AC not Working? Try these Troubleshooting Tips
When common air conditioning problems arise in your home, hold off on calling in the pros. It might be something that you can address yourself. If you try a few troubleshooting strategies and the AC still isn’t working, that’s when you want to call in a trusted Cincinnati air conditioner repair contractor.
Here are some common AC problems homeowners run into:
Insufficient cooling
Check to see whether inadequate cooling is
- a result of poor airflow, or
- air that’s just not cool enough to counter the heat energy in a room.
If it’s an airflow problem, you may be able to address that issue yourself.
Check the air filter and replace it if it’s clogged with dust and debris. Look at your vents and registers and make sure they’re not blocked by drapes, boxes, furniture, rugs, etc.
Weak airflow also may be a problem with the ductwork. Look at visible sections of ducts to see if there’s any poor connections. That could signal a wider problem than just the ones you can see.
Dirty and/or leaking ducts also can restrict airflow (as well as compromise indoor air quality).
Of course, your airflow problem might be a defective or broken blower motor or air handler. In that case (or if you can’t determine what’s causing the problem), it’s time to call in an air conditioning repair technician whom you trust.
Inadequate cooling (air that’s just not cool)
If the air is emerging from registers at a good velocity but feels tepid or warm, this could be caused by any of several problems. They include
1) a thermostat that’s not set to “cool” or that has a temperature setting that’s higher than the temperature in the room;
2) dirty or rusted cooling coils that are preventing proper heat exchange;
3) not enough or leaking refrigerant or
4) defective or broken AC parts, including the compressor.
Most of these issues will require professional intervention. A good rule of thumb? When in doubt, call in a Cincinnati HVAC contractor you trust.
The air conditioner won’t operate
Check your breaker cabinet for any tripped circuits. If the one for the AC or furnace is not all the way engaged like the others, flip it off, then back on.
The thermostat should have a fresh battery if it’s battery-operated.
If cooling equipment has been working too hard, that can cause the AC to break down or perform poorly. On a really hot day, don’t expect your air conditioner to cool a room to the mid-60s. This can result in serious damage to sensitive (and expensive) components.
Also check that the thermostat is set properly (lower temperature than the room temp, set to “cool,” not “heat.”
Ice shows up on the outside AC unit
This can be a result of several different issues, none of which most homeowners are equipped to deal with. The same goes for problems with the refrigerant.
A technician must have special training and credentials to work with the chemicals that make up refrigerant. Contact your HVAC contractor to address this problem.
Higher-than-normal cooling bills
If the AC cooling in your home seems normal, but you’re starting to notice higher-than-normal electric bills during the cooling season, this could mean any one of several different potential malfunctions – most of which have been discussed earlier in this article.
Your equipment (e.g., the compressor or blower) could be reaching the end of its useful service life, the air filter could need to be changed, or there could be problems with the air circulation system aside from the blower (ducts, vents, etc.).
Consult with a reliable HVAC repair professional about possible reasons your bills have been increasing (after you make sure your electric rates haven’t gone up recently, or a new electrical device in your home isn’t causing the rate spike).
Maintenance will minimize malfunctions
If you schedule annual professional maintenance on your air conditioning system, your technician likely will identify any of the aforementioned problems with your AC, then correct them.