Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of explanations why your AC unit won’t start: an overloaded circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t start when you have a tripped breaker.
To check if one has blown, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker marked “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” location. If it’s overloaded, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily transfer the lever back to the “on” spot. If it immediately flips again, don’t reset it and call us at 204-728-0180. A breaker that keeps turning off could indicate your house has electrical trouble.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your equipment to run, it won’t turn on.
The main step is making sure it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not turn on. You may also receive heated air blowing from vents because the furnace is running instead.
If you have a digital thermostat:
- Swap out the batteries if the readout is clear. If the monitor is presenting jumbled characters, get a new thermostat.
- Ensure the right setting is showing. If you can’t update it, reverse it by lowering the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is incorrect.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat matches the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is adjusted accurately, you should begin getting refreshing air fast.
If you have a smart thermostat, like one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 204-728-0180 for assistance.
Turn-Off Switch
Your air conditioner usually has a power-cutting device around its outdoor unit. This switch is generally in a metal box hung on your house. If your equipment has recently been maintained, the device may have inadvertently been turned off.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans hold the additional condensation your equipment takes out of the air. This pan is located either beneath or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or blocked drain, water can become concentrated and prompt a safety feature to turn off your equipment.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the additional water with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can purchase these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan includes a pump, find the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Reach us at 204-728-0180 for help.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is running but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be clogged. Or it may not have sufficient refrigerant.
Clogged Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be restricted by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can cause a lot of problems, like:
- Lower cooling
- Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Increased electricity expenses
- Making your system wear out sooner
We propose installing new flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced your filter, turn off your equipment completely and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be located in a connected filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see any light, you need to buy a new filter.
4 Steps to Cleaning Your Cooling Unit
Brush, vegetation and shrubbery can obstruct your condensing system. This could restrict its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s how you can get your equipment working smoothly again.
- Switch off power fully at the breaker or outdoor device.
- Clear plant debris around the unit. Once you’ve removed all the clutter within a two-foot space, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the equipment’s fins. Kinked fins can also impact effectiveness.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly remove gunk off the fins from inside the equipment. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
- Turn on the power.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When AC systems don’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your space.
Here are a couple of indications that your system is losing refrigerant:
- It takes too long to cool your home and you’re constantly lowering the thermostat.
- Air moving through the registers isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re experiencing fizzing or bubbling sounds when the air conditioning works.
- Your evaporator coil is iced over because it’s having trouble handling heat.
Worried your equipment is leaking refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service professional to fix the leak and refill the proper level of refrigerant in your equipment. Reach us at 204-728-0180 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not having adequate amounts of chilled air, there’s usually a clog or disconnection somewhere in your cooling unit.
- The first step is looking at your air filter. Replace it if it’s dusty.
- Make sure the ductwork is open around your home.
- If you’re still not getting ample chilly air, you should have your ducts inspected by a professional like Brandon Heating and Plumbing. Your duct system could need to be serviced or hooked up again in hard-to-reach locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.