Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several reasons why your AC equipment won’t run: an overloaded circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioner won’t work when you have a tripped breaker.
To see if one has gotten overloaded, locate your house’s main electrical panel. You can locate this silver device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker marked “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s tripped, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Quickly shift the switch back to the “on” location. If it instantaneously flips again, don’t reset it and contact us at 561-287-7071. A fuse that keeps flipping could indicate your house has an electrical issue.
Inaccurate Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your system to work, it won’t switch on.
The main point is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner might not switch on. You may also have warm air blowing from vents since the furnace is on instead.
If you have a regular thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the readout is showing scrambled characters, replace the thermostat.
- Make sure the right program is on the display. If you can’t update it, override it by decreasing the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if the configuration is incorrect.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat matches the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should begin getting cool air fast.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, like one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, reach us at 561-287-7071 for assistance.
Turn-Off Switch
Your system typically has a power-cutting device near its outside unit. This lever is typically in a metal box attached to your residence. If your unit has recently been serviced, the lever may have accidentally been turned off.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the extra liquid your AC takes out of the air. This pan can be situated either beneath or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or backed up drain, water can build up and prompt a safety feature to turn off your unit.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus liquid with a custom pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware retailer.
If your pan has a pump, look for the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you may need to get a new pump. Call us at 561-287-7071 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is going but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be congested. Or it may not have adequate refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be limited by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A dirty filter can cause a lot of issues, including:
- Limited cooling
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Increased cooling bills
- Leading your system to stop working faster
We suggest changing flat filters every four weeks, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, switch off your equipment completely and take out 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.
Hold the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust, you certainly should replace it.
How to Clean Your AC System
Greenery, grass and bushes can get in the way of your condensing system. This can restrict its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your equipment operating smoothly again.
- Switch off electricity totally at the breaker or external lever.
- Remove vegetation waste around the AC. Once you’ve cleared all the refuse within a two-foot space, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the unit’s fins. Bent fins can also affect capability.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully remove gunk off the fins from inside the unit. Be careful to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Leaking Refrigerant
When cooling units don’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from your rooms.
Here are several indications that your equipment is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes a long time to refresh your rooms and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
- Air conditioning moving through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re hearing fizzing or gurgling sounds when the AC works.
- Your evaporator coil is iced over as a result of having difficulty taking on humidity.
Think your system is leaking refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service professional to take care of the leak and restore the proper measurement of refrigerant in your system. Reach us at 561-287-7071 for assistance.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not having enough chilled air, there’s usually a blockage or separation somewhere in your AC system.
- The initial stage is examining your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dirty.
- Make sure the vents are open around your residence.
- If you’re still not experiencing enough chilled air, you should have your ducts checked by a expert like Kilbourne Heating & AC. Your duct system may need to be fixed or relinked in hard-to-reach locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.