If you own a small air conditioner, it is important to know and understand that you will be required to perform regular maintenance on the device. In order to optimize the life of the unit, it is also advised that you know how to troubleshoot and repair certain components of the air conditioner. In this how to repair guide, you will be introduced to the steps required to conduct testing on the thermostat that the unit contains. You will also discover the steps to replacing a thermostat on a small air conditioner.

1.      The first step to testing and replacing a thermostat when it comes to a small air conditioner is to gather a few supplies. First, it is appropriate to have a meter that gauges volts of electricity. This is often referred to as a “Volt-Ohmmeter”. Then, you will need a screwdriver. If you feel that you may need to replace the thermostat on the small air conditioner, you should have this on hand as well.

2.      Once you have all the tools that you will need, you should work to remove the control panel as well as the grille from the unit. Once these components are removed, you will see a small bulb like structure. This is called the “Sensing Bulb” and it typically attached directly on the thermostat. If you see that the structure meshes into the coils on the small air conditioner, then you know that you are looking at the thermostat.

3.      Now, you will want to carefully remove this structure from the small air conditioner. Be sure to mark exactly where you removed it from so that it may be reattached appropriately. Once the structure has been removed, you may move on to step four.

4.      Now, get the meter that you have to test the electrical output of the thermostat and place it on the probe that is sticking out on the thermostat. If you get a reading that is a number past that of zero, then you will know that the piece has to be replaced. If you get a reading of exactly zero, the thermostat is functional and may be placed back on the small air conditioner.

5.      If you find that the thermostat must be replaced, simply slide the old unit out and slip on the new unit. Remember, it is absolutely essential to place the sensing bulb back in the exact area of the coils in which it was removed. If it is placed in another area, it may not function appropriately.

6.      Now you should take the grille that you originally removed and place it back over the coil area of the small air conditioner. Be sure that it is placed on tightly. If it is not, debris may enter into the coil system or the coils may become damaged and this will reduce the functional output of the unit.

7.      Now, it is time to put the control panel back on the front of the air conditioner. Once you have done this, plug the system in and test it to ensure that it is functioning properly.

If you follow these steps, you will discover that it is relatively simple to test and replace a thermostat on a small air conditioner.