Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few reasons why your central AC system won’t work: a blown circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a shut off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Overloaded Circuit Breaker
Your AC won’t work when you have an overloaded breaker.
To see if one has gotten overloaded, go to your residence’s main electrical panel. You can find this metallic device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Confirm your hands and feet are free of moisture before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s overloaded, the breaker will be in the "off" position.
- Firmly move the switch back to the “on” spot. If it instantaneously trips again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 703-260-1148. A switch that keeps turning off may signal your house has electrical trouble.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your system to run, it won’t turn on.
The most important point is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC might not start running. You might also have warm air moving from vents being the furnace is going instead.
If you rely on a digital thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the screen is clear. If the monitor is showing garbled numbers, replace the thermostat.
- Make sure the proper setting is on the display. If you can’t alter it, reverse it by decreasing the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if the configuration is not right.
- Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is set the same as the house’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should begin getting refreshing air fast.
If you’re using a smart thermostat, like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you’re still having problems, call us at 703-260-1148 for help.
Turn-Off Switch
Your system typically has a power-cutting device near its outdoor unit. This device is generally in a metal box hung on your home. If your air conditioner has recently been worked on, the switch may have accidentally been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the additional liquid your AC removes from the air. This pan is located either under or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a clog or clogged drain, water can build up and trigger a safety feature to stop your unit.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the additional water with a custom pan-cleaning capsule. You can buy these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan has a pump, look for the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you may need to install a new pump. Reach us at 703-260-1148 for help.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your AC is on but not delivering cold air, its airflow might be clogged. Or it may not have adequate refrigerant.
Clogged Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a blocked air filter or dirty condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can create many problems, like:
- Reduced airflow
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Inconsistent cooling
- Higher cooling costs
- Causing your system to break down faster
We propose changing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, shut off your equipment totally and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be found in a connected filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust, you certainly should buy a new filter.
4 Steps to Cleaning Your Air Conditioning System
Greenery, plants and shrubbery can get in the way of your condensing equipment. This can restrict its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your equipment operating properly again.
- Switch off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outside lever.
- Clear plant debris around the equipment. Once you’ve removed larger refuse within a two-foot area, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the unit’s fins. Crooked fins can also impact performance.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully take off dirt on the fins from inside the equipment. Be careful to avoid getting 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 rooms.
Here are a couple of symptoms that your unit is losing refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to cool your space and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
- Cooling moving through the registers isn’t as chilly as it should be.
- You’re hearing hissing or burbling sounds when the AC is on.
- Your evaporator coil is frosted as a result of having difficulty absorbing warmth.
Suspect your unit is losing refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service specialist to fix the leak and restore the right amount of refrigerant in your unit. Contact us at 703-260-1148 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not having enough chilled air, there’s possibly an obstruction or disconnection somewhere in your AC equipment.
- The initial stage is looking at your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dusty.
- Make sure the registers are open across your residence.
- If you’re still not receiving ample chilled air, you should have your duct system examined by a expert like Air-Right Energy Design, Inc.. Your ducts might need to be serviced or reconnected in hard-to-reach areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.