why is my aircon not working

Ah, the classic aircon betrayal. Before you call the repair guy, check these usual suspects:

• Dirty or clogged filters choking airflow.
• Thermostat set to 'heat' instead of 'cool'—easy mistake.
• Tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse cutting power.
• Refrigerant leaks leading to poor cooling.
• Faulty compressor or fan motor, which are pricey to fix.

Sometimes it's just a dumb electrical fault, other times the system's gas has escaped to the great outdoors. For a proper diagnosis, consider a pro from ServiceCentral or check your unit's manual. In the meantime, try giving those filters a good clean and resetting breakers.