Air conditioner broke down in summer: what to do on the coast

At the height of the season on the coast, an air conditioner is a necessity, not a luxury. When it stops cooling at +35°C, you need a repair fast. Here's what to check yourself and when to call a specialist.

Common causes of breakdowns

Not cooling, blowing warm air — usually low refrigerant (needs a recharge) or a dirty filter.
Water leaking from the indoor unit — a blocked drain or a misaligned drain hose.
Loud noise, vibration — dirt or a worn fan.
Won't turn on — power, remote, control board.
Bad smell — time for a clean; bacteria have built up in the evaporator.

What you can check yourself

The filters. Open the front cover of the indoor unit and rinse the mesh filters — this fixes a good share of weak-cooling problems.
Mode and temperature. Make sure cooling mode (snowflake) is selected, not fan.
The outdoor unit. Check it isn't buried in leaves or sitting in direct sun without ventilation.

If there's still no cold air after cleaning the filters, you need a specialist with recharging equipment.

Why you shouldn't delay

Running on the "last of the refrigerant" and in dirt accelerates wear on the compressor — the most expensive part. A clean and recharge at the start of the season is cheaper than replacing the compressor in August.

Cost and how to find a specialist

The price depends on the type of work: cleaning, recharge, part replacement or installing a new unit. The exact figure is quoted after you describe the problem.

Describe what's happening with your AC, attach photos of the units — and get offers from repair specialists with prices. In season, speed matters, so it's handy to compare who can come sooner.