Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several explanations why your AC equipment won’t work: a blown circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t start when you have an overloaded breaker.
To check if one has blown, locate your home’s main electrical panel. You can find this gray device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Confirm your hands and feet aren’t wet before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker identified “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” location. If it’s overloaded, the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” spot.
- Firmly transfer the switch back to the “on” spot. If it instantly triggers again, leave it alone and reach us at 254-355-3833. A breaker that keeps flipping might mean your house has an electrical problem.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your system to run, it won’t switch on.
The main step is making sure it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not turn on. Or you might get heated air blowing from vents being the heater is going instead.
If you have a traditional thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the monitor is displaying garbled numbers, replace the thermostat.
- Make sure the right mode is on the display. If you can’t alter it, reverse it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if programming is incorrect.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees cooler 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 adjusted correctly, you should start getting cool air fast.
If you’re using a smart thermostat, like one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, call us at 254-355-3833 for assistance.
Shut-Off Switch
Your AC probably has a shut-down switch around its outside unit. This device is generally in a metal box mounted on your home. If your equipment has recently been maintained, the switch may have unintentionally been positioned in the “off” location.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans hold the surplus water your AC takes out of the air. This pan can be found either beneath or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can accumulate and trigger a safety feature to switch off your equipment.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the additional condensation with a custom pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware retailer.
If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you might have to get a new pump. Contact us at 254-355-3833 for help.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your AC is running but not cooling, its airflow might be obstructed. Or it may not have sufficient refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be limited by a clogged air filter or dirty condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can create many problems, including:
- Lower airflow
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Larger cooling expenses
- Making your system wear out sooner
We suggest changing flat filters every four weeks, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced yours, switch off your AC completely and remove the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be situated in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to the light. If you see a lot of dust, you should buy a new filter.
5 Steps to Cleaning Your AC System
Weeds, vegetation and bushes can get in the way of your condensing system. This can reduce its airflow, make it less energy efficient and impact your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your equipment running smoothly again.
- Turn off electricity fully at the breaker or outdoor lever.
- Clear vegetation rubbish around the air conditioner. Once you’ve cleared all the refuse within a two-foot range, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to slowly remove dirt from the unit’s fins. Deformed fins can also impact efficiency, so you can attempt to reshape them with a small knife.
- Remove the top of your unit and take out any leaves or grass clippings that has accumulated. Then clean the condenser fan with a damp rag.
- Use a hose nozzle to slowly remove gunk off the fins from inside the equipment. Make sure to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
- Install the top again and restore the power.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When cooling systems don’t have enough refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your house.
Here are several signs that your system is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes too long to refresh your residence and you’re regularly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Air conditioning moving through the vents isn’t as chilly as it should be.
- You’re hearing fizzing or burbling sounds when the AC works.
- Your evaporator coil is frosty because it’s having trouble absorbing heat.
Suspect your unit is seeping refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service specialist to fix the leak and refill the right level of refrigerant in your equipment. Reach us at 254-355-3833 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not having ample amounts of cold air, there’s potentially a blockage or detachment within your AC system.
- The initial place is looking at your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s dirty.
- Then check the ductwork is open around your residence.
- If you’re still not receiving enough cold air, you should have your ductwork checked by a expert like J & J Air Conditioning. Your ductwork could need to be serviced or relinked in tricky spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.