Some problems with air conditioning systems can be resolved quickly. Before you reach for the phone to call for help, try these air conditioning troubleshooting tips first!
Double check that your thermostat is set in the ‘cool’ position, and that the temperature setting is set for 3-5 degrees lower than the current temperature is in your home. Listen to see if your air conditioning system kicks on. If you cannot hear it, you can check a supply register to see if you feel air coming through it. If your thermostat is an older model it may need fresh batteries.
Locate the breaker assigned to your air conditioning system (there could be one for the outdoor unit and one for the indoor unit) and move them to the ‘off’ position to reset. Wait a minute or two before resetting to the ‘on’ position. Note: it could take several minutes for your outdoor unit to start up.
There will be a power switch on both the indoor and outdoor unit - verify that they are in the ‘on’ position (if you have a furnace and air conditioning system, you will want the furnace switch to be in the ‘on’ position as well). Some outdoor units have a red ‘reset’ button. If you have one, push it to reset the system.
If your system has a condensate pump, check to see if it is full of water. If it is, make sure the pump is plugged in, the hose is attached, and it isn’t clogged.
Believe it or not, a dirty filter will not only decrease efficiency, but can also cause your system to malfunction. If your system was running and stopped, and you find that the filter was clogged, first change it and look to see if there is frost on the lines going to the outdoor unit. If you find frost, wait until the frost melts before trying to restart the system.
We’ll thoroughly evaluate your system, explain what is happening, go over solutions, and provide you all the information you need to make the decision that best fits your needs.