During the height of summer, having an efficient air conditioner makes it feel like a stroll in the park to remain cool. But what happens if your air conditioner decides to quit working? Here are some typical causes of why your air conditioner isn’t operating and some solutions.
1. Your Thermostat Batteries Are Dead
The most basic things are often the most challenging. If your thermostat isn’t illuminating anything on the screen, check to see if the batteries need replacing. After giving your thermostat a fresh battery charge, make sure it’s set to “cool” rather than “heat” or “fan.”
2. The Indoor or Outdoor Disconnect Switch is off
Yes, there is a disconnect switch both inside and outside that controls your air conditioner. Your indoor switch is generally located in an attic or garage, while your outdoor switch is usually placed beside the outdoor air conditioner unit.
After either being accidentally banged or switched off, these might have been disabled inadvertently. It’s a simple way to ensure that your AC is operating properly if you check to see whether both of these are on.
3. You Have an Air Filter That Needs to be Changed
If you don’t change your air filter at least every 60 days, your air conditioner will not be able to function properly. If the air filter is unclean, your HVAC unit will not be able to operate efficiently. Air filters can accumulate dust over time, causing airflow to be restricted. Without enough ventilation, your system will freeze up and not function properly. To avoid this from happening in the first place, replace your air filter on a regular basis to maintain your air conditioner going!
4. The Air Coils are Dirty
Fun Fact: Air conditioners, rather than adding coolness to the air, remove heat from the air to keep it cool. They are able to do so because of two AC coils: one in your indoor unit and one in the outdoor unit. If the air coils are clogged, they won’t be able to efficiently remove heat from your house. Instead, your air conditioner will circulate heated air without being able to really cool your home. To prevent this, keep your HVAC unit’s coils clean using one of our AC experts. We’ll be able to keep your coils clean and you can stay comfortable!
5. The Coolant is Low
Your air conditioner’s refrigerant is what keeps the coils in your unit cool, and as air blows over them, they work to lower the temperature of your home. Your house will not be able to get cold if you don’t have enough refrigerant. If your AC unit is nearly out of coolant, you may see the following signs: Warm or hot air coming from your vents, high energy bills, or a long wait to cool your home. If your coolant runs low, you’ll need one of our HVAC professionals to refill it and check for leaks in your system.
6. Your Compressor Needs to be Repaired or Replaced
The compressor in your air conditioner compresses and circulates the coolant through its condenser coils and evaporator by passing through it. If this component of the unit fails, we recommend consulting with one of our HVAC professionals to diagnose the problem and replace or repair the compressor.
By allowing our team of HVAC experts to service your HVAC equipment twice a year, you can avoid all of these issues. A maintenance check will discover little problems before they turn into greater and more expensive repairs. Get in touch with us now to book an appointment!
