Have you ever had that moment of fear where you know something isn’t right with your air conditioner, but you’re almost too scared to find out? Is that service call going to cause inconvenience or about to cost money?
6 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Working
These steps can help you determine the problem and whether it’s something you can fix or something you need a professional to handle. Some areas to check:
Thermostat
Sometimes the only problem with your AC is that it isn’t receiving a signal from your thermostat! Check your thermostat—if the display doesn’t light up, change the batteries. While you’re at the thermostat, verify the system is set to ‘cool’ and not just running your fan.
Air Filter
The airflow to your AC or heating unit is critical, which is why air filters should be changed regularly. If they’re not changed regularly, the restriction of air can cause high energy bills and malfunctions.
Circuit Breaker
Check the circuit breaker (AKA fuse box) in the breaker box. You may have to reset a tripped breaker.
Keep in mind that circuit breakers trip for safety reasons, and if the breaker trips again, an electrician should look into the problem. Often, the breaker isn’t the problem; it’s something in the wiring pulling more electricity than it should.
Outdoor Unit Cover and Clearance
A cover and closely packed debris or vegetation can cause airflow issues. Your air conditioner needs room to breathe. Keep 2 to 3 ft of clearance on all sides of the condenser to ensure optimal performance.
Outdoor Disconnect Switch
There should be a disconnect switch at the outdoor unit. Make sure it is plugged in or flipped on.
Be very careful with this step: This switch controls the 240 volts of electricity to the outdoor AC unit, and it can be hazardous.
Drain Line
Many air conditioners have a water safety switch to stop them from operating if water could leak into your home and ruin ceilings and floors. If you see water in a pan under the unit, your drain could be clogged. Empty the pan and flush out the drain line, and the unit may start operating again.
Call A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical for Professional HVAC Repairs
No air conditioning on the hottest of days can ignite discomfort in homeowners, but try to keep your cool. Emergency air conditioner repairs can be performed quickly to restore your indoor comfort. Contact our air conditioning experts at (503) 694-3396 for emergency service!