Is your A/C not working? Many people discover that their air conditioner has stopped working and it is usually at the most inconvenient time. Fortunately, a little DIY troubleshooting can often fix the problem and your air conditioner will be back to cooling your home in no time. Troubleshooting air conditioning problems does not have to be difficult if you follow the tips listed below.
In order to diagnose HVAC problems it is important to first determine if the cooling system is getting power. Whether you have no power to your entire home or just to your HVAC system, without electricity, your air conditioning system is certainly not going to function. If you have power in your home, then check to see if the fuse or circuit for the air conditioning system has been tripped. This can be an easy fix and will get your AC back to cooling your home in no time.
If you have power, but the air coming out of the vents isn’t cold, your AC might be frozen. Check the air filter and replace if it is dirty or clogged. Dirty air filters inhibit the flow of air your cooling system needs to function properly.
Another common problem can be your thermostat. Check to see if it needs batteries and that it is set to “cool”.
The inside unit should have a switch near the air handler, check to be sure this switch is in the “on” position.
Just like there is an on/off switch by the inside unit, the outside unit also has a power switch that will turn it off. Make sure the unit is plugged in and turned on.
A very common problem with many cooling systems is the drain line can become clogged. Your air conditioner has a water pan underneath it and is likely outfitted with a switch to turn the unit off if the water begins to back up. Simply clear the line and empty the pan and your AC will often start cooling again.
After trying these troubleshooting tips, if your cooling system is still not functioning properly, it is best to call in a professional HVAC technician. There are some simple DIY procedures homeowners can do, but beyond these, a license professional is the best solution.