Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several explanations why your AC equipment won’t work: a tripped circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your cooling won’t start when you have an overloaded breaker.
To see if one has tripped, find your house’s main electrical panel. You can spot this metallic box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you check the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Quickly transfer the switch back to the “on” location. If it instantaneously flips again, don’t reset it and call us at 435-753-5515. A switch that keeps flipping could mean your house has electrical trouble.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your system to start, it won’t activate.
The most important step is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not turn on. You might also receive heated air coming from vents since the heat is running instead.
If you rely on a traditional thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the screen is empty. If the screen is showing scrambled characters, replace the thermostat.
- Make sure the right program is displaying. If you can’t change it, reverse it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is wrong.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat matches the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is adjusted properly, you should start getting chilled air fast.
If you’re using a smart thermostat, such as one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, contact us at 435-753-5515 for support.
Turn-Off Switch
Your cooling equipment usually has a shut-down switch by its outside unit. This lever is typically in a metal box attached to your residence. If your unit has recently been tuned up, the device may have inadvertently been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the extra liquid your AC removes from the air. This pan is located either below or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or blocked drain, water can accumulate and prompt a safety setting to switch off your unit.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the extra liquid with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can purchase these capsules at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan involves a pump, locate the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you might have to install a new pump. Contact us at 435-753-5515 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is running but not providing cold air, its airflow may be blocked. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a plugged air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A dirty filter can cause countless issues, including:
- Reduced cooling
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Increased electricity bills
- Making your system stop working more quickly
We suggest installing new flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced your filter, shut off your unit fully and pull out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be located in an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to the sunshine. If you see a lot of dust, you certainly should buy a new filter.
4 Steps to Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Unit
Weeds, vegetation and sticks can obstruct your condensing equipment. This may reduce its airflow, make it less energy efficient and affect your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit running smoothly again.
- Switch off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outdoor switch.
- Remove greenery waste around the AC. Once you’ve removed all the debris within a two-foot area, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to carefully remove dust from the equipment’s fins. Bent fins can also hurt efficiency.
- Use a hose nozzle to slowly take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Be careful to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
- Turn on the power.
Not Enough Refrigerant
When cooling units don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from the air.
Here are a few signs that your unit is losing refrigerant:
- It takes too long to refresh your residence and you’re continually decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Cooling blowing through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re hearing fizzing or bubbling noises when cooling works.
- Your evaporator coil is icy because it’s having an issue taking on warmth.
Worried your system is leaking refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and replenish the correct level of refrigerant in your equipment. Reach us at 435-753-5515 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not getting adequate amounts of cold air, there’s potentially a clog or detachment inside your air conditioning equipment.
- The initial place is examining your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s filthy.
- Make sure the vents are open across your rooms.
- If you’re still not getting ample cold air, you should have your ductwork examined by a professional like Western Mechanical, Inc.. Your duct system may need to be repaired or reconnected in hard-to-reach areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.