Pinpointing the problem and doing your own AC repair in Port Orchard, Washington, can appear like a lot of frustration.
But it doesn’t have to be. There are a few quick fixes you can try by yourself that could help you bypass an AC service call.
When you’re facing air conditioning troubles, try this diagnostic list before getting in touch with a heating and cooling repair expert like Air Masters Heating & Cooling.
Our professionals are available at 360-205-7115 when you are looking for experienced help. We provide emergency AC repair and repair most makes of central AC systems.
If you want to get an up to date air conditioning system, we also can do AC installation.
When you’re on the phone with us, consider an annual AC maintenance plan that might help you steer clear from later breakdowns. We can advise how often you should have air conditioner service.
Ready to get started finding the problem with your system? Use our easy manual below. Many of these steps don’t require any mechanical expertise.
Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of explanations why your air conditioning won’t cool: a blown circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t start when you have a blown breaker.
To determine if one has tripped, go to your home’s main electrical panel. You can locate this gray device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Confirm your hands and feet are dry before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker identified “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s tripped the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” location.
- Steadily transfer the switch back to the “on” spot. If it immediately triggers again, don’t reset it and contact us at 360-205-7115. A switch that keeps tripping might mean your house has an electrical problem.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your AC to work, it won’t activate.
The first point is ensuring it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning might not turn on. Or you may have. heated air moving from vents because the heater is going instead.
If you have a traditional thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the monitor is presenting garbled letters, buy a new thermostat.
- Ensure the right program is on the display. If you can’t update it, reverse it by decreasing the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if programming is wrong.
- Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is set the same as the house’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is set correctly, you should begin getting chilled air promptly.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, such as one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you’re still having problems, call us at 360-205-7115 for help.
Turn-Off Switch
Your AC probably has a shut-down lever by its outdoor unit. This lever is typically in a metal box mounted on your home. If your air conditioner has recently been worked on, the lever may have inadvertently been left in the “off” location.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan
Condensate drain pans hold the additional liquid your air conditioner takes out of the air. This pan can be situated either beneath or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can build up and trigger a safety setting to stop your air conditioner.
If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus water with a special pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware retailer.
If your pan involves a pump, find the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you might have to get a new pump. Call us at 360-205-7115 for support.
