You probably know the feeling: it’s a hot day outside. You want nothing more than to chill out in the comfort of your own home. But when you try to find some relief, but your air conditioning is not turning on, what can you do about it?
Well, fortunately, there are several things you can try before calling in professionals. These simple troubleshooting tips help you save time and money and keep your home cool in the process!
1. Check the Thermostat
A faulty thermostat is one of the most common issues with air conditioning units.
Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest to resolve and a simple trick when your air conditioning is not turning on.
First, check your thermostat is working and that your unit is set to blowing cool air. You’ll want to make sure your target temperature is lower than the current temperature in your room.
If the monitor on your thermostat isn’t working, you’ll want to change the batteries. If your thermostat is broken altogether, you’ll need to consider replacing it.
2. If Your Air Conditioning is Not Turning On, Check the Electric
All air conditioning units have an emergency shutoff switch.
Sometimes this can get pressed by accident, preventing your unit from starting up. This shutoff button looks a little like a light switch and can be found either inside or outside your home. Internal switches are often found in crawl spaces or closets, whereas external switches are normally located close to the outdoor AC unit.
If that doesn’t work, you should also check if your circuit breaker has tripped. Find the main circuit breaker in your home, and turn the switch back to the “on” position. If your AC unit keeps tripping the switch, you should consult a professional for help.
3. Check for Blockages
Old or dirty air filters can impede airflow and even stop your unit from turning on. You should change your filter every 90 days, but some filters might need to be replaced more frequently.
A buildup of ice can also prevent your unit from working correctly. If you find an icy blockage, you should wait for it to thaw before using your AC to prevent any damage. To stop ice from building up, make sure you have a new filter, a clean coil, and enough refrigerant in the system.
Your air conditioner may also have a blocked condensate line. A condensate line stops water from building up in your AC unit and drains it away through a tube. Sometimes this tube can get blocked up by dirt and debris, causing water to build up.
If this happens, the wet switch in your AC unit will cause it to shut down. You should clean your condensate line regularly and consider installing an EZ Trap to prevent water from building up in the system.
Nothing worked! The Air Conditioning is not turning on! What now?
If none of these troubleshooting steps helped to solve the problem, you might want to consider calling a professional.
Here at Action Air Conditioning, our team of qualified HVAC technicians has your back when it comes to keeping your AC in top working order. From emergency repairs to regular annual maintenance, we do it all.
Contact us today, and let’s get your AC back to where it needs to be!