Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Delray Beach, Florida, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like Kilbourne Heating & AC.

Our experts are standing by at 561-287-7071 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be a few reasons why your air conditioning system won’t cool: a triggered circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.

Overloaded Circuit Breaker

Your AC won’t run when you have a tripped breaker.

To see if one has blown, go to your residence’s main electrical panel. You can locate this gray fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet are dry before you work on the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker marked “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded the lever will be in the middle or “off” spot.
  • Steadily transfer the lever back to the “on” position. If it instantly flips again, don’t reset it and contact us at 561-287-7071. A breaker that keeps flipping could signal your residence has an electrical problem.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your system to start, it won’t switch on.

The first part is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not turn on. Or you may have. heated air blowing from vents since the furnace is going instead.

If you have a digital thermostat:

  • Swap out the batteries if the readout is empty. If the screen is showing jumbled letters, replace the thermostat.
  • Make sure the right setting is on the display. If you can’t alter it, reverse it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if scheduling is incorrect.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is set the same as the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted correctly, you should begin getting cool air fast.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, including ones manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, call us at 561-287-7071 for help.

Shut-Down Switch

Your cooling equipment usually has a shut-down lever near its outdoor unit. This device is commonly in a metal box attached to your residence. If your unit has recently been serviced, the lever may have inadvertently been left in the “off” location.

Clogged Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans keep the extra liquid your system pulls from the air. This pan can be found either under or in your furnace or air handler.

When there’s an obstruction or clogged drain, water can accumulate and prompt a safety setting to stop your equipment.

If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra liquid with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can buy these capsules at a home improvement or hardware store.

If your pan has a pump, look for the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you may need to replace the pump. Reach us at 561-287-7071 for assistance.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your AC is working but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be congested. Or it may not have sufficient refrigerant.

Blocked Airflow

Your equipment’s airflow can be decreased by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Replace Your Air Filter

A dirty filter can cause a lot of problems, like:

  • Lower airflow
  • Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Larger electricity costs
  • Making your system stop working faster

We suggest changing flat filters monthly, and accordion filters every three months.

If you can’t remember when you last installed a new one, switch off your system totally and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be situated in a connected filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.

Hold the filter up to the light. If you can’t see any light you should get a new one.

How to Clean Your AC Unit

Weeds, vegetation and bushes can block your condensing system. This can limit its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s how you can get your system working smoothly again.

  1. Switch off the electrical current totally at the breaker or external switch.
  2. Clear greenery waste around the AC. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the clutter within a two-foot range, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to carefully remove dust from the condenser fins. Warped fins can also affect performance, so you can attempt to reshape them with a small knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully clean the fins from inside the unit. Make sure to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
  4. Put the top back on and restore the power.

Low Refrigerant Levels

When cooling systems don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your residence.

Here are several indications that your system is losing refrigerant:

  1. It takes a long time to refresh your rooms and you’re constantly turning down the thermostat.
  2. Air blowing through the ducts isn’t as chilly as it should be.
  3. You’re hearing whistling or bubbling noises when cooling runs.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frozen as a result of having trouble absorbing heat.

Suspect your system is losing refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service specialist to take care of the leak and replenish the right level of refrigerant in your unit. Reach us at 561-287-7071 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it feels like you’re not receiving enough cool air, there’s probably a clog or detachment somewhere in your AC system.

  • The initial step is looking at your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s dusty.
  • Then ensure the ductwork is free throughout your residence.
  • If you’re still not receiving enough chilled air, you should have your ducts checked by a specialist like Kilbourne Heating & AC. Your ductwork might need to be fixed or rejoined in tricky locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Pro Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, contact the HVAC repair experts at Kilbourne Heating & AC at 561-287-7071. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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