Having a functioning air conditioner makes staying cool during the hottest part of the summer feel effortless. But what happens if your air conditioner decides to quit working? Here are some typical causes of an inoperable air conditioner and solutions.
1. The batteries in your thermostat are dead.
Sometimes the most straightforward things are the ones that give us the greatest grief. Before assuming that your air conditioner isn’t working properly because your thermostat isn’t showing anything on the screen, you should replace the batteries. Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool” so it’s not only running the heat or the fan after giving it new batteries.
2. The Indoor or Outdoor Disconnect Switch is not engaged.
Yes, there is a disconnect switch that aids in powering your AC unit both inside and outside. The indoor switch is typically situated in a garage or attic, while the outdoor switch is installed next to your outdoor air conditioner. Both of these could have shut off by accident if they had been switched off or bumped. A quick repair to guarantee that your AC is operating properly is to verify that these are both switched on.
3. You need to replace your dirty air filter.
We advise replacing your air filter frequently, ideally every 60 days. If the air filter is unclean, your air conditioner will not be able to operate effectively. Dust accumulation in air filters over time can limit airflow to your HVAC system. Your system may freeze up and fail to cool correctly if there is not enough airflow. To prevent this from happening and to keep your air conditioner working, be sure to replace your air filter!
4. Dirty Air Coils
Fun fact: Air conditioners remove heat from the air to chill it, not add coolness to it. Two AC coils—one in your indoor unit and one in the outdoor unit—allow them to achieve this. The efficiency with which the air coils transfer heat from your house will be affected by their cleanliness. Instead of cooling your home, your air conditioner will just circulate air that is roughly the same temperature. Make sure to arrange regular maintenance for your HVAC system with an AC specialist to prevent this. Your coils can be kept clean by us so you can stay cool.
5. You have a tripped circuit breaker.
Check your breaker box carefully. A breaker may have tripped. It can be the one that links to your HVAC system if there is one. Then test your AC again after the breaker has been reset. When working with electricity, always exercise caution because even a seemingly simple activity like resetting a tripped breaker can be harmful if you are unfamiliar with it. Call your HVAC specialist if you’re unsure of the cause of your breaker’s recurrent trips so they can help you find the issue!
6. Low Coolant Level
When air is pumped over the cooling coils in your air conditioner, the refrigerant (also known as coolant) does its job of lowering the temperature in your house. Your home won’t be able to cool down without the right coolant. The warm or heated air coming from your vents, higher-than-average energy bills, or a slow cooling of your home are a few warning indications that your AC unit is low on coolant. You’ll need an HVAC specialist to come out and refill your coolant and check your system for leaks if it’s becoming low.
7. Your Compressor Requires Repair or Replacement
Your air conditioner’s compressor compresses and circulates coolant by passing through the evaporator and condenser coils. We strongly advise getting in touch with your HVAC specialist to diagnose the problem and replace or repair the compressor if this component of your unit malfunctions.
Simply scheduling your HVAC system to be serviced twice a year by your trusted HVAC specialist will help you prevent all of these issues. A maintenance examination will find minor issues before they become significant and costly repairs.