Are you having problems with your air conditioner? Would you like to save on the cost of a professional HVAC service call? Many homeowners don’t realize that many of the most common problems with a cooling system can easily be diagnosed and fixed without ever having to call in a HVAC technician. One of the most important factors in troubleshooting air conditioning problems is to follow a few very simple procedures.
If you have an A/C not working at all, meaning that it is not turning or making any noise, you should start by making sure there is electrical power to the home. If you have electrical power in other parts of your home, you will need to check to make sure that the fuse or circuit breaker for your cooling system is not tripped. An air conditioner that is not getting electricity will not turn on or provide the cooling relief you want.
If you haven’t found a problem after following the above steps, you should check to make sure that the on/off switch located near the indoor air handler is in the “on” position. Additionally, the outside unit should have a disconnect switch. Make sure it is plugged in and the disconnect switch in on.
Troubleshooting air conditioning problems is a process of elimination. If you have power, but your air conditioner is still not cooling, check to make sure your thermostat has batteries and is set properly. It should be set on the “cool” mode and the temperature should be set low enough to ensure your air conditioner will turn on.
Many homeowners never think the problem could be stemming from a dirty air filter; however, a clogged or dirty filter can make it difficult for your air conditioner to operate properly. Make sure you replace your filter every month.
Check the A/C drain line to be sure that it is not clogged. If the pan located under or near your air conditioner has water in it, your air conditioner might be designed to shut off to keep it from causing a water problem. By flushing the drain line, you might be able to easily solve your A/C problem.
If you have followed these troubleshooting tips and your air conditioner is still not operating properly, it is time to call your local HVAC professional. An experienced HVAC contractor will have trained service technicians who can diagnose HVAC problems and get your air conditioner back up and running again.
