How to Know if Your Air Conditioner is Broken

An air conditioner is designed to perform a series of tasks that results in cold air being pushed into the home. To know if your air conditioner is no longer functioning, check these tasks one at a time to see if they are functioning as they should be. No electrical or mechanical skills are required.

Instructions

1. Turn the air conditioner's selector knob to "Fan." Turn the "Speed" knob to "Low." Turn the power switch on the air conditioner to "On." Listen to the sound that the fan makes for half minute. Turn the selector knob to "Cold" or "Cool" -- this will vary depending on the model. If the sound is no different than what it was before, the compressor in the air conditioner is broken.

2. Set the air conditioner's selector knob at "Cool" or "Cold" -- depending on the model -- and the "Speed" knob to "Low." Turn the air conditioner's power switch to "On." Place your hand against the front grille on the air conditioner so that you can feel the air that is being vented out. Leave your hand there for five minutes. If the air remains at room temperature, there is a leak in the unit and the coolant has escaped.

3. Set the selector knob to "Fan" and the "Speed" knob to "High." Turn the air conditioner on. Listen to the sound that the air conditioner is making. Turn the air conditioner off immediately and pull the power cord out of the wall outlet if there is a humming sound, without any air exiting the front facing grille. This indicates that the motor has burned out.

References

• Must Know How: Repair A Broken Ductless Air Conditioner
• AC-Central: Frequently Asked Questions About How Air Conditioners Work

Resources

• ACU Air: How Your Air Conditioner Works