Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a couple of explanations why your central AC system won’t start: a tripped circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a shut off switch or a full condensate drain pan.
Overloaded Circuit Breaker
Your AC won’t work when you have an overloaded breaker.
To find out if one has blown, locate your home’s main electrical panel. You can find this metallic device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Confirm your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s tripped, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Steadily move the breaker back to the “on” location. If it instantaneously trips again, don’t touch it and reach us at 803-220-0761. A breaker that keeps turning off might mean your residence has an electrical problem.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your AC to run, it won’t switch on.
The most important part is ensuring it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner might not switch on. You may also have heated air coming from vents because the heat is on instead.
If you have a digital thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the screen is showing garbled numbers, buy a new thermostat.
- Ensure the right program is displaying. If you can’t update it, reverse it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is incorrect.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is identical to the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is adjusted accurately, you should receive cool air quickly.
If you’re using a smart thermostat, like one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, contact us at 803-220-0761 for assistance.
Shut-Down Switch
Your cooling equipment probably has a shut-down lever by its outdoor unit. This switch is commonly in a metal box attached to your home. If your equipment has recently been maintained, the device may have inadvertently been turned off.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans keep the surplus water your AC takes out of the air. This pan can be positioned either below or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or clogged drain, water can accumulate and trigger a safety setting to turn off your air conditioner.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the extra condensation with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can purchase these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan has a pump, locate the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you may need to install a new pump. Contact us at 803-220-0761 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your equipment is going but not providing cold air, its airflow might be blocked. Or it may not have sufficient refrigerant.
Obstructed Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be decreased by a blocked air filter or dirty condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can lead to a lot of troubles, such as:
- Reduced cooling
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Bigger cooling costs
- Leading your system to break down more quickly
We suggest replacing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced your filter, turn off your system completely and take out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be situated in an adjoining filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.
Tilt the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see through it, you need to get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your Air Conditioning System
Weeds, grass and bushes can block your condensing unit. This may limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and change your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system operating well again.
- Switch off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outside lever.
- Remove yard waste around the unit. Once you’ve cleared larger debris within a two-foot space, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dust from the equipment’s fins. Deformed fins can also impact capability.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
- Turn the power back on.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When cooling equipment doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from the air.
Here are a couple of indications that your unit is leaking refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to lower the temperature in your space and you’re constantly lowering the thermostat.
- Air blowing through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re experiencing fizzing or bubbling sounds when the AC runs.
- Your evaporator coil is iced over because it’s having trouble handling warmth.
Suspect your equipment is seeping refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service expert to fix the leak and restore the right measurement of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at 803-220-0761 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not getting adequate amounts of chilled air, there’s potentially a blockage or separation somewhere in your air conditioning equipment.
- The first place is looking at your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dusty.
- Make sure the registers are open across your residence.
- If you’re still not experiencing sufficient chilly air, you should have your ductwork inspected by a expert like US Air Heating and Cooling. Your ductwork might need to be fixed or relinked in tricky areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.