, from front to back, toward the outside of the house (make sure that it's level from left to right, though). This angle is necessary for proper drainage of condensed water vapor, which drips from the coils into a collector pan and then out the back of the machine.

Clogged drain: Clean the drain holes, which are located near the collector pan, with a length of stiff wire such as a pin or a straightened coat hanger.

Unclog drain holes with stiff wire. The air filter in front of a room air conditioner's coils should be cleaned or replaced regularly.

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