While you might not want to think about it, your air conditioning system can break down during the summertime. When this happens, it’s important to respond promptly to remedy the issue before it gets any worse. Here are some helpful troubleshooting tips that you can follow to get your AC back up and running.
Check Your Thermostat
When you first notice that your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be working, you want to take a look at your thermostat. Make sure that it’s set to cooling and the temperature is appropriate. If the thermostat isn’t working, it could be one of a number of different issues.
It’s best to start by checking the circuit breaker to see if it tripped. If it did, you may be able to simply reset it and restore functionality to your air conditioning system. If the circuit breaker is still on, install new batteries in your thermostat.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, you likely have a wiring issue with your thermostat, or the thermostat itself may be faulty and need replacing. In such an event, contact one of our technicians.
Check Your Air Filter
The air filter in your air conditioning system is great for trapping unwanted airborne particles and enhancing your indoor air quality. Unfortunately, if you forget to routinely change it, it will act more like a brick wall instead of a filter. An overly dirty filter can put a massive strain on your air conditioning system.
Many newer AC systems will have a built-in safety mechanism that will shut off the unit when it senses that it’s overheating due to overworking. Fortunately, this will remind you to replace the dirty air filter with a fresh one. Be sure you select the same size air filter for optimal performance.
Examine the Indoor Air Handler Unit
Another common safety mechanism that your air conditioner has is a sensor in its drain pan. This pan is responsible for collecting any excess moisture that your air conditioner pulls out of the air. Its job is to hold this water until it can effectively flow down your drain and out of your home. Unfortunately, if there is a clog in your drain line, it can prevent water from leaving the drain pan.
Most modern air conditioners will have a safety mechanism built into the drain pan that will sense when it gets too full. This will shut off the air conditioner to prevent it from creating any more moisture that would eventually overflow the drain pan and lead to a damaging water leak around the indoor air handler unit.
If your unit shuts off and you don’t understand why, take a look at the drain pan to see if it’s full of water. If so, unclog the drain to remove the excess water and restore functionality to your air conditioning system.
Clean Your Condenser Unit
If you notice your air conditioner seems to be blowing hot air, it could be a sign that the outdoor condenser unit is clogged full of debris or isn’t working. It’s best to examine the space around the condenser unit and clear back any debris that you find. Make sure that all shrubbery and trees are trimmed back at least 3 feet from the outside housing of the condenser unit.
You want to listen to ensure there’s a running fan inside the condenser unit. If there’s no fan running, the condenser unit itself may be off. It’s important to note that your indoor air handler unit can still run and circulate air even when your outdoor AC condenser unit is off. You can restore power to the condenser unit by checking the subpanel box and resetting the circuit breaker.
Try a Hard Reset
If you recently experienced a power surge or power outage or have an unresponsive thermostat, doing a hard reset of your home’s air conditioning system can be the solution you need to restore it to functioning like normal. It’s important to know that you should never do a reset if the circuit breaker keeps tripping, you smell burning odors, or there is a water leak.
To do a hard reset of your air conditioner, you’ll want to start by turning off your thermostat and then shutting off the circuit breaker for the air conditioner itself. Give it about 5 minutes to allow all the energy to discharge from the capacitors inside your AC unit. Go ahead and turn the circuit breaker back on and follow up by turning your thermostat on. This should restore the functioning of your air conditioner to normal.
Call for Professional Assistance
If none of the troubleshooting tips above apply to your situation or they simply didn’t work, it’s best to call our HVAC technicians for professional assistance. You should avoid continuing to run your air conditioning system if it has an issue like an odd noise, weird smell, or even very inefficient cooling. This will help prevent any further damage from happening to your system until we’re able to effectively repair it.
Keeping Your Home Cool
While you’re waiting to get repair service, there are some helpful things you can do to keep your home relatively cool and your family comfortable. If it’s during the daytime hours, be sure to close your curtains or blinds to block out the natural sunlight. Sunlight can heat up the temperature inside your home very rapidly.
Aim to use ceiling fans or other available fans to create a gentle breeze to cool your body down naturally. If you live in a multi-story home, consider conducting activities on the lowest level, as it will naturally be cooler. Consider unplugging any appliances that generate heat, like your computers, lamps, and even televisions.
Preventing Future Breakdowns
No one likes dealing with an air conditioner breakdown in the middle of a hot summer day. One of the best ways to significantly reduce your risk of experiencing an unfortunate breakdown is to get routine maintenance service for your AC unit. We recommend servicing in the early spring so that we can repair any issues with your system before you need to rely on it every day during the summer to stay comfortable and safe.
Apart from professional maintenance, there are things you should be doing as a homeowner to properly maintain the functionality of your air conditioner throughout the entire summer season. One of the most important ones is to routinely check your air filter at least once a month and replace it as necessary. Additionally, ensure all the air vents throughout your home are completely open and routinely clean around your outdoor condenser unit to keep it clear from unwanted debris.
Professional AC Repair Service
Ready and Able Plumbing, Heating, & Air offers exceptional AC repair service in Harrisburg, PA. We can also assist with all your new installation, replacement, and maintenance needs. Call us today and let us know how we can restore comfort to your home.