Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioner won’t cool: a blown circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Overloaded Circuit Breaker
Your AC won’t work when you have an overloaded breaker.
To check if one has gotten overloaded, go to your home’s main electrical panel. You can find this gray device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s tripped, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Firmly move the breaker back to the “on” position. If it instantaneously flips again, don’t reset it and contact us at 478-202-3170. A switch that keeps turning off may mean your house has an electrical issue.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your air conditioner to work, it won’t activate.
The key point is ensuring it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC may not turn on. You may also have hot air moving from vents being the heat is going instead.
If you’re using a regular thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the screen is presenting jumbled numbers, get a new thermostat.
- Check the right option is displaying. If you can’t update it, override it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is wrong.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is identical to the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated accurately, you should begin getting cold air quickly.
If you’re using a smart thermostat, like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you’re still having problems, call us at 478-202-3170 for support.
Shut-Down Switch
Your AC typically has a shut-down switch near its condenser. This switch is typically in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your equipment has recently been worked on, the switch may have unintentionally been turned off.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the extra condensation your air conditioner removes from the air. This pan can be found either below or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and trigger a safety control to stop your equipment.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus water with a special pan-cleaning capsule. You can purchase these tabs at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan includes a pump, look for the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Reach us at 478-202-3170 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your equipment is working but not providing cold air, its airflow may be blocked. Or it could not have adequate refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your equipment’s airflow can be restricted by a plugged air filter or dirty condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A dirty filter can create a lot of troubles, such as:
- Reduced airflow
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Intermittent cooling
- Larger utility expenses
- Making your system stop working sooner
We recommend changing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, switch off your unit fully and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be located in a connected filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Hold the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see any light, you certainly should replace it.
How to Clean Your AC System
Brush, grass and leaves can get in the way of your condensing equipment. This can limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system working properly again.
- Turn off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outside lever.
- Clear yard debris around the equipment. Once you’ve gotten rid of bigger debris within a two-foot space, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dirt from the equipment’s fins. Distorted fins can also impact efficiency.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly remove gunk off the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get liquid on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When AC units don’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your home.
Here are a few signs that your unit is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes a long time to cool your rooms and you’re continually turning down the thermostat.
- Air conditioning moving through the ducts isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re noticing whistling or gurgling racket when the AC is on.
- Your evaporator coil is icy as a result of having an issue taking on warmth.
Worried your equipment is losing refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service specialist to take care of the leak and restore the right measurement of refrigerant in your unit. Contact us at 478-202-3170 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not receiving enough cold air, there’s potentially a blockage or separation somewhere in your AC unit.
- The initial stage is checking your air filter. Get a new one if it’s soiled.
- Make sure the registers are open across your residence.
- If you’re still not experiencing ample cold air, you should have your ductwork inspected by a expert like Air Temperature Control. Your ductwork may need to be fixed or reconnected in tricky locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.