Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few causes why your air conditioning won’t cool: a triggered circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioning won’t work when you have an overloaded breaker.
To find out if one has gotten overloaded, find your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Confirm 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” position. If it’s tripped, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily transfer the breaker back to the “on” location. If it instantaneously triggers again, leave it alone and call us at 602-971-0567. A switch that keeps flipping may mean your home has an electrical problem.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your equipment to work, it won’t switch on.
The key part is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not turn on. You could also receive hot air coming from vents since the heater is running instead.
If you’re using a regular thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the monitor is showing jumbled letters, get a new thermostat.
- Check the correct option is on the display. If you can’t change it, cancel it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if programming is incorrect.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is identical to the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is set correctly, you should begin getting cool air promptly.
If you have a smart thermostat, such as one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 602-971-0567 for help.
Shut-Off Switch
Your system usually has a power-cutting device near its condenser. This switch is generally in a metal box attached to your residence. If your equipment has recently been fixed, the device may have unintentionally been turned off.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the additional water your system pulls from the air. This pan can be found either under or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or blocked drain, water can build up and trigger a safety control to turn off your air conditioner.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra condensation with a custom pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these capsules at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan has a pump, locate the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you may need to get a new pump. Reach us at 602-971-0567 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your AC is going but not cooling, its airflow may be congested. Or it could not have enough refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be restricted by a plugged air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can lead to a lot of issues, such as:
- Limited cooling
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Higher utility bills
- Leading your system to wear out faster
We recommend replacing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced your filter, turn off your unit completely and remove the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be situated in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to the sunshine. If you see a lot of dust, you should buy a new filter.
4 Steps to Cleaning Your AC System
Brush, plants and bushes can block your condensing system. This can reduce its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system working smoothly again.
- Switch off the electrical current totally at the breaker or external switch.
- Clear vegetation debris around the equipment. Once you’ve cleared bigger clutter within a two-foot radius, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dirt from the unit’s fins. Kinked fins can also impact capability.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Not Enough Refrigerant
When AC systems don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your space.
Here are a few signs that your unit is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes a long time to refresh your rooms and you’re constantly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Cooling blowing through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re experiencing fizzing or gurgling sounds when the air conditioning is on.
- Your evaporator coil is frosty as a result of having an issue handling humidity.
Suspect your equipment is leaking refrigerant? You need a qualified heating and cooling service professional to take care of the leak and restore the proper measurement of refrigerant in your unit. Get in touch with us at 602-971-0567 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not receiving ample amounts of cool air, there’s probably a clog or disconnection somewhere in your AC system.
- The first step is looking at your air filter. Replace it if it’s soiled.
- Make sure the ductwork is open throughout your house.
- If you’re still not receiving enough chilled air, you should have your duct system examined by a professional like Integrity AC & Heating LLC. Your ductwork could need to be serviced or reconnected in difficult areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.