10 Easy Ways to Troubleshoot Common AC Problems

Few things are more annoying than having your air conditioner break down in the middle of the summer heat. Your house gets uncomfortable and your energy costs can go up if your air conditioner isn’t working properly. Before contacting a repairman to fix your broken air conditioner, try these 10 troubleshooting tips if your unit isn’t keeping you cool.

1. Adjust the Thermostat Properly

Making sure your thermostat is set to cool rather than heat should be the first thing you do when troubleshooting your air conditioner. Yes, it might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often people forget to adjust this setting once winter is over. Before proceeding with additional troubleshooting steps or making a professional call, finish this quick step.

2. Shut the Doors and Windows

This advice might also seem apparent, but one common way that people abuse their air conditioners is by leaving doors and windows open. Your air conditioner has to work harder to cool the air when warm air enters your house through windows and doors. This implies that you overpay for your cooling expenses and gradually reduce the efficiency of your unit. Thus, ensure that everyone in your family remembers to shut outside doors and windows when the air conditioner is operating.

3. Examine any tripped circuit breakers.

It’s possible that overloading caused your circuit breakers to trip, which is why your air conditioning won’t turn on. Examine and switch on and off the AC breakers on your electrical panel. Then, see if it works by trying to run your AC a few minutes later. If not, you might have to get the blown fuse replaced. In order to be safe, have a licensed electrician check the breakers and fuse if they’re still not working.

4. Maintain Your Air Filters

One of the most frequent reasons for air conditioning issues is a dirty air filter, which also has an impact on indoor air quality. Over time, pet hair, dust, and debris accumulate, clogging the air and slowing down your air conditioner. Your furnace’s air filters need to be changed every three months, especially if you have pets or use your air conditioner frequently. Ignoring your air filters can result in malfunctioning equipment and significantly higher energy costs.

5. To Check for Low Refrigerant, Call a Technician

You might not have enough refrigerant if your air conditioner isn’t adequately cooling your house. The essential component for an effective central air conditioning system is refrigerant, which is what extracts heat and moisture from the air. Although it’s possible that leaks in your system are the cause of the low refrigerant, you might also need to add more refrigerant. If the leaks are too serious to fix, you might have to replace your AC unit. A technician equipped with the right tools is required in both situations.

6. Let the Air Out of Your Vents

It’s possible that you deliberately sealed off vents in rooms you rarely use in the hopes of reducing your energy costs. Closing vents in your house, however, can harm your air conditioner and necessitate costly repairs or replacements. Every home has a small amount of air leakage from ducts. Vents that are closed let more air through and increase pressure on the ducts, which increases the amount of air that leaks out. Therefore, if you believe that closing vents will save you money, be advised that doing so actually reduces energy efficiency and may increase your energy costs.

7. Hire a cleaner for your air ducts

Your air ducts may have tears or leaks in addition to being clogged with dust and debris. In certain more severe situations, mold may also be present in your air ducts. Sometimes, dust coming out of your vents or uneven air cooling from your air conditioning system are signs that your ducts are blocked. When you turn on your air conditioning unit and smell something musty, it might be mold. In any scenario, you should have a professional inspect and clean your air ducts if you have any suspicions about their cleanliness.

8. Look for leaks of water

Turn off your air conditioner right away if water is seeping into your house to prevent expensive water damage. Occasionally, a clogged drain line can result in leaks like these where water backs up into your house. To see if using a wet/dry vacuum to troubleshoot the drain problem will stop the water leak, you can try that. If not, a professional replacement of a different part is probably required.

9. Inspect the Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit

When your air conditioning unit has a malfunction, it’s usually the result of malfunctioning system parts in your house, like the ducts and vents. However, don’t forget to inspect the condenser, which is the outside portion of your HVAC system. Debris, like dirt, weeds, and leaves, can accumulate over time on the condenser, resulting in ineffective cooling and increased energy costs. To remove any dirt or debris, try using a hose to spray the unit. Additionally, make sure that any large objects are at least two feet away from the unit and trim any grass or weeds surrounding it.

10. Speak with a Certified Technician

Although we’ve provided a lot of steps to help you troubleshoot your AC, sometimes these do-it-yourself solutions aren’t quite sufficient. Try to keep your unit well-maintained at all times to avoid expensive repairs or replacements and to know when to hire a pro. In certain instances, the best way to safely resolve your AC issues is to hire a licensed technician.

It is advised that you have an inspection of your air conditioner around the end of spring. A professional inspection tells you whether your system is in good working order before you need it, which will ease your mind and save money.

When it comes to routine maintenance, an air conditioner maintenance plan can help avert breakdowns by resolving issues such as defective components or carbon monoxide leaks before they arise. Our qualified technicians can evaluate the equipment you currently have and provide a customized report with recommendations to make sure your unit operates safely and effectively.

We are aware of how annoying it can be, particularly during the hottest part of the summer, when your air conditioner isn’t operating properly. We are available to assist you in identifying any AC issues you may be experiencing.

Few things are more annoying than having your air conditioner break down in the middle of the summer heat. Your house gets uncomfortable and your energy costs can go up if your air conditioner isn’t working properly. Before contacting a repairman to fix your broken air conditioner, try these 10 troubleshooting tips if your unit…