Surviving the Heat: My Journey to Fixing My A/C

In the past year, I noticed that my air conditioner made an odd noise. The grate sounded loose. At the time, I worked as a full-time caregiver. Due to my inability to work a regular job, my funds were depleted. Until I could service it, I prayed itwould last through the season.

As another year passed, the sun heated everything around it even more. Earth is experiencing increasing temperatures due to global warming, making summers in the South even worse. A ceiling fan is a must-have for living in the South, not only for comfort but also energy saver.

Unfortunately, my central air unit died. I was mortified and, more importantly, hot. Added to my misery, I also lacked a ceiling fan. Having been out of work for two years, it has been difficult to find a job, especially considering my age. Cooking in the heat made the walls sweat every day. Everything, including myself, was sticky.

Suddenly, I had a brilliant idea. I decided to purchase a ceiling fan and fix the air conditioner myself. Fixing things online is a vast world of knowledge. I had already installed a ceiling fan for my mother, so it was not my first time. However, the contractor who had previously done some work for me messed things up. Wires weren’t labeled and screws were missing. This turned my first attempt into a puddle of flesh and failure.

After that bust, I returned the ceiling fan and purchased an oscillating tower fan. Initially, it helped, but as the heat index rose, I lost my mind. I convinced myself that the A/C problem was the capacitor, which I could fix. However, despite my best efforts, I eventually contacted a professional to fix my air conditioner.

As it turned out, the capacitor was indeed making noise and stalling the motor. If I had fixed the issue last year, it would have cost me $50 instead of $250. The repair was charged to a credit card, but in the end, it was worth it for my sanity and peace of mind.

Sometimes, we need to endure discomfort and challenges to find a solution that works. While DIY fixes can be extremely helpful, knowing when to call in a professional can save time, money, and stress. For now, I'm grateful for cool air and a fan to keep the southern heat at bay.



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