Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few causes why your air conditioning system won’t run: a triggered circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t work when you have an overloaded breaker.
To find out if one has blown, locate your home’s main electrical panel. You can locate this metallic fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Confirm your hands and feet are dry before you check the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker identified “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded, the breaker will be in the middle of the panel or “off” location.
- Firmly transfer the lever back to the “on” position. If it instantaneously trips again, don’t touch it and get in touch with us at 641-812-2028. A switch that keeps tripping could signal your house has an electrical problem.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your system to start, it won’t switch on.
The most important part is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not turn on. Or you may receive hot air blowing from vents because the heat is on instead.
If you have a traditional thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the readout is clear. If the readout is displaying jumbled numbers, get a new thermostat.
- Make sure the correct option is displaying. If you can’t alter it, cancel it by dropping the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is incorrect.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is set the same as the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is adjusted properly, you should begin getting cold air promptly.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, including ones produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still having problems, contact us at 641-812-2028 for assistance.
Turn-Off Switch
Your AC probably has a shut-off lever by its outdoor unit. This device is generally in a metal box hung on your home. If your AC has recently been serviced, the lever may have unintentionally been put in the “off” location.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the extra liquid your equipment pulls from the air. This pan can be situated either beneath or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a clog or blocked drain, water can become concentrated and trigger a safety setting to switch off your system.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra water with a custom pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these tablets 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 water in the pan, you may need to replace the pump. Call us at 641-812-2028 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your equipment is going but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be obstructed. Or it may not have adequate refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be restricted by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can cause many troubles, including:
- Limited cooling
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Inconsistent cooling
- Larger cooling expenses
- Leading your system to stop working more quickly
We recommend changing flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last installed a new one, shut off your AC 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.
Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust, you certainly should get a new one.
5 Tips on Cleaning Your AC Equipment
Brush, plants and leaves can get in the way of your condensing unit. This could limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and affect your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system running well again.
- Shut off the electrical current totally at the breaker or external device.
- Get rid of greenery waste around the equipment. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the refuse within a two-foot range, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to carefully remove dirt from the condenser fins. Deformed fins can also affect capability, so you can attempt to straighten them with a blunt knife.
- Lift off the upper grate of your AC and pull out any leaves or sticks that has collected. Then clean the condenser fan with a moist cloth.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly take off dirt on the fins from inside the equipment. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
- Replace the top and turn the power back on.
Not Enough Refrigerant
When AC units don’t have enough refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from the air.
Here are several signs that your system is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes a long time to lower the temperature in your rooms and you’re constantly turning down the thermostat.
- Cooling coming through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re hearing whistling or bubbling sounds when cooling runs.
- Your evaporator coil is frosty as a result of having difficulty taking on heat.
Worried your unit is seeping refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service specialist to take care of the leak and refill the proper level of refrigerant in your system. Reach us at 641-812-2028 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not getting adequate amounts of cold air, there’s possibly a clog or disconnection somewhere in your AC equipment.
- The initial stage is checking your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s soiled.
- Then make sure the vents are open around your rooms.
- If you’re still not experiencing adequate cold air, you should have your duct system inspected by a pro like Kapaun & Brown Inc.. Your ducts may need to be repaired or hooked up again in tricky locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.