Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few causes why your AC unit won’t cool: a tripped circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioner won’t run when you have an overloaded breaker.
To check if one has gotten overloaded, find your home’s main electrical panel. You can find this metallic device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker identified “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” location. If it’s tripped, the breaker will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily move the lever back to the “on” location. If it instantly triggers again, don’t touch it and get in touch with us at 715-301-0256. A fuse that keeps turning off could mean your home has an electrical problem.
Inaccurate Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your system to run, it won’t turn on.
The main point is making sure it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning might not turn on. You might also get warm air blowing from vents being the furnace is running instead.
If you have a regular thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the readout is empty. If the monitor is showing garbled characters, get a new thermostat.
- Ensure the correct mode is displaying. If you can’t update it, cancel it by lowering the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is not right.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is identical to the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated correctly, you should receive cold air fast.
If you have a smart thermostat, like one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If it still won’t work, contact us at 715-301-0256 for assistance.
Shut-Down Switch
Your system probably has a power-cutting device near its outdoor unit. This switch is generally in a metal box attached to your home. If your unit has recently been fixed, the switch may have accidentally been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans hold the extra liquid your air conditioner takes out of the air. This pan can be situated either under 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 turn off your unit.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra condensation with a formulated pan-cleaning capsule. You can buy these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.
If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you might have to replace the pump. Call us at 715-301-0256 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your equipment is going but not providing cold air, its airflow could be obstructed. Or it could not have adequate refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be reduced by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Replace Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can cause countless troubles, such as:
- Lower comfort
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Intermittent cooling
- Bigger utility costs
- Leading your system to break down more quickly
We suggest replacing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t recall when you last replaced your filter, shut off your system fully and remove the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be located in an attached filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust, you should replace it.
How to Clean Your Cooling Equipment
Weeds, plants and sticks can block your condensing system. This may restrict its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit running properly again.
- Shut off power totally at the breaker or external lever.
- Get rid of plant debris around the air conditioner. Once you’ve removed all the refuse within a two-foot radius, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the condenser fins. Kinked fins can also impact effectiveness.
- Use a hose nozzle to slowly remove gunk off the fins from inside the equipment. Don’t get water on the fan motor.
- Turn the power back on.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When air conditioning units don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your rooms.
Here are several signs that your system is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes too long to refresh your space and you’re regularly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Air conditioning coming through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re noticing fizzing or bubbling sounds when the AC runs.
- Your evaporator coil is iced over as a result of having an issue absorbing heat.
Think your equipment is leaking refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service expert to take care of the leak and restore the correct level of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at 715-301-0256 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not receiving ample amounts of cold air, there’s possibly an obstruction or separation within your AC equipment.
- The beginning place is looking at your air filter. Replace it if it’s dirty.
- Make sure the ductwork is open across your rooms.
- If you’re still not receiving enough cold air, you should have your ducts inspected by a professional like Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc. Your duct system could need to be repaired or reconnected in limited space areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.