Know how to fix a Friedrich Airconditioner?

Question

Hi, I have 2 Friedrich Quietmaster programmable air conditioners and they both developed the same problem. They power up but they do not blow air. The compressor doesn't kick in, nor does the fan. They both light up, the temperature appears and the lights come on the various buttons that I select. But no cold air.

Does this sound like an easy repair? Are air conditioner repairs expensive? Should I just go to Costco and get two new ones with lifetime return policy instead of paying for a repairman?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Window units are designed to be used until they break, tossed and replaced. Labor is more expensive than a new unit. These PTACs are difficult to fix, service techs don't want to waste time on them.
If you have some technical knowledge, test equipment and time, you might be able to figure out why the unit is not operating properly.
I don't know if you will ever find a lifetime warranty on a PTAC. If you do, it may cost quite a bit.

Answer 2

You will hear from experts, but here's my experience. If you have a cat or maybe even a dog, you're likely smelling damp fur, especially if you have ever run it without the filter. Unplug it, remove the filter and wipe the fan as clean as you can with a sponge and household cleaner. If the source is bacterial, Lysol spray will kill the bacteria and work much better than air freshener. It wouldn't hurt to spray Lysol after the sponge cleaning. If you see any evidence of mold, or if the smell is moldy, throw the thing out. It would be cheaper to buy a new one (around $100 for a small room) than to pay for proper cleaning and repair. I had to do this once. Better than breathing mold. Good luck. I know it can be frustrating.

Answer 3

It depends, how old are units? It sounds like control board problems ,but its hard to say without more info. Weigh the cost of new against a service call to know for sure. best wishes!