Air Conditioning Repair in Lexington, North Carolina

Man explaining AC options to a couple

How to Repair 3 Frequent Issues

Pinpointing the problem and finishing your own AC repair in Lexington, NC, can appear difficult. It doesn’t have to be like that.

There are a couple of easy adjustments you can do by yourself that could help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, use this diagnostic list before reaching out to a heating and cooling repair specialist like James Heating & A/C, Inc.

Our experts are standing by at 336-853-6070 when you are looking for professional service. We have air conditioning repair and work on most models of central air conditioners.

CALL TODAY 336-853-6070

If you want to get a modern air conditioning system, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re talking with us, ask about an annual AC maintenance plan that might help you avoid future problems. We can advise how often you should have air conditioner service.

Prepared to begin diagnosing your equipment? Try our simple manual below. Many of these procedures don’t need any HVAC expertise.

 

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.

breaker icon
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.

incorrect thermostat icon 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.


switch icon 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 drain pan icon

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.

airflow icon

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.

clean AC icon

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.

  1. Shut off power completely at the breaker or external lever.
  2. 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.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to gingerly remove gunk off the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get moisture on the fan motor.
  4. Turn on the power.
refrigerant icon

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:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to cool your home and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
  2. Cooling moving through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
  3. You’re hearing fizzing or burbling sounds when the air conditioning runs.
  4. 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.

AC not blowing icon

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.

Request Professional Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, call the HVAC repair pros at James Heating & A/C, Inc at 336-853-6070. We’ll quickly pinpoint the trouble when your air conditioner won’t work or deliver sufficient chilled air.

CALL TODAY 336-853-6070

Request Service