In the heat of summer, having a properly functioning AC unit can feel like a gift from heaven. Depending on where you live in the US, you may have experienced a few unusually hot summers. The thought of taking on such weather without a properly functioning AC can't be appealing to most people.

However, if you have an AC unit in your house, you should also expect a few problems down the road. Electrical component malfunctions are among the most common issues that affect AC units. How should you handle these?

Unplug the System First

Before you attempt any diagnosis or repairs on the system, your first step should be to unplug the AC unit. Working on an AC unit when it's still connected to the power can be extremely dangerous. It's not always possible to assess the extent of the issue. The malfunction may have turned an otherwise safe component into an electrical hazard. With the AC unplugged, you'll be able to perform the diagnosis or repairs safely.

Find the Root of the Problem

When your AC doesn't turn on, a blown fuse is one of the possible issues. While replacing the fuse seems like the way to go, it may be important to also figure out what caused the fuse to blow out in the first place. It's possible that some other issue caused the AC unit to draw too much power. Replacing the fuse won't fix this. Try and identify the main problem rather than fixing the most obvious issue.

Avoid Using the AC Unit

Malfunctioning doesn't always mean 'not functioning'. This means that the AC unit may still be working despite having a malfunctioning electrical component. It's tempting to continue using the AC if it's still running. However, you should consider that doing this could lead to other components getting damaged. This will increase your repair bill.

Know When to Give Up

Unless you're an experienced AC technician, there's a chance that certain AC problems will be beyond your abilities to fix. Electrical component malfunctions can be especially challenging since these systems can be quite complicated. If it gets to the point where you have little idea of what you're doing, leave it to the experts.

When choosing a residential air conditioning repair technician, be sure to choose someone with experience working on the specific type of AC you have. Some units will require special tools and training to work on.