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 tripped circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioner won’t start when you have an overloaded breaker.
To determine if one has tripped, go to your home’s main electrical panel. You can spot this metallic box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you check the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker marked “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s tripped, the breaker will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily shift the breaker back to the “on” spot. If it instantaneously flips again, don’t touch it and call us at 530-885-8081. A breaker that keeps turning off may signal your home has an electrical issue.
Inaccurate Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your air conditioner to run, it won’t turn on.
The most important part is ensuring it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning will probably not switch on. You might also have warm air coming from vents because the heat is on instead.
If you’re using a regular thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is clear. If the readout is presenting jumbled letters, buy a new thermostat.
- Check the right program is displaying. If you can’t update it, reverse it by lowering the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is incorrect.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is identical to the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should receive cool air quickly.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, like one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still having problems, contact us at 530-885-8081 for assistance.
Turn-Off Switch
Your system usually has a power-cutting lever around its outdoor unit. This device is commonly in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your air conditioner has recently been fixed, the lever may have unintentionally been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans hold the surplus liquid your equipment takes out of the air. This pan is located either under or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a clog or blocked drain, water can build up and prompt a safety control to switch off your system.
If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the additional liquid with a custom pan-cleaning capsule. You can purchase these tabs at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you could need to install a new pump. Reach us at 530-885-8081 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is on but not providing cold air, its airflow may be obstructed. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be restricted by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Replace Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can create countless issues, including:
- Lower airflow
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Inconsistent cooling
- Higher utility costs
- Making your system stop working faster
We propose changing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, shut off your AC totally and pull out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be situated in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to the light. If you can’t see any light, you certainly should get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your AC Equipment
Brush, plants and bushes can block your condensing system. This can limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and impact your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit working smoothly again.
- Switch off the electrical current totally at the breaker or outdoor switch.
- Clear greenery debris around the unit. Once you’ve removed bigger refuse within a two-foot area, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the unit’s fins. Deformed fins can also impact effectiveness.
- Use a hose nozzle to gingerly clean the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
- Turn the power back on.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When cooling equipment doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your residence.
Here are a few signs that your equipment is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to lower the temperature in your space and you’re constantly turning down the thermostat.
- Air conditioning blowing through the registers isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re hearing fizzing or bubbling racket when the air conditioning is on.
- Your evaporator coil is frozen on account of having an issue handling heat.
Suspect your unit is leaking refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service specialist to take care of the leak and refill the proper level of refrigerant in your equipment. Contact us at 530-885-8081 for assistance.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not getting enough chilled air, there’s likely a clog or detachment inside your cooling system.
- The beginning place is checking your air filter. Replace it if it’s dirty.
- Make sure the ductwork is open throughout your home.
- If you’re still not experiencing ample chilly air, you should have your duct system examined by a specialist like Forster Heating. Your ducts may need to be repaired or rejoined in tricky areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.