Diagnosing a problem and completing your own AC repair in Crown Point, Indiana, can appear like a lot of frustration.
But it doesn’t have to be. There are several easy fixes you can try on your own that might help you avoid an AC service call.
When you’re facing air conditioning troubles, use this checklist before contacting a heating and cooling repair expert like Struven Heating & Cooling.
Our professionals are standing by at 219-292-0956 when you need experienced help. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC systems.
If you want to buy a modern air conditioner, we also offer AC installation.
When you’re in contact with us, consider a routine AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of potential breakdowns. We can advise how often you require air conditioner service.
Prepared to start finding the problem with your air conditioner? Follow our easy manual below. A lot of of these procedures don’t involve any AC expertise.
Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of causes why your air conditioning won’t run: an overloaded circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioning won’t run when you have a tripped breaker.
To find out if one has gotten overloaded, go to your home’s main electrical panel. You can locate this silver box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker marked “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s triggered the switch will be in the in between or “off” spot.
- Quickly shift the breaker back to the “on” spot. If it instantaneously flips again, leave it alone and get in touch with us at 219-292-0956. A breaker that keeps turning off could indicate your house has electrical trouble.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your equipment to start, it won’t switch on.
The main part is ensuring it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC may not switch on. Or you might receive. hot air coming from vents since the heater is running instead.
If you have a digital thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the readout is clear. If the monitor is showing scrambled letters, buy a new thermostat.
- Ensure the proper option is on the display. If you can’t alter it, reverse it by lowering the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if scheduling is wrong.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees below the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat matches the house’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is set accurately, you should begin getting cool air fast.
If you have a smart thermostat, such as one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If it still won’t work, call us at 219-292-0956 for assistance.
Shut-Down Switch
Your system probably has a power-cutting device by its condenser. This switch is generally in a metal box mounted on your house. If your unit has recently been worked on, the lever may have accidentally been left in the “off” setting.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan
Condensate drain pans hold the extra liquid your equipment takes out of the air. This pan can be found either below or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or backed up drain, water can build up and prompt a safety setting to turn off your unit.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra liquid with a special pan-cleaning tablet. You can purchase these capsules at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan includes a pump, find the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you may need to get a new pump. Reach us at 219-292-0956 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your AC is working but not delivering cold air, its airflow might be blocked. Or it may not have enough refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can lead to a lot of troubles, including:
- Reduced cooling
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Intermittent cooling
- Increased electricity bills
- Causing your system to wear out faster
We recommend replacing flat filters every four weeks, and accordion filters every three months.
If you can’t recall when you last replaced yours, switch off your system fully and take out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be found in an attached filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.
Tilt the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see through it you need to get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your Cooling System
Brush, vegetation and sticks can get in the way of your condensing system. This may limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your unit operating well again.
- Turn off electricity totally at the breaker or outside lever.
- Clear plant debris around the AC. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the clutter within a two-foot range, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to slowly remove dirt from the condenser fins. Deformed fins can also impact performance, so you can attempt to reshape them with a small knife.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully clean the fins from inside the system. Don’t get liquid on the fan motor.
- Put the top back on and turn on the power.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When air conditioning systems don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your space.
Here are several flags that your equipment is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to cool your space and you’re continually lowering the thermostat.
- Air conditioning moving through the registers isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re experiencing whistling or burbling sounds when cooling runs.
- Your evaporator coil is icy due to having difficulty taking on heat.
Suspect your unit is leaking refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service professional to repair the leak and replenish the correct amount of refrigerant in your equipment. Contact us at 219-292-0956 for help.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not having enough cold air, there’s potentially a blockage or disconnection within your AC unit.
- The beginning place is looking at your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s filthy.
- Then ensure the ductwork is open throughout your house.
- If you’re still not getting adequate chilly air, you should have your ductwork checked by a professional like Struven Heating & Cooling. Your ductwork may need to be repaired or rejoined in tricky spots 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 Struven Heating & Cooling at 219-292-0956. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.