Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of causes why your AC unit won’t cool: a blown circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioning won’t run when you have an overloaded breaker.
To determine if one has blown, locate your house’s main electrical panel. You can spot this metallic fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker marked “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s overloaded, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily transfer the switch back to the “on” position. If it instantaneously triggers again, don’t touch it and contact us at 979-323-6130. A switch that keeps turning off may signal your home has electrical trouble.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your air conditioner to work, it won’t activate.
The key step is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not start running. You may also get hot air blowing from vents being the heater is on instead.
If you’re using a regular thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the readout is clear. If the screen is displaying garbled characters, replace the thermostat.
- Ensure the right mode is showing. If you can’t change it, cancel it by lowering the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if the configuration is wrong.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is set the same as the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is set properly, you should begin getting chilled air quickly.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still having problems, call us at 979-323-6130 for support.
Shut-Off Switch
Your air conditioner typically has a power-cutting switch near its outside unit. This lever is commonly in a metal box hung on your home. If your AC has recently been repaired, the switch may have accidentally been turned off.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the additional liquid your equipment takes out of the air. This pan can be positioned either under or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or clogged drain, water can accumulate and trigger a safety control to stop your system.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the additional liquid with a special pan-cleaning capsule. You can purchase these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan involves a pump, look for the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you may need to replace the pump. Reach us at 979-323-6130 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your AC is running but not cooling, its airflow may be blocked. Or it could not have adequate refrigerant.
Clogged Airflow
Your equipment’s airflow can be reduced by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can create many troubles, like:
- Reduced airflow
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Inconsistent cooling
- Larger energy costs
- Causing your system to wear out faster
We propose changing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced your filter, switch off your AC totally and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be situated 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 need to get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your Cooling System
Weeds, grass and sticks can get in the way of your condensing equipment. This may limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and change your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your equipment running well again.
- Shut off power totally at the breaker or outdoor device.
- Get rid of yard debris around the air conditioner. Once you’ve removed larger debris within a two-foot radius, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to carefully remove dust from the unit’s fins. Distorted fins can also hurt efficiency.
- Use a hose nozzle to slowly clean the fins from inside the equipment. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When air conditioning equipment doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your residence.
Here are several indications that your unit is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to refresh your space and you’re constantly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Cooling coming through the registers isn’t as chilly as it should be.
- You’re noticing hissing or gurgling racket when the AC is on.
- Your evaporator coil is frosted on account of having an issue absorbing humidity.
Think your unit is leaking refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service expert to fix the leak and replenish the right amount of refrigerant in your unit. Contact us at 979-323-6130 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not receiving ample amounts of cold air, there’s probably a blockage or separation somewhere in your cooling unit.
- The beginning step is examining your air filter. Get a new one if it’s filthy.
- Make sure the registers are open throughout your rooms.
- If you’re still not receiving enough cold air, you should have your duct system checked by a pro like Faust Air Conditioning and Heating. Your ductwork may need to be repaired or relinked in hard-to-reach spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.