The first Christmas after a divorce is hard on everyone involved. The holiday season can be rough at the best of times, but when you’re a recent divorcee it can seem like celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas day is a waste of time.
You feel like it’s time to start new traditions so you head to a warmer climate, wake up on Christmas Eve happy to be somewhere else, and your air conditioner goes on the fritz. That would be fine if you weren’t in a warmer climate and had people coming over on Christmas Day. Read on below for the most common reasons your air conditioning isn’t working, so you can celebrate your first Christmas as a single person in the coolness of your new home.
1. Flipped Switch
One of the most common reasons for an air conditioner to stop working is because the switch has been flipped off. According to what model your unit is, the offending switch could be in a number of places, and there could be a couple of “off” switches to check. If someone in your home accidentally flipped one of these switches, then the unit is not going to work until it’s flipped back to the “on” position.
2. Clogged Filter
It’s super easy to forget to change out the HVAC filters in your unit, and before you know it the filter is clogged and the unit is either blowing warm air or not coming on at all. Since the filter works by collecting the dust, debris, and other things flying through your home, it can easily become clogged. You need to make sure that you change the filter at least once a month to stop this from happening. If you check the filter and it isn’t clogged, then it might be time to call in an HVAC professional to take a look at the AC and tell you what the issue is.
3. Lack of Maintenance
The most common reason for an air conditioning system to stop working is because of a lack of maintenance. Like any system or appliance out there, your heating and cooling systems need to be taken care of properly in order to keep working. Drain lines, condenser coils, and filters can easily become clogged when the system isn’t taken care of the way it should be.
You can prevent this by having a reputable HVAC company come out every season to inspect and repair anything that is wrong with the unit. That way you won’t be stuck on another Christmas Eve in a hot climate without AC to cool you.
4. Malfunctioning Thermostat
If your air conditioner fails to kick on at all, start by checking out the thermostat. You never know when the batteries could be running low or a fuse could have blown. Check the thermostat by setting it to a lower temperature and see if it kicks on. If it doesn’t then check the batteries and the breaker box to see if perhaps a fuse has blown. If it is your thermostat, now would be the perfect time to invest in a smart thermostat so you can save on the electric bills that are sure to be coming your way soon. A recent storm could be the reason for a blown fuse so check carefully before rushing out to purchase a new one.
These are just a few of the most common reasons your air conditioning might be on the fritz on your first Christmas alone. Things will get better with a fixed AC unit and a few holiday parties under your belt. You’ll soon be having a great Christmas as a newly single person.
