Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of explanations why your air conditioning system won’t run: a tripped circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioning won’t run when you have a tripped breaker.
To check if one has blown, go to your home’s main electrical panel. You can find this silver device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker identified “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s triggered, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Quickly move the lever back to the “on” spot. If it instantly flips again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 740-474-5940. A switch that keeps tripping could indicate your house has an electrical issue.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your system to work, it won’t turn on.
The first point is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC might not start running. You may also have heated air moving from vents since the furnace is running instead.
If you’re using a traditional thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the readout is presenting garbled characters, replace the thermostat.
- Make sure the proper setting is on the display. If you can’t alter it, cancel it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if scheduling is incorrect.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is set the same as the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated correctly, you should begin getting chilled air fast.
If you have a smart thermostat, like one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, reach us at 740-474-5940 for help.
Turn-Off Switch
Your system typically has a power-cutting lever around its outside unit. This device is commonly in a metal box mounted on your house. If your air conditioner has recently been maintained, the device may have accidentally been turned off.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the surplus water your air conditioner removes from the air. This pan can be situated either below or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can build up and prompt a safety feature to stop your equipment.
If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the surplus condensation with a formulated pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.
If your pan includes a pump, find the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you might have to get a new pump. Contact us at 740-474-5940 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is going but not delivering cold air, its airflow may be congested. Or it could not have enough refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be decreased by a blocked air filter or dusty condenser.
How to Replace Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can create many issues, like:
- Lower airflow
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Larger electricity costs
- Making your system break down sooner
We recommend changing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t recall when you last replaced your filter, switch off your equipment fully and take out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be found in a connected filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to the light. If you see a lot of dust, you need to replace it.
How to Clean Your Air Conditioning System
Greenery, grass and leaves can obstruct your condensing unit. This can limit its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit operating properly again.
- Switch off power totally at the breaker or external lever.
- Clear plant debris around the AC. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the refuse within a two-foot range, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dirt from the unit’s fins. Distorted fins can also hurt effectiveness.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly clean the fins from inside the equipment. Be careful to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
- Turn the power back on.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When AC equipment doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your space.
Here are a couple of flags that your unit is losing refrigerant:
- It takes too long to lower the temperature in your house and you’re regularly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Air conditioning moving through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re hearing fizzing or gurgling racket when the air conditioning works.
- Your evaporator coil is iced over on account of having trouble taking on humidity.
Worried your equipment is losing refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service expert to take care of the leak and restore the proper measurement of refrigerant in your system. Reach us at 740-474-5940 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not having enough cold air, there’s probably a blockage or separation within your AC system.
- The first stage is looking at your air filter. Replace it if it’s filthy.
- Make sure the registers are open throughout your house.
- If you’re still not receiving ample chilled air, you should have your ductwork inspected by a expert like Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling, Inc. Your ducts may need to be repaired or reconnected in difficult spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.