Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several reasons why your central AC system won’t start: an overloaded circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t turn on when you have an overloaded breaker.
To see if one has gotten overloaded, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can locate this silver device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet are dry before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s triggered, the breaker will be in the "off" position.
- Quickly shift the breaker back to the “on” position. If it immediately trips again, don’t reset it and contact us at 336-853-6070. A switch that keeps tripping may signal your house has an electrical issue.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your AC to work, it won’t activate.
The main point is making sure it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner may not start running. You may also get hot air coming from vents since the heat is running instead.
If you rely on a digital thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the monitor is showing jumbled characters, replace the thermostat.
- Make sure the right program is on the display. If you can’t update it, reverse it by lowering the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is wrong.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat matches the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated accurately, you should receive cold air promptly.
If you have a smart thermostat, including ones produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If it still won’t work, contact us at 336-853-6070 for assistance.
Shut-Off Switch
Your air conditioner typically has a shut-off device around its condenser. This switch is commonly in a metal box attached to your house. If your AC has recently been serviced, the switch may have inadvertently been turned off.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the additional liquid your system pulls from the air. This pan can be positioned either below or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or blocked drain, water can become concentrated and initiate a safety feature to switch off your unit.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the extra liquid with a formulated pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan includes a pump, find the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Contact us at 336-853-6070 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your air conditioner is running but not cooling, its airflow might be clogged. Or it may not have enough refrigerant.
Clogged Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be decreased by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can cause numerous troubles, such as:
- Reduced comfort
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Larger energy bills
- Making your system break down more quickly
We propose changing flat filters every four weeks, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, turn off your equipment completely and take out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be situated in an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Hold the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust, you certainly should get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your Air Conditioning System
Brush, vegetation and shrubbery can obstruct your condensing equipment. This may reduce its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system running well again.
- Shut off power completely at the breaker or external lever.
- Get rid of plant waste around the equipment. Once you’ve removed larger refuse within a two-foot area, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the unit’s fins. Bent fins can also hurt effectiveness.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly remove gunk off the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get moisture on the fan motor.
- Turn on the power.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When cooling systems don’t have enough refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from the air.
Here are a few symptoms that your unit is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to cool your home and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
- Cooling moving through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re hearing fizzing or burbling sounds when the air conditioning runs.
- Your evaporator coil is icy because it’s having difficulty handling humidity.
Suspect your system is losing refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and replenish the right measurement of refrigerant in your equipment. Contact us at 336-853-6070 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not having adequate amounts of chilled air, there’s probably a blockage or separation somewhere in your AC unit.
- The first place is checking your air filter. Replace it if it’s filthy.
- Make sure the vents are open throughout your house.
- If you’re still not receiving enough chilled air, you should have your duct system checked by a specialist like James Heating & A/C, Inc. Your duct system might need to be serviced or rejoined in hard-to-reach areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.