My Air Conditioner Isn’t Working…Now What?
Your home needs to be cool and comfortable during warm months. But what happens when it isn’t? What should you do before you get in touch with a trained professional?
It Isn’t Cooling Well Enough
If you find that your air conditioner is working, but the home isn’t cool, there may be a simple solution. Your central air has a filter. If it looks particularly dirty, replace it immediately. A dirty air filter could make the compressor or fans fail prematurely, costing you extra money. You might also check and vacuum the vents and intakes for your system. A build-up of dust in these will keep your home from having the kind of cool you need.
It Doesn’t Turn on at All
There are several things that could be an issue here. First, check the thermostat to make sure that the system is turned on. It could be easily bumped, causing it to turn off the air conditioner. Also, head to the breaker box and check to see if the breaker has tripped for your AC. It’s usually on a dedicated switch. You might also check to see if it blew a fuse as that can happen with older electrical systems. Also check the unit to see if there is a separate breaker. That may trip, and simply need to be turned on again. You should also check to see if the thermostat itself is working correctly. Many thermostats have batteries that need to be replaced periodically. If replacing them doesn’t fix the problem, another option to check your thermostat is to open it up. Make sure the power is off before unscrewing the wires from the Y terminal. Then turn the power back on and hold the loose wires by the insulation only. Touch them to the bare end of the R terminal and hold them there for around two minutes. If your compressor turns on, then the thermostat is faulty and needs replacing. You might also check to see if the air conditioner is draining properly. Most units have a pipe that drains excess water. If it’s clogged up, it could impact how it runs. Clear this pipe out so it can drain and you may solve the problem.
Get Help from an AC Pro in the Minneapolis Area
If these tips just aren’t working, then you’ll want a professional air conditioning contractor to look it over. Give us a call and set an appointment. Our AC techs will look at it, diagnose the problem and give you solutions to fix it, with pricing up front so you know what you’re facing. We want to help keep you cool in the warm months. Let us help you keep your system working the way it should be.
