Troubleshooting and completing your own AC repair in Croydon, Pennsylvania, can appear like a lot of guessing.
But it doesn’t have to be. There are a couple of fast fixes you can attempt without help that may help you get out of an AC service call.
When you’re having air conditioning problems, try this troubleshooting list before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC.
Our experts can be reached at 215-741-5505 when you need professional help. We offer emergency AC repair and service most models of central air conditioners.
If you want to get an updated air conditioning system, we also offer AC installation.
When you’re on the phone with us, think about an annual AC maintenance plan that could help you steer clear from potential problems. We can let you know how frequently you require air conditioner service.
Prepared to begin diagnosing your system? Use our fast tips below. A lot of of these procedures don’t require any AC experience.
Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of reasons why your AC unit won’t cool: a blown circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioning won’t turn on when you have an overloaded breaker.
To find out if one has gotten overloaded, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can find this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s tripped the breaker will be in the in between or “off” position.
- Firmly transfer the lever back to the “on” spot. If it instantly flips again, leave it alone and contact us at 215-741-5505. A fuse that keeps turning off could signal your residence has electrical trouble.
Inaccurate Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your system to start, it won’t switch on.
The most important point is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC may not turn on. Or you might receive. warm air blowing from vents because the heater is running instead.
If you’re using a digital thermostat:
- Put in new batteries if the monitor is clear. If the readout is displaying scrambled characters, get a new thermostat.
- Make sure the correct option is on the display. If you can’t update it, override it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if the configuration is not right.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees below the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the house’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is set correctly, you should start getting 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 troubleshooting. If you still can’t get it to work, reach us at 215-741-5505 for support.
Shut-Off Switch
Your AC usually has a power-cutting switch near its condenser. This device is typically in a metal box attached to your residence. If your AC has recently been fixed, the device may have inadvertently been left in the “off” position.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan
Condensate drain pans keep the additional water your AC removes from the air. This pan can be situated either under or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and initiate a safety setting to stop your air conditioner.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra liquid with a formulated pan-cleaning tab. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware retailer.
If your pan involves a pump, look for the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you may need to install a new pump. Call us at 215-741-5505 for help.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is working but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be obstructed. Or it may not have adequate refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be reduced by a blocked air filter or dusty condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can create numerous problems, such as:
- Limited cooling
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Intermittent cooling
- Bigger electricity bills
- Making your system wear out faster
We recommend installing new flat filters once a month, and accordion filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last changed yours, switch off your system totally and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be situated in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Tilt the filter up to the light. If you can’t see through it you need to replace it.
4 Steps to Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Unit
Weeds, vegetation and leaves can obstruct your condensing unit. This can limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system running well again.
- Turn off power totally at the breaker or external lever.
- Remove vegetation rubbish around the air conditioner. Once you’ve removed all the debris within a two-foot radius, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to carefully clean the equipment’s fins. Bent fins can also affect performance, so you can attempt to correct them with a small knife.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully take off dirt on the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get liquid on the fan motor.
- Put the top back on and turn on the power.
Leaking Refrigerant
When air conditioning equipment doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from the air.
Here are several indications that your equipment is leaking refrigerant:
- It takes too long to refresh your house and you’re continually decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Air moving through the ducts isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re hearing whistling or gurgling racket when the air conditioning works.
- Your evaporator coil is icy due to having difficulty taking on heat.
Suspect your equipment is leaking refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service expert to fix the leak and replenish the correct level of refrigerant in your unit. Call us at 215-741-5505 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not getting enough cool air, there’s probably an obstruction or detachment inside your air conditioning system.
- The first step is checking your air filter. Replace it if it’s soiled.
- Then check the ductwork is open throughout your home.
- If you’re still not getting adequate cold air, you should have your ductwork examined by a professional like Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC. Your ductwork may need to be fixed or relinked in limited space spots 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 Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC at 215-741-5505. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.