Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few causes why your AC equipment won’t run: a tripped circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioner won’t run when you have an overloaded breaker.
To see if one has blown, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can find this gray box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s triggered, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Quickly shift the lever back to the “on” position. If it instantaneously trips again, don’t touch it and call us at 928-263-8570. A breaker that keeps flipping may indicate your residence has an electrical problem.
Inaccurate Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your equipment to start, it won’t turn on.
The first step is checking it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC may not start running. You might also have hot air blowing from vents because the heat is going instead.
If you’re using a regular thermostat:
- Put in new batteries if the screen is blank. If the readout is displaying jumbled numbers, buy a new thermostat.
- Make sure the right option is displaying. If you can’t update it, override it by lowering the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if the configuration is not right.
- Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat matches the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated accurately, you should begin getting cool air promptly.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still having problems, contact us at 928-263-8570 for help.
Shut-Off Switch
Your system probably has a power-cutting switch near its outdoor unit. This lever is generally in a metal box hung on your house. If your air conditioner has recently been maintained, the lever may have unintentionally been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the extra liquid your air conditioner removes from the air. This pan can be found either beneath or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or backed up drain, water can build up and trigger a safety setting to stop your air conditioner.
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 get these capsules at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you may need to install a new pump. Call us at 928-263-8570 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your air conditioner is on but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be congested. Or it may not have sufficient refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be limited by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can cause a lot of troubles, such as:
- Reduced airflow
- Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Inconsistent cooling
- Higher utility bills
- Causing your system to wear out sooner
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 system completely and remove 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 the sunshine. If you see a lot of dust, you certainly should replace it.
How to Clean Your Cooling Equipment
Greenery, vegetation and shrubbery can obstruct your condensing unit. This can restrict its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit operating well again.
- Shut off electricity fully at the breaker or external device.
- Clear plant debris around the equipment. Once you’ve cleared all the clutter within a two-foot range, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to carefully remove dust from the unit’s fins. Kinked fins can also hurt effectiveness.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly remove gunk off the fins from inside the unit. Make sure to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Not Enough Refrigerant
When air conditioning systems don’t have adequate 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 losing refrigerant:
- It takes too long to cool your house and you’re constantly lowering the thermostat.
- Air blowing through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re experiencing hissing or burbling racket when the AC works.
- Your evaporator coil is iced over because it’s having difficulty taking on warmth.
Suspect your unit is losing refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service professional to repair the leak and replenish the proper amount of refrigerant in your system. Reach us at 928-263-8570 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not getting ample amounts of chilled air, there’s possibly a clog or separation within your AC equipment.
- The first stage is checking your air filter. Get a new one if it’s filthy.
- Make sure the registers are open around your residence.
- If you’re still not experiencing adequate cold air, you should have your duct system checked by a pro like North Mechanical Heating and Cooling. Your ductwork could need to be fixed or rejoined in tricky areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.