Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few explanations why your central AC system won’t work: a blown circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Overloaded Circuit Breaker
Your cooling won’t turn on when you have a tripped breaker.
To find out if one has gotten overloaded, locate your house’s main electrical panel. You can spot this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker identified “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s triggered, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily move the breaker back to the “on” location. If it instantly flips again, don’t touch it and reach us at 623-208-6444. A breaker that keeps tripping could indicate your house has an electrical issue.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your AC to start, it won’t switch on.
The first point is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning might not switch on. You may also get warm air moving from vents since the heater is going instead.
If you’re using a digital thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the screen is empty. If the readout is showing garbled characters, replace the thermostat.
- Ensure the proper setting is showing. If you can’t alter it, override it by dropping the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is not right.
- Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is set the same as the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should begin getting cold air quickly.
If you have a smart thermostat, like one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, call us at 623-208-6444 for assistance.
Shut-Down Switch
Your air conditioner typically has a power-cutting device by its condenser. This switch is commonly in a metal box mounted on your house. If your unit has recently been serviced, the switch may have inadvertently been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the additional water your air conditioner pulls from the air. This pan can be found either below or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or blocked drain, water can accumulate and trigger a safety setting to turn off your equipment.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the extra condensation with a formulated pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan involves a pump, locate the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you could need to install a new pump. Reach us at 623-208-6444 for help.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your equipment is running but not cooling, its airflow might be congested. Or it could not have enough refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a plugged air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can create many troubles, like:
- Limited cooling
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Bigger energy expenses
- Making your system stop working more quickly
We recommend installing new 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 AC totally and pull out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be located in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust, you should buy a new filter.
4 Steps to Cleaning Your Cooling System
Weeds, vegetation and sticks can get in the way of your condensing unit. This could limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s how you can get your system running well again.
- Switch off power fully at the breaker or outdoor switch.
- Clear plant debris around the AC. Once you’ve gotten rid of larger debris within a two-foot range, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the unit’s fins. Warped fins can also hurt capability.
- Use a hose nozzle to slowly clean the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get liquid on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When air conditioning systems don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your residence.
Here are a few flags that your equipment is leaking refrigerant:
- It takes too long to refresh your residence and you’re continually decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Air conditioning blowing through the ducts isn’t as chilly as it should be.
- You’re noticing fizzing or bubbling sounds when the AC runs.
- Your evaporator coil is frosted due to having an issue taking on heat.
Worried your system is losing refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service specialist to take care of the leak and refill the right level of refrigerant in your unit. Contact us at 623-208-6444 for help.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not having enough cold air, there’s potentially a clog or detachment somewhere in your AC unit.
- The beginning stage is looking at your air filter. Replace it if it’s soiled.
- Make sure the ductwork is open throughout your house.
- If you’re still not getting sufficient cold air, you should have your duct system checked by a expert like Cooler Tymes LLC. Your ducts could need to be serviced or rejoined in difficult locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.