Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like Knoechel Heating.

Our experts are standing by at 724-425-5852 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be a few causes why your central AC system won’t cool: a triggered circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Your system won’t run when you have a blown breaker.

To find out if one has tripped, find your home’s main electrical panel. You can locate this silver box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you check the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” position. If it’s triggered the breaker will be in the middle of the panel or “off” position.
  • Steadily transfer the switch back to the “on” location. If it immediately trips again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 724-425-5852. A fuse that keeps flipping may mean your house has an electrical issue.

Wrong Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your equipment to work, it won’t activate.

The most important step is making sure it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning might not turn on. Or you may have. warm air coming from vents because the furnace is running instead.

If you rely on a digital thermostat:

  • Swap out the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the readout is displaying jumbled letters, replace the thermostat.
  • Ensure the proper program is on the display. If you can’t alter it, cancel it by lowering the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is not right.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is set the same as the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is set properly, you should receive cold air quickly.

If you have a smart thermostat, like one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for help. If it still won’t work, contact us at 724-425-5852 for help.

Shut-Down Switch

Your cooling equipment usually has a shut-down device around its outdoor unit. This device is typically in a metal box attached to your home. If your equipment has recently been repaired, the device may have unintentionally been put in the “off” setting.

Blocked Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans catch the additional liquid your system pulls from the air. This pan can be situated either beneath or inside your furnace or air handler.

When there’s an obstruction or backed up drain, water can build up and trigger a safety setting to switch off your unit.

If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the additional liquid with a formulated pan-cleaning tab. You can get these tabs at a home improvement or hardware store.

If your pan involves a pump, find the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Contact us at 724-425-5852 for help.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your AC is going but not delivering cold air, its airflow might be obstructed. Or it might not have sufficient refrigerant.

Clogged Airflow

Your equipment’s airflow can be decreased by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.

How to Change Your Air Filter

A dirty filter can cause countless issues, including:

  • Lower airflow
  • Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Inconsistent cooling
  • Bigger electricity bills
  • Leading your system to stop working more quickly

We suggest replacing flat filters monthly, and accordion filters every three months.

If you can’t remember when you last changed yours, turn off your AC totally and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be located in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see through it you certainly should buy a new filter.

How to Clean Your AC Equipment

Weeds, vegetation and sticks can block your condensing unit. This could limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and affect your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your equipment operating properly again.

  1. Switch off the electrical current fully at the breaker or outside switch.
  2. Get rid of vegetation rubbish around the equipment. Once you’ve removed bigger clutter within a two-foot space, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dirt from the condenser fins. Misshapen fins can also hurt efficiency, so you can attempt to correct them with a small knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully take off dirt on the fins from inside the unit. Be careful to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
  4. Put the top back on and turn the power back on.

Insufficient Refrigerant

When air conditioning equipment doesn’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from your space.

Here are a couple of indications that your system is leaking refrigerant:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to lower the temperature in your space and you’re regularly turning down the thermostat.
  2. Air blowing through the registers isn’t as chilly as it should be.
  3. You’re experiencing fizzing or gurgling sounds when the AC works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frosted as a result of having trouble taking on humidity.

Suspect your system is leaking refrigerant? You need a qualified heating and cooling service specialist to fix the leak and refill the correct measurement of refrigerant in your system. Get in touch with us at 724-425-5852 for support.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not having enough cool air, there’s usually an obstruction or separation inside your AC system.

  • The beginning place is looking at your air filter. Get a new one if it’s filthy.
  • Then make sure the registers are clear across your home.
  • If you’re still not experiencing adequate cold air, you should have your ductwork examined by a specialist like Knoechel Heating. Your ducts may need to be fixed or hooked up again in difficult areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Pro Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, contact the HVAC repair experts at Knoechel Heating at 724-425-5852. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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