Air Conditioner Replacement: what to do when your air conditioner stops working

May 28, 2015

Summer and comfort are made for each other, but when you’re dealing with an air conditioner that isn’t leaving you with the comfort you desire, you may need to think about air conditioner replacement. Take a few moments and think about this scenario: it’s only a few weeks in to the summer and you’re enjoying an easy day at home. As lunchtime comes around, you realize that it’s starting to feel awfully warm inside. You check the thermostat and all appears to be well with the settings, but the temperature reads 85 degrees.

It’s likely that you rode it out as much as you could, but now it’s time to call in a technician and find out what’s wrong. So what does that mean for you as a homeowner? Well, there are a couple reasons that you could be facing air conditioner replacement. And considering the weather in Auburn and Opelika, you don’t want to be left without what may be the single most significant piece of home comfort equipment you own.

Here are a few things you should be watching for if you think your air conditioner has stopped working:

  • Insufficient air flow. If you notice a change in air flow, check for a blocked return-air or supply-air grille. Be sure all of these grilles are not obstructed by furniture or other items.
  • Non-working outdoor fan. If you go outside to inspect your air conditioner’s outdoor fan and it doesn’t run, you’ll want to give the professionals at Farnell Mechanical, Inc. in Auburn and Opelika a call. That fan handles the transferring of heat from your home to the outdoors. If it doesn’t run, that heat transfer isn’t occurring and can cause a variety of issues, including overheating of the compressor and other potential internal problems.
  • Outside obstructions. If your air conditioner is currently bordered by shrubbery or other potential obstructions, there could be a concern with enough air flow to the unit. Over time this could also mean that dirt and debris end up clogging your system and hurting its cooling abilities. Make sure your system is free from obstructions and is cleaned frequently to potentially reduce your chances of needing air conditioner replacement.
  • Dirty filters. One of the most common problems that Farnell Mechanical, Inc. sees is improperly cared for filters. Dirty filters not only decrease airflow, they can also effect your system’s efficiency and can drive up your energy bills. They also affect air quality and when allergy season is in full-swing, a dirty filter can have a large impact on your home comfort.

If you have checked all of these and your air conditioner still isn’t operating, follow these step-by-step instructions, only proceeding to the next step if the system doesn’t start.

  1. Check that the thermostat temperature set-point is set below indoor temperature, and the system switch is in the COOL position.
  2. Is the outdoor unit power supply switch "on"?
  3. Is the furnace/air handler power supply "on"?
  4. Check the house fuse box/breaker box for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
  5. If the system still does not operate, call Farnell Mechanical, Inc. at 334-524-2458.

Having a broken air conditioner and dealing with air conditioner replacement doesn’t have to be a headache. Sure, your system may not be working , but that’s why the pros at Farnell Mechanical, Inc. in Auburn and Opelika is here to help. Give us a call at 334-524-2458.