Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several explanations why your central AC system won’t run: an overloaded circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t run when you have an overloaded breaker.
To check if one has tripped, locate your house’s main electrical panel. You can find this metallic fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you check 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.
- Quickly move the breaker back to the “on” position. If it immediately flips again, don’t reset it and call us at 903-284-2612. A fuse that keeps flipping may signal your home has an electrical problem.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your air conditioner to run, it won’t switch on.
The first part is making sure it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning may not turn on. You could also have heated air coming from vents because the heat is running instead.
If you’re using a regular thermostat:
- Put in new batteries if the readout is blank. If the readout is presenting jumbled numbers, buy a new thermostat.
- Make sure the proper mode is on the display. If you can’t change it, override it by decreasing the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is wrong.
- Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is set correctly, you should receive cool air quickly.
If you have a smart thermostat, such as one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If it still won’t work, contact us at 903-284-2612 for support.
Shut-Off Switch
Your system usually has a shut-down device near its outside unit. This switch is commonly in a metal box attached to your residence. If your equipment has recently been fixed, the switch may have unintentionally been turned off.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the extra liquid your equipment pulls from the air. This pan can be found either below or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can accumulate and trigger a safety setting to turn off your system.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the additional water with a formulated pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware retailer.
If your pan has a pump, look for the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you may need to replace the pump. Call us at 903-284-2612 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your equipment is running but not cooling, its airflow could be blocked. Or it could not have sufficient refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a blocked air filter or dirty condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can cause many problems, such as:
- Limited cooling
- Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Intermittent cooling
- Bigger energy bills
- Making your system break down faster
We recommend changing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, turn off your equipment fully and take out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be found in an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see through it, you certainly should get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your AC Unit
Greenery, plants and leaves can block your condensing system. This could restrict its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit working smoothly again.
- Shut off power completely at the breaker or outside switch.
- Get rid of plant waste around the air conditioner. Once you’ve removed bigger refuse within a two-foot radius, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to carefully remove dirt from the unit’s fins. Bent fins can also hurt performance.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly take off dirt on the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get moisture on the fan motor.
- Turn on the power.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When air conditioning units don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your house.
Here are several indications that your unit is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes too long to refresh your home and you’re continually decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Cooling moving through the vents isn’t as chilly as it should be.
- You’re hearing whistling or burbling sounds when cooling works.
- Your evaporator coil is frozen as a result of having trouble absorbing warmth.
Worried your equipment is seeping refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service professional to fix the leak and refill the proper amount of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at 903-284-2612 for help.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not having enough cool air, there’s likely an obstruction or detachment within your cooling system.
- The beginning place is checking your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s dusty.
- Make sure the registers are open throughout your residence.
- If you’re still not receiving ample cold air, you should have your duct system examined by a pro like Goode Bros AC & Heating. Your ducts could need to be fixed or reconnected in difficult locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.