Imagine you’re all set to relax at home on a leisurely summer day, with no urgent tasks to complete. Then you notice something that ruins your peaceful plans — your air conditioner is broken. Or is it? There might be something you can do.

There are three ways your air conditioner lets you know something is wrong: 

• It runs but won’t cool
• It won’t run at all
• It starts doing something weird

This post will guide you through an easy checklist that will either lead you to an easy, DIY fix or confirm that you need professional air conditioning repair.

Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Working at All

Did you check the breaker box?

Your AC may not be running because it isn’t getting electricity. Check the breaker box for a tripped fuse or blown breaker. Maybe the only thing between you and cool air is a flipped switch.

Did you check the thermostat?

Many things can interfere with your thermostat sending out the cooling signal, such as:

• It needs new batteries
• It isn’t set to “on” or “cool”
• The temperature isn’t set low enough to signal the unit to switch on
• The thermostat isn’t calibrated to measure temperature correctly

What is the temperature?

What’s the weather like right now? If the outside temperature is too low and the thermostat is set too high, the AC won’t turn on, even if you feel hot. If you’re in a heatwave and your AC is older, the unit could have overheated, throwing the overload switch.

Your Air Conditioner Runs but Isn’t Cooling

Did you check the evaporator coil?

Your AC evaporator coil is where the cooling happens. Icing over or freezing usually means it isn’t getting enough air (leaky or clogged ducts, broken fan, dirty air filter) or refrigerant levels are low. While you can switch your system off and melt the ice, it’s crucial to fix the reason the coil iced over in the first place.

Did you check the outdoor unit?

When troubleshooting your AC, you need to check the outside unit. If you can access the condenser coils there, check for ice — they can freeze, too. Also check for dirt, leaves, and other debris on and around the air conditioning unit.

Sweep and brush away visible dirt and trash, then gently rinse the remaining dirt with a hose — but don’t drench it! That will only introduce new problems.

Did you look at the drain line?

The condensate drain line drains the condensation around the evaporator coil and carries it outside. The drip backs up and starts leaking inside the house when the line gets clogged with dirt or mold.

Sometimes you’ll notice a decline in performance before you notice a leak. Sometimes you’ll see ice on your AC first. Call a professional for AC maintenance, including inspecting the drain line.

When did you last change the air filter?

Air filters reduce dust and allergens in the air, keeping HVAC systems from getting dirty and clogged, which impairs performance. But air filters need to be changed at least every few months.

A dirty and clogged air filter can freeze your evaporator coil, keep your AC from cooling, and eventually cause the system to overheat. Meanwhile, your energy bills will skyrocket.

The Air Conditioner Is Doing Something Weird

Is the AC unit too loud?

Air conditioners rarely make much noise. If yours starts running loudly or making strange sounds, something is wrong. The fan motor could be dirty or malfunctioning, or you could have a worn belt. Whatever it is, you need professional AC repair.

Is the AC unit leaking?

Air conditioners can leak water or refrigerant. If yours is leaking water from a clogged condensate drain line, follow the instructions above for a DIY fix. If it’s leaking refrigerant or run-off from melting ice without a clear and easily fixable cause, call an HVAC professional.

United Air Temp: Leaders in Home Comfort Since 1931

United Air Temp serves the Southeastern United States with quality work, upfront pricing, and satisfaction guaranteed on every job.

Contact us for on-time scheduling with our highly trained HVAC technicians.