Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of explanations why your AC equipment won’t start: an overloaded circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t work when you have a tripped breaker.
To see if one has blown, find your home’s main electrical panel. You can find this silver box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Confirm your hands and feet are dry before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Firmly move the breaker back to the “on” position. If it immediately triggers again, don’t reset it and contact us at 724-425-5852. A switch that keeps flipping might indicate your residence has an electrical issue.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your system to work, it won’t switch on.
The first step is making sure it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning might not turn on. You could also have warm air coming from vents being the heater is on instead.
If you have a regular thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the readout is presenting scrambled characters, replace the thermostat.
- Make sure the right program is on the display. If you can’t alter it, override it by decreasing the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if the configuration is wrong.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees below the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should start getting refreshing air quickly.
If you’re using a smart thermostat, including ones manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If it still won’t work, call us at 724-425-5852 for assistance.
Turn-Off Switch
Your system typically has a shut-down device near its outside unit. This switch is commonly in a metal box attached to your home. If your equipment has recently been repaired, the switch may have inadvertently been turned off.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the surplus liquid your AC takes out of the air. This pan is located either under or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can build up and prompt a safety feature to turn off your unit.
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 purchase these tablets 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 might have to get a new pump. Call us at 724-425-5852 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is going but not providing cold air, its airflow might be congested. Or it might not have adequate refrigerant.
Clogged Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be reduced by a blocked air filter or dirty condenser.
How to Replace Your Air Filter
A dirty filter can create countless problems, including:
- Reduced comfort
- Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Increased energy bills
- Making your system wear out more quickly
We recommend changing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t recall when you last replaced your filter, turn off your AC fully and take out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be located in an attached filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.
Tilt the filter up to the light. If you can’t see any light, you need to get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your Cooling Equipment
Weeds, plants and bushes can block your condensing unit. This could limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s how you can get your equipment working properly again.
- Switch off power completely at the breaker or outdoor switch.
- Clear vegetation waste around the air conditioner. Once you’ve cleared bigger clutter within a two-foot range, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the equipment’s fins. Warped fins can also affect efficiency.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully clean the fins from inside the equipment. Make sure to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
- Turn on the power.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When AC equipment doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your house.
Here are a couple of flags that your system is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes a long time to refresh your space and you’re regularly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Air blowing through the ducts isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re hearing hissing or bubbling noises when the AC runs.
- Your evaporator coil is icy on account of having an issue absorbing humidity.
Worried your equipment is losing refrigerant? You need a qualified heating and cooling service professional to take care of the leak and restore the right amount of refrigerant in your equipment. Reach us at 724-425-5852 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not having enough chilled air, there’s usually a blockage or detachment somewhere in your cooling equipment.
- The initial stage is checking your air filter. Get a new one if it’s soiled.
- Make sure the ductwork is open across your residence.
- If you’re still not getting ample cold air, you should have your duct system checked by a expert like Knoechel Heating Company. Your ductwork may need to be fixed or reconnected in limited space locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.