Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several causes why your air conditioning won’t run: an overloaded circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Overloaded Circuit Breaker
Your AC won’t turn on when you have a blown breaker.
To find out if one has blown, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can find this gray fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you check the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker marked “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s triggered, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily shift the switch back to the “on” position. If it instantly trips again, leave it alone and get in touch with us at 925-233-6238. A fuse that keeps turning off could signal your house has an electrical issue.
Inaccurate Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your system to start, it won’t turn on.
The main point is ensuring it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC may not start running. You may also have heated air blowing from vents because the heat is on instead.
If you’re using a digital thermostat:
- Put in new batteries if the readout is clear. If the monitor is presenting jumbled letters, get a new thermostat.
- Ensure the right setting is displaying. If you can’t alter it, override it by lowering the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is incorrect.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is set the same as the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should begin getting cool air fast.
If you have a smart thermostat, including ones manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 925-233-6238 for support.
Shut-Down Switch
Your cooling equipment probably has a power-cutting device by its outside unit. This lever is commonly in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your unit has recently been tuned up, the switch may have inadvertently been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the extra liquid your equipment takes out of the air. This pan can be positioned either beneath or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and prompt a safety setting to stop your equipment.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the extra liquid with a custom pan-cleaning capsule. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you could need to get a new pump. Contact us at 925-233-6238 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your air conditioner is working but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be obstructed. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be limited by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can create a lot of issues, such as:
- Reduced cooling
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Inconsistent cooling
- Increased utility expenses
- Leading your system to wear out sooner
We propose replacing flat filters every four weeks, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced your filter, turn off your system fully and take out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be found in a connected filter holder 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.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your Cooling Unit
Greenery, grass and leaves can block your condensing equipment. This could reduce its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your equipment running well again.
- Switch off electricity fully at the breaker or outside device.
- Clear vegetation debris around the unit. Once you’ve gotten rid of bigger refuse within a two-foot area, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to slowly clean the condenser fins. Crooked fins can also impact performance.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly take off dirt on the fins from inside the unit. Make sure to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
- Turn the power back on.
Leaking Refrigerant
When cooling systems don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your house.
Here are a couple of indications that your system is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes too long to cool your home and you’re continually decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Cooling moving through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re experiencing whistling or burbling noises when the air conditioning works.
- Your evaporator coil is frosty as a result of having an issue absorbing heat.
Worried your equipment is losing refrigerant? You need a qualified heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and restore the right measurement of refrigerant in your system. Reach us at 925-233-6238 for assistance.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not receiving adequate amounts of cool air, there’s likely an obstruction or separation somewhere in your AC system.
- The beginning step is checking your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dusty.
- Make sure the vents are open across your home.
- If you’re still not getting sufficient cold air, you should have your duct system examined by a professional like Clean Air HVAC. Your ducts might need to be fixed or hooked up again in hard-to-reach locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.