Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few causes why your air conditioner won’t cool: a triggered circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Overloaded Circuit Breaker
Your cooling won’t start when you have a tripped breaker.
To see if one has blown, find your house’s main electrical panel. You can find this gray 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.
- Find the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s triggered, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily move the breaker back to the “on” spot. If it instantly trips again, leave it alone and reach us at 605-206-3915. A fuse that keeps flipping may mean your home has an electrical issue.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your system to start, it won’t activate.
The key step is making sure it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not start running. You may also have hot air coming from vents since the heat is going instead.
If you’re using a traditional thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the screen is clear. If the screen is presenting jumbled numbers, get a new thermostat.
- Ensure the proper program is showing. If you can’t change it, reverse it by dropping the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is incorrect.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is identical to the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is adjusted accurately, you should receive cold air fast.
If you’re using a smart thermostat, including ones made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, reach us at 605-206-3915 for support.
Turn-Off Switch
Your system typically has a shut-down device near its outdoor unit. This switch is generally in a metal box hung on your residence. If your unit has recently been tuned up, the switch may have unintentionally been turned off.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans hold the surplus water your AC takes out of the air. This pan can be found either below or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a clog or blocked drain, water can become concentrated and prompt a safety feature to turn off your system.
If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the extra condensation with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can get these tabs at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan has a pump, find the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Reach us at 605-206-3915 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is working but not providing cold air, its airflow could be obstructed. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be limited by a plugged air filter or dirty condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can lead to countless issues, such as:
- Lower airflow
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Higher energy expenses
- Making your system break down sooner
We propose installing new flat filters every four weeks, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced your filter, shut off your unit fully and remove the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be found in an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Tilt the filter up to the light. If you can’t see any light, you should get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your Cooling Equipment
Greenery, grass and shrubbery can block your condensing system. This could limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system operating smoothly again.
- Shut off power totally at the breaker or outdoor device.
- Get rid of greenery waste around the equipment. Once you’ve removed bigger refuse within a two-foot space, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to slowly remove dirt from the equipment’s fins. Misshapen fins can also hurt effectiveness.
- Use a hose nozzle to slowly clean the fins from inside the unit. Make sure to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
- Turn the power back on.
Not Enough Refrigerant
When air conditioning systems don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from your house.
Here are a couple of symptoms that your equipment is leaking refrigerant:
- It takes a long time to cool your home and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
- Air coming through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re experiencing fizzing or bubbling noises when cooling is on.
- Your evaporator coil is frozen because it’s having an issue handling humidity.
Think your system is seeping refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and replenish the correct measurement of refrigerant in your unit. Contact us at 605-206-3915 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not receiving enough cold air, there’s potentially an obstruction or detachment inside your AC equipment.
- The initial place is checking your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s soiled.
- Make sure the ductwork is open across your house.
- If you’re still not receiving ample cold air, you should have your duct system checked by a expert like Street Heating and Cooling. Your ductwork might need to be serviced or reconnected in limited space areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.