Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several reasons why your air conditioner won’t cool: a tripped circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a turned off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t run when you have a tripped breaker.
To determine if one has tripped, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this gray fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker identified “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded, the breaker will be in the middle or “off” position.
- Steadily transfer the breaker back to the “on” location. If it instantly triggers again, don’t reset it and call us at 732-806-5536. A switch that keeps tripping might indicate your home has electrical trouble.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your equipment to work, it won’t turn on.
The main step is making sure it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning might not switch on. Or you could have heated air moving from vents being the heater is going instead.
If you’re using a traditional thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the readout is blank. If the screen is showing scrambled letters, buy a new thermostat.
- Make sure the right mode is on the display. If you can’t change it, override it by lowering the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is wrong.
- Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat matches the house’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated correctly, you should receive cool air fast.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, such as one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 732-806-5536 for help.
Shut-Down Switch
Your system probably has a shut-off device by its outdoor unit. This device is commonly in a metal box attached to your home. If your unit has recently been repaired, the lever may have unintentionally been put in the “off” location.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the surplus condensation your AC removes from the air. This pan can be positioned either below or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can build up and prompt a safety setting to turn off your unit.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra liquid with a custom pan-cleaning capsule. You can buy these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan involves a pump, look for the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you could need to get a new pump. Contact us at 732-806-5536 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your AC is going but not cooling, its airflow may be congested. Or it might not have adequate refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be limited by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A dirty filter can create numerous troubles, including:
- Limited airflow
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Intermittent cooling
- Bigger utility costs
- Making your system break down sooner
We suggest installing new flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last changed yours, shut off your system totally and pull out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be situated in a connected filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see any light, you certainly should replace it.
How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Equipment
Brush, plants and shrubbery can block your condensing unit. This may limit its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your system running properly again.
- Shut off the electrical current fully at the breaker or external switch.
- Clear greenery rubbish around the air conditioner. Once you’ve cleared all the refuse within a two-foot space, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to carefully remove dirt from the condenser fins. Distorted fins can also affect efficiency, so you can attempt to straighten them with a small knife.
- Remove the upper part of your AC and pull out any leaves or weeds that has accumulated. Then wipe off the condenser fan with a wet rag.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully take off dirt on the fins from inside the equipment. Be careful to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
- Put the top back on and turn the power back on.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When AC systems don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from the air.
Here are several indications that your system is losing refrigerant:
- It takes too long to lower the temperature in your rooms and you’re constantly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Air blowing through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re noticing fizzing or burbling racket when the AC works.
- Your evaporator coil is iced over as a result of having an issue absorbing heat.
Suspect your system is losing refrigerant? You need a qualified heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and replenish the right amount of refrigerant in your system. Contact us at 732-806-5536 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not having enough cool air, there’s potentially a blockage or detachment somewhere in your air conditioning unit.
- The initial step is looking at your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dusty.
- Then check the vents are open across your house.
- If you’re still not receiving adequate cold air, you should have your ducts inspected by a pro like Aggressive Mechanical. Your ductwork may need to be fixed or relinked in limited space spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.