During the summer, Long Islanders rely on their air conditioning units to keep their homes cool and comfortable. With regular maintenance and proper care, a quality air conditioning system should last a good two decades or more. It is not uncommon, however, to experience a problem with your A/C unit. A multitude of factors, such as weathering, dirt, malfunctioning parts and age can wear your system down as time goes on. Here are some simple things that you can do to troubleshoot any problems you may have with your home’s central air conditioning.

Problem: My air conditioner is not cooling my home properly

Low refrigerant levels or a dirty condenser are typically the culprit.  A clogged evaporator or condenser can be cleaned on your own. Check your unit’s operating manual or go on the manufacturer’s website for step by step directions. When it comes to adding a/c coolant, it is best left to a professional. These chemicals are toxic and must be handled appropriately. Never add refrigerant yourself. The trained staff at Dole is happy to make a service call and address the issue for you.

Problem: The cooling in my house is uneven

If the air distribution of your cooling system is out of balance, you may have a clogged vent or pinched duct work. If your vents and duct work run through an accessible space, such as an attic, you may be able to find the source of the problem. Examine the vents for any blockages and inspect the duct work for any punctures or crimping. If you do not find any visible issues, discuss the problem with Dole and we will determine the cause of the cooling imbalance.

Problem: My air conditioner will not turn on

If your a/c system won’t turn on, there are usually 3 possible reasons; tripped circuit breakers, clogged vents or a malfunctioning thermostat. A tripped circuit breaker is the easiest of the three to fix. Check your breaker box for any tripped circuits and reset them. If the unit turns on but trips the breaker again, you may have an electrical issue that needs to be addressed by an electrician. If you suspect that clogged vents are the reason for your systems failure to turn on, shine a flashlight into the vents to see if there are any visible blockages. If you suspect a faulty thermostat is to blame, try lowering the thermostat by 5 or more degrees. If the unit does not kick on, you may be correct and you will need to have a Dole technician assess your system.

Problem: My system’s fan is running constantly

Is your thermostat switch set to ‘Fan’ instead of ‘Cool’? If the fan mode is on, the fan will run continuously. To have your fan run only when you are cooling your home, set the fan to ‘Auto’. If the fan continues to run in this mode, contact your Dole service technician.

Problem: The A/C coil is frozen

Clogged air duct filters, dirty air filters or low coolant levels are usually to blame for this problem. You should replace your air filters every 30 days during the summer months to ensure optimal performance of your air conditioning unit. If your filters are clean and air is able to flow freely through your system, the issue will require the attention of a professional cooling and heating professional.

Assessing and fixing your air condoning problems quickly and accurately is essential during the sweltering summer Long Island months. The dedicated staff at Dole Fuel Oil understands that responding to your needs in a timely manner is of the utmost importance. Call us at (631) 673-6182 to schedule your routine air conditioning maintenance.