Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few explanations why your air conditioning system won’t cool: a tripped circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t work when you have a blown breaker.
To check if one has blown, locate your home’s main electrical panel. You can spot this silver box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s overloaded, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Quickly shift the switch back to the “on” position. If it instantly triggers again, don’t reset it and reach us at 717-216-0846. A fuse that keeps tripping could indicate your house has an electrical issue.
Inaccurate Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your system to run, it won’t activate.
The main part is ensuring it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not start running. You could also have hot air moving from vents since the heater is on instead.
If you’re using a regular thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the screen is empty. If the monitor is displaying garbled characters, buy a new thermostat.
- Check the proper mode is displaying. If you can’t change it, cancel it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is incorrect.
- Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat matches the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is adjusted correctly, you should begin getting cool air promptly.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, such as one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still having problems, call us at 717-216-0846 for support.
Turn-Off Switch
Your AC probably has a shut-off switch by its outdoor unit. This device is typically in a metal box attached to your house. If your AC has recently been repaired, the device may have inadvertently been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the additional liquid your equipment takes out of the air. This pan can be positioned either under or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can build up and initiate a safety feature to turn off your equipment.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the extra condensation with a formulated pan-cleaning capsule. You can purchase these tabs at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan involves a pump, find 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 717-216-0846 for help.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your equipment is going but not cooling, its airflow might be blocked. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.
Clogged Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be reduced by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can cause numerous issues, including:
- Lower comfort
- Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Higher utility costs
- Making your system stop working faster
We suggest changing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, turn off your unit 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.
Tilt the filter up to the sunshine. If you see a lot of dust, you certainly should replace it.
How to Clean Your AC Equipment
Greenery, vegetation and bushes can obstruct your condensing unit. This may reduce its airflow, make it less energy efficient and affect your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system working properly again.
- Switch off power totally at the breaker or external lever.
- Clear vegetation debris around the unit. Once you’ve cleared bigger clutter within a two-foot range, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to slowly clean the unit’s fins. Crooked fins can also affect efficiency.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully clean the fins from inside the equipment. Be careful to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
- Turn on the power.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When cooling equipment doesn’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your house.
Here are several flags that your equipment is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes a long time to refresh your space and you’re continually lowering the thermostat.
- Air conditioning blowing through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re noticing fizzing or burbling noises when cooling works.
- Your evaporator coil is frozen because it’s having difficulty handling heat.
Worried your equipment is seeping refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and refill the right level of refrigerant in your unit. Call us at 717-216-0846 for assistance.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not receiving ample amounts of cold air, there’s possibly an obstruction or disconnection somewhere in your AC equipment.
- The first stage is examining your air filter. Get a new one if it’s filthy.
- Make sure the vents are open throughout your house.
- If you’re still not getting ample cold air, you should have your ductwork checked by a specialist like County Line Mechanical LLC. Your ductwork may need to be repaired or relinked in hard-to-reach locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.