Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several explanations why your AC equipment won’t work: a triggered circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
Your cooling won’t run when you have an overloaded breaker.
To check if one has tripped, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this silver box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” position. If it’s triggered, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Quickly transfer the switch back to the “on” location. If it instantly trips again, leave it alone and contact us at 770-450-1539. A breaker that keeps turning off could indicate your residence has an electrical problem.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your air conditioner to work, it won’t turn on.
The first point is ensuring it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not turn on. You could also receive heated air moving from vents since the heater is running instead.
If you’re using a regular thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the readout is empty. If the monitor is showing jumbled characters, buy a new thermostat.
- Check the proper option 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 scheduling is not right.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is identical to the house’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is set properly, you should receive cool air promptly.
If you’re using a smart thermostat, such as one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you’re still having problems, reach us at 770-450-1539 for support.
Shut-Down Switch
Your air conditioner usually has a power-cutting lever near its outdoor unit. This switch is typically in a metal box mounted on your house. If your air conditioner has recently been maintained, the device may have inadvertently been turned off.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the extra condensation your AC pulls from the air. This pan can be found either beneath or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or backed up drain, water can accumulate and trigger a safety feature to turn off your equipment.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus liquid with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can get these tabs at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you could need to get a new pump. Call us at 770-450-1539 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is going but not delivering cold air, its airflow may be congested. Or it may not have enough refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be reduced by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can create countless troubles, such as:
- Reduced comfort
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Intermittent cooling
- Bigger energy costs
- Making your system wear out more quickly
We propose replacing flat filters every four weeks, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t recall when you last replaced your filter, shut off your system completely and remove 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 holder or wall-mounted return air grille.
Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see any light, you should buy a new filter.
4 Steps to Cleaning Your Air Conditioning System
Greenery, grass and bushes can get in the way of your condensing system. This could reduce its airflow, make it less energy efficient and affect your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit operating properly again.
- Turn off electricity totally at the breaker or outside lever.
- Remove yard rubbish around the AC. Once you’ve cleared all the refuse within a two-foot radius, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the equipment’s fins. Kinked fins can also hurt efficiency.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully clean the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
- Turn the power back on.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When AC systems don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from your house.
Here are a few symptoms that your system is leaking refrigerant:
- It takes too long to lower the temperature in your space and you’re constantly turning down 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 icy as a result of having an issue handling warmth.
Think your system is seeping refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service expert to take care of the leak and refill the proper level of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at 770-450-1539 for help.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not getting ample amounts of cool air, there’s usually a blockage or disconnection inside your air conditioning system.
- The beginning stage is checking your air filter. Get a new one if it’s filthy.
- Make sure the vents are open throughout your house.
- If you’re still not experiencing enough chilly air, you should have your ducts inspected by a professional like ACS Heating and Air Conditioning. Your duct system might need to be repaired or reconnected in tricky locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.