AC not Working? Try these Troubleshooting Tips

When some of the most common air conditioning problems arise in your home, you might be able to hold off on calling in the pros. Whether your AC is blowing hot air, or isn’t turning on at all, the problem 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, local air conditioner repair company.

If you’re seeing these common problems, there are some DIY solutions you can try:

Insufficient Cooling

When your AC is running, but the air that’s coming out isn’t as cool as you would like it to be, check to see whether the 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 limit 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 coming out of 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 company that 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.”

If none of these are the problem, you might have a faulty compressor, bad capacitor, or a broken relay, all of which require a service call from your local HVAC company (unless you happen to be a professional electrician).

Ice Forms 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 local HVAC company 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). This can be a good issue to discuss with your HVAC technician during your twice-yearly service appointments.

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, often before you even know anything is wrong. A little time and money spent on maintenance is a great investment in not only your home, but your peace of mind.

Ask Your Neighbors for a Recommendation

Whether you have questions about problems with your HVAC system, or you want to set up regular service for your home’s heating and cooling systems, at some point you will need to have a licensed contractor come out to see what’s going on with your AC. Trying to fix it a significant problem yourself without the skills and tools needed can cause further — and potentially expensive — damage.

If you don’t have a regular home comfort provider, talk to neighbors you trust about which Cincinnati HVAC company they use. Since we have been serving the Tri-State for over 70 years, they may suggest Jansen Heating & Cooling. We are reliable, experienced, local and friendly. We have built our business by providing great service and excellent products at a fair price for your neighbors. Your Jansen technician will always explain what is happening with your AC and answer any questions you may have. We can usually come out quickly to figure out how to fix any Cincinnati air conditioner that is not cooling.

What Customers Like About Jansen Heating & Cooling

We’re a local HVAC company that has built our business on providing great heating and cooling service across the Cincinnati area. Our prices are reasonable, and before we start making your repair, we will provide you with an estimate of the cost – and then stand by that estimate, even if the job turns out to be more complicated than your Jansen Heating & Cooling technician originally thought. We work quickly and clean up thoroughly after we are done. Our goal is always to make your equipment last as long as possible before it needs to be replaced. And our hope is that we can take on the stress and worry about your home heating and cooling system so that you don’t have to.