Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Auburn and Opelika, Alabama, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like Farnell Mechanical, Inc..

Our experts are standing by at 334-524-2458 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be several explanations why your AC unit won’t work: a tripped circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a turned off switch or a full condensate drain pan.

Triggered Circuit Breaker

Your cooling won’t start when you have an overloaded breaker.

To find out if one has gotten overloaded, find your house’s main electrical panel. You can find this gray device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you check the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker marked “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” location. If it’s overloaded the switch will be in the in between or “off” position.
  • Steadily move the lever back to the “on” location. If it immediately flips again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 334-524-2458. A breaker that keeps tripping could indicate your home has an electrical problem.

Inaccurate Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your air conditioner to work, it won’t switch on.

The most important part is ensuring it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC may not start running. Or you could have. hot air coming from vents since the furnace is going instead.

If you rely on a regular thermostat:

  • Put in new batteries if the screen is empty. If the screen is showing garbled letters, replace the thermostat.
  • Ensure the right program is displaying. If you can’t change it, reverse it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if scheduling is incorrect.
  • Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is set properly, you should receive cool air quickly.

If you rely on a smart thermostat, such as one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If it still won’t work, call us at 334-524-2458 for support.

Shut-Down Switch

Your AC probably has a shut-off lever by its condenser. This switch is typically in a metal box attached to your residence. If your unit has recently been fixed, the device may have inadvertently been placed in the “off” position.

Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans hold the surplus water your air conditioner takes out of the air. This pan can be situated either under or in your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a clog or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and trigger a safety control to stop your unit.

If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the surplus water with a custom pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan involves a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you may need to get a new pump. Contact us at 334-524-2458 for assistance.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your system is on but not delivering cold air, its airflow might be congested. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.

Obstructed Airflow

Your system’s airflow can be restricted by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Replace Your Air Filter

A dirty filter can create numerous troubles, including:

  • Reduced comfort
  • Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Larger energy expenses
  • Making your system wear out more quickly

We suggest replacing flat filters once a month, and creased filters every three months.

If you aren’t sure when you last replaced yours, shut off your AC fully and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be situated in an adjoining filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see through it you should get a new one.

How to Clean Your AC Equipment

Greenery, vegetation and leaves can block your condensing equipment. This can restrict its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit operating smoothly again.

  1. Switch off the electrical current fully at the breaker or outdoor lever.
  2. Remove yard waste around the equipment. Once you’ve removed bigger debris within a two-foot area, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to slowly remove dust from the equipment’s fins. Deformed fins can also impact efficiency, so you can attempt to correct them with a dinner knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly remove gunk off the fins from inside the system. Don’t get water on the fan motor.
  4. Replace the top and turn on the power.

Leaking Refrigerant

When AC units don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from your house.

Here are a couple of indications that your unit is seeping refrigerant:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to cool your residence and you’re continually turning down the thermostat.
  2. Air blowing through the registers isn’t as chilled as it should be.
  3. You’re noticing whistling or burbling noises when cooling works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frosty on account of having an issue taking on humidity.

Suspect your unit is leaking refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service professional to repair the leak and replenish the proper amount of refrigerant in your unit. Reach us at 334-524-2458 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not getting enough chilled air, there’s possibly a clog or disconnection inside your cooling equipment.

  • The first stage is looking at your air filter. Replace it if it’s filthy.
  • Then check the registers are open throughout your residence.
  • If you’re still not experiencing enough cold air, you should have your ductwork checked by a expert like Farnell Mechanical, Inc.. Your ductwork could need to be serviced or reconnected in tricky areas 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 Farnell Mechanical, Inc. at 334-524-2458. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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